Travellers could move if Council offers alternative site (From Bucks Free Press)

Travellers could move if Council offers alternative site

12:26am Friday 24th April 2009 in News By Simon Farr

A SPOKESMAN for the travellers who moved onto a green belt site in Princes Risborough told a public meeting they would move if Wycombe District Council found them an alternative site.

Around 200 people packed into the Royal British Legion club on Thursday, while a further 150 gathered on the streets, as angry residents put their questions to councillors, police and a spokesman from the Gypsy Council.

Nine Gypsy families moved onto the site over the Easter weekend and immediately began “unauthorised” construction on the site, which they own, resulting in WDC issuing a temporary stop notice to prevent further building work.

But speaking on behalf of the travellers, Joseph Jones told the packed crowd they were “just looking for somewhere to call home” and would move if another site was found.

He said: “If the people of Princes Risborough felt strongly enough that they don’t want them here then I am confident, if the council found a site more suitable, that they would move in a second.”

He also hit back at claims the travellers would pollute the site and said: “There hasn’t been a designated traveller site in the Wycombe district since the closure of the High Heaven site.

“A few of these people used to live at that site and they just want somewhere to live but the Council don’t have any where for them to go”

WDC development control manager Alastair Nicholson said a study was currently being carried out by SEERA on the matter.

Mr Nicholson also confirmed that the council has made a Requisition for Information request as it continues to carry out a full investigation into the breach of planning rules.

He added: “I know people want immediate action but it’s a case of more haste and less speed.

“If we do not carry out the due process and carry out a thorough investigation, gather all the facts and review our options, then we could endanger our position.

“Please trust us - we are doing everything we can to see this process through.”

He also said the matter would take “months not days” and the council are expecting the travellers to apply for retrospective planning permission in the coming days.

MP David Lidington also attended the meeting and called for residents to remain focused on the breach of planning guidelines instead of worrying about crime.

He said: “My advice to residents is to put their emotions to one side and remain focused on the issues at hand, which is the breech of planning rules.

“There is a lot of hear-say going around at the moment with people worrying about crime and anti-social behaviour, but the authorities can only work on evidence and will deal with it if it arises.”

Inspector Ray Wilks told the audience that police presence would “remain as normal” and that there had not been in rise in crime since the travellers' arrival.

In closing, meeting chairman and acting leader of WDC, David Carroll, thanked the audience for their calmness and hailed the summit as a great success to applause from the gathered residents.