Friday, 12 June 2009 16:30
Last Updated on Monday, 20 July 2009 13:43
Written by Administrator
Special Report on SLAM! members recent meeting with Mark Harper MP - 6th June 2009.
MH admitted that our case is not an isolated one and that the issue of travellers setting up home on land illegally is a National problem. If anyone else outside the travelling community took such action, they would face stiff penalties.
MH said that he understood our frustration about why nothing appeared to have been done at an earlier stage – but this was due to the way the current system is set up and that the District Council's officers needed to make absolutely sure that they got their response legally correct. MH also suggested that would be very important for us to go into detail with the District Council's officers at the residents meeting on Monday 8th June 2009 to make sure the lengthy legal process was clearly outlined to us. He also re-iterated that ultimately the only way to make sure that an eviction is possible, assuming this decision was taken at some point by the Council or a Government Inspector, is if there's considerably better provision within the District and County for Gypsy and Traveller families.
There then followed a question and answer session and edited highlights are reproduced below:
Q. We need to be aware of the number of successful prosecutions and the numbers of evictions both in our area, and nationally. Are these available?
A. MH to find out.
Q. Are you convinced that the Forest of Dean District Council will not grant retrospective planning permission, especially as this could be seen to be the easy and cheapest option for the council?
A. MH said that the recent objection to the development of the overland high pressure gas pipeline structure near Corse proved that with a robust presentation of facts, cases could be won in our area. He is confident of our councils’ track record. He went on to say that we must be aware of the fact that the Government Inspector answers to no one and so need to consider the site's likely future. This is likely to be a long process, however, we must ascertain a time line as quickly as possible for the development. MH confirmed that he can influence councils to form a county plan and that we must lobby our county councillors as well as Len Lawton. MH and Len pointed out that by the time the travellers site appeal will be heard, there should be other sites available in the District which will aid a refusal.
Q. What type of sites need to be provided, bearing in mind the costs involved?
A. Obviously the sites must be appropriate and also acceptable to those people who'll be living on them. This is the right of Gypsy and Traveller families but with those rights must also come responsibilities.
Q Its a very large field and only around half seems to have been developed so far, so is it possible to prevent more caravans arriving?
A. The Stop Notice should address this issue and breaching the terms of a Stop Notice is a criminal offence. Cllr Len Lawton added that if there's no appeal after 12 weeks, the Enforcement Notice will come into effect requiring the site's occupants to return the field to the condition it was in previously. The Stop Notice remains valid throughout. Head of Planning Peter Williams inspected the site on 5th June, this is the ‘line in the sand’, if anything changes on the site after this visit – he will be able to bring a prosecution.
Q. In your experience what will be the best way for us to present a case to the Planning Inspector ?
A. We must present all evidence on a local level. It must be robust and from the Council. We will be able to put forward our views at a future public enquiry. This may require a barrister, and we should consider the pros and cons for appointing one. Cllr Lawton also added that it should be noted that if the Planning Inspector does not deems it neccessary to hold a public enquiry, then there will not be one. There is no absolute right to one.
Q. To whom should be addressing our correspondence at the moment.
A. MH, Cllr Lawton, Peter Williams and Marie Rosenthal. They should be at the residents meeting on Monday. At which meeting we need to present facts and make them clearly understand what is happening, focus their mind and make them accountable. Seeing the depth of public feeling will make it harder to ignore us. We should feel free to write to the members of the planning committee – be passionate, firm, fact based, clear and focused. If we want to address other MPs or ministers we should go through MH. MH can put pressure on MP’s, and they must respond to him. If we write to individual MP’s then there's a danger our concerns may not be dealt with by the person we were hoping for. Write to MH and he will pass the request on to the right person.
Q. Should the planning laws be changed ?
A. Yes, but it's highly unlikely to be done by the present government. This is not an unprecedented case. It needs to be easier for Local authorities to enforce action to prevent such occurrences and a Conservative administration would be keen to do this.
Q. What if the site gets obtains Planning Consent? Can it be expanded?
A. Details that we are obtaining from other sites in England show that of course this is a possibility, so we must offer all evidence and make sure Environmental Services are also involved. If planning is given, the size of site should be specified at that time.
The SLAM Chairman then thanked Mark Harper for his prompt response to our concerns and his swift attendance to the meeting. Those in attendance showed their appreciation in the usual manner.