calnetalk.com

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2660 Status:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/7359847.stm

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk...t_to_be_considered_by_council.php
heard this on the radio .one would be in oxford road and the other down abbered.lane

although not a final discision i hope they do not come.

Martin Peck · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

We had uproar for several years about one being opened just outside Bridgwater. It was built and no gypsies use it .
Martin

Robert Baggs · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

I object to this as I live in Oxford Road and both proposed sites are a stone's throw from my house. I have already been contacted by local residents and businesses asking what can be done about it. "The dot" has already ensured my house is losing value, it will lose more and the security in the area will need stepping up!

I have emailed Calne Town Councillors, (those whose email addresses are on the Calne Town Council web-site) and also local MPs asking for their views on this and, if they object, what they propose to do about it. I will update if I hear more.

There is, I am told, a meeting at North Wilts District Council offices tomorrow night at which this may be discussed.

Best wishes

Robert
_________________
http://robertbaggs.blogspot.com/

Robert Baggs · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

Further details can be found here:-

http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/news-article.htm?newsid=50011

Robert
_________________
http://robertbaggs.blogspot.com/

Bear · Bentlian Oldboy Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 826 Status:

What is this world coming to once again we are cowtowing to a minority who believe they have a right to a camp site. I am not a gypsy whatever that is or a traveller so would I be able to park my caravan up there for free. I think not therefore I would have go to a campsite and pay the owner for the privilege which is what these wastes of space should do. Get a job pay taxes and help those who truly need help not a bunch of scrounging b*?(ar*. That wont something for nothing I give up on this country I think I will emigrate

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2660 Status:

certainly dont want here .and why are we paying for it??????

this has to be stopped

Robert Baggs · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

I have had further confirmation today that the favourite site is the Oxford Road one - I am obtaining a copy of the report which apparently is very biased towards this site and will update in due course.

Alledgedly there are also some very shady dealings going on between NWDC and Humberts, the estate agent!

And what will NWDC spend the £250,000 grant provided for this on?
_________________
http://robertbaggs.blogspot.com/

Robert Baggs · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

The Reports on the sites can be found here

http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/inde...es_reports_executive_24_04_08.htm
_________________
http://robertbaggs.blogspot.com/

Top Dog · Site Moderator Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 1598 Status:

what can be done to get this stopped Robert ?
_________________
Regards
Top Dog.

Robert Baggs · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

A concerted effort by the people of Calne to protest and make it clear to our councillors and those at NWDC that they do not want this.

The unfortunate thing is that it seems the decision has already been made except for the planning approvals etc. as evidenced by the lack of awareness that this was happening until 2 days before a meeting to discuss it. Even if Calne Town councillors object to any planning application NWDC councillors can over-ride it, as has happened in the past.

I am concerned that the apathy shown at elections will not help with any campaign that is organised but I am sure there are things we can do.

A friend of mine has written the following which gives some hope all is not lost. Unfortunately I am unable to get to the meeting tonight to read this:-

OBJECTION TO PROPOSAL FOR PERMANENT GYPSY / TRAVELLER SITE AT CALNE (SITE 2).

The council officers have proposed the undervalue disposal of a piece of land at Oxford Road, Calne for the location of a gypsy / traveller site.

I would like to raise objection to this site being considered for development as a residential site for gypsies on the following grounds:

The officer is recommending that the council dispose of its freehold interest in the site subject to contract. The report highlights that this disposal will be at an undervalue financially. The council, via it’s land agent, has received a first approach from a North Wiltshire based business that is keen to expand its operations and is seeking land on which to do so. The owners of the business have identified this patch of land as most suitable for their needs and would bring increased employment opportunities to the town of Calne. The business is very unlikely to further its plans to locate to this site or any nearby land if it is located within easy reach of a gypsy / traveller site. The land is allocated as employment land in the Local Plan and should remain so, in order to capitalise on business opportunities for the employment benefit of the people of North Wiltshire.

The report hints that it will be relatively easy to reallocate dedicated employment land for the purpose of what is essentially housing. This makes a mockery of the local planning system controls.

The officer is recommending that no action be taken on any other site at the present time and that only Site 2 be moved forward. It would appear that, as far as officers are concerned, the decision is made.

The report (sec 3.2) states that the land survey highlighted six public and nine private sites in the district that may be suitable and that the survey is recent (1.1). Yet in paragraph 3.3 the officer seeks to push councillors to ignore the potential of the 9 private sites and the report pushes for decision on Site 2, Calne. The report attempts to rush members into a decision, rather than fully and exhaustively investigating the potential of all sites identified by the survey. Members should reject this report and refer it back to the officers for further investigation.

Site 2 is an undeveloped green field, allocated as employment land. The siting of a traveller camp on the land will not only bring in less money to the council than using it for employment use, but has the potential to create an eyesore on what is, after all, a main entrance to the second largest market town in North Wiltshire. The site is not Brownfield nor untidy or derelict land (3.1 point 6), – surely there must be a more suitable patch of land within the district that can actually be “enhanced” by a site development.

Point 3.1 (11) – there is no mention of assessment of any sites currently tolerated by the local planning authority. The report should make it clear whether there are existing unauthorised traveller sites in the district and whether these have been assessed and can be made suitable using the grant aid from Government.

I am sure that there are many more people here that have an objection to the principle of North Wiltshire land being sold undervalue for the rushed development of a traveller site. This is, of course, a very sensitive and difficult decision for members to make. I plead with you not to rush into any decision that fails to fully explore the full number of potential sites and which will have such an affect on the local population. The report is not comprehensive and should be referred back to the officers for further investigation.

The old adage “decide in haste, repent at leisure” seems quite appropriate here. Don’t let your electors down.

All I suggest is that we see what happens at tonights meeting and what NWDC plan next and then look at how we can mount a campaign to prevent this happening. Leafletting all homes and businesses in the area with properly prepared information would be a useful start. This can be actioned quickly and under a non-political banner as there is more at stake than political brownie points. Anyone know a good and cheap (or even free!) printer?
_________________
http://robertbaggs.blogspot.com/