BACK TO SQUARE ONE IN QUEST FOR STOP-OFF SITE FOR GYPSY AND TRAVELLER COMMUNITY

                                                                    

Unauthorised encampment on field near Pennells garden centre

IT'S back to the drawing board on a potential stopping-off site  in North East Lincolnshire for the Gypsy and Traveller community.

In November 2019, North East Lincolnshire Council drew up a shortlist of five potential sites in Grimsby to accommodate up to 30 caravans and appropriate amenities:

• Land of former Nunsthorpe Youth Centre (demolished) 

• Land at Winchester Avenue / Torksey Drive, Nunsthorpe 

• Land under Cleethorpe Road Flyover West 

• Wellington Street Car Park 

• Garibaldi Street Car Park 

But at a scrutiny panel meeting last night, it emerged that all had been deemed unsatisfactory based on such criteria as flood risk, inadequate vehicular access or police concerns.

These considerations were included in a consultant's report supplied, in part, to councillors but not to the Press and Public.

Contrary to public perception, the consultant concluded that Gypsy and Traveller community visits are decreasing, thereby reducing "transient need".

Instead, NELC will now work towards a system of "negotiated stopping agreements" and a "toleration approach".

Whether this will incorporate stop-off visits at council car parks and school playing fields remains to be determined.

The topic is due to come for more detailed discussion at the June meeting of NELC's cabinet.