Gipsy site complaint
9:00am Friday 29th August 2008
A WINSFORD man has branded proposals to build a permanent traveller site on an old tip ‘an insult to gipsies’.
Vale Royal Borough Council has earmarked New Road in Winsford as one of four possible locations to build the camp.
But Terry Lacey, who lives in Wades Lane, said it would be cruel to put travellers on the former tip which backs on to sewage works The 52-year-old said: “The proposal to use the old tip as a caravan site in completely barmy. The noise and pollution caused by the nearby factories would be a nightmare, not to mention the smell from the sewage works.
“Speeding salt wagons, especially in winter, would be a danger and Whitegate Way would be dismantled as a walkway of natural beauty.
“It would be an insult to the gipsy community to have people living in that kind of environment, Vale Royal Borough Council needs to rethink its clumsy plans and offer the travelling community a cleaner and greener site.”
Mr Lacey now plans to lobby the council to come up with an alternative suggestion.
He said: “I’ve got about 150 people on board with me who all think the same. We’re going to get a petition together and get our voices heard.”
An online consultation has been launched to help find a site for a permanent gipsy and traveller camp.
Vale Royal Borough Council has identified the need for between 17 and 23 permanent pitches across the borough, between now and 2011.
Possible options include sites in Chester Road, Sandiway, Bradford Road in Winsford, New Road in Winsford and Ship Street in Frodsham.
The consultation will give residents, businesses and interested parties a chance to give their opinions and put forward any suggestions they may have of their own. To take part, visit valeroyal.gov.uk.