Still no basis for Gypsy and Traveller pitch expansion
18th December 2008
Anne Main has reacted to today's report by the independent panel conducting the Examination in Public into the Review on Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England.
Anne Main, MP for St Albans, has reacted to today's report by the independent panel conducting the Examination in Public into the Review on Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England.
The report, issued following the Examination in Public process in the Autumn, concluded that the projected increase in Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision for St Albans should be reduced from 33 pitches to 28. It also noted that there had been an overestimate of the need for increased pitches in the South and West Hertfordshire area, of which St Albans is a part.
Anne said:
"Whilst I welcome the news that the panel decided that the proposed increase in pitches for our area should not be so large, this is only a small reduction and I still maintain that there is no proven need for extra pitches in our area. I note that even the panel in this examination conceded that the need for sites in our area had been overestimated.
I still firmly maintain that this exercise is driven by the Government's drive to deliver more Gypsy and Traveller sites and I do not feel there is any firm factual or evidential for the proposed expansion. These figures are just plucked out of the air.
I note that the report will now be considered by the Government, who will be publishing proposed changes for public consultation in spring 2009. Whilst I know many will share my sense that our views are often ignored, I will, of course, be submitting my comments to this consultation, and would encourage my constituents to do so.
One aspect of the report that I found very worrying was the possibility of Green Belt revisions allowing for even more sites beyond 2011. I will continue to strongly resist any revision to our Green Belt for any purpose as it is a valuable environmental resource, and once it is gone it is gone forever."
Link to press release and report on Government Office of the East of England website."
