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Row breaks out over 'gypsy list'
'It's not a done deal' say council cheifs as critics hit out at plans
A shortlist of 12 locations where Central Beds Council is considering building permanent traveller sites has been released.
The authority's development strategy task force met in private on Monday, December 7, to recommend 12 locations for gypsy and traveller sites in the north of the council's boundary.
Parish councillors were then consulted about the site locations at a meeting of the council's gypsy and traveller task force this Monday.
But opposition to the shortlist is already mounting.
James Shepherd, 53, a member of Cranfield Ratepayers Action Group, said: "In Cranfield we are already fighting for facilities, the village is growing too large, too quickly.
"The electricity supply can't cope, the water supply can't cope, schools, doctors, dentists in the village already cannot cope.
"Where are these people going to educate their children, where are they going to work, it's just a no no."
Central Beds Council leader Tricia Turner told the Times & Citizen in September that she always expected opposition to the gypsy and traveller site consultation, but the authority has also come under fire for the way it has dealt with the process behind closed doors.
Andrew Phillips, chairman of Haynes Parish Council, said: "It seems to be being rushed together at a time of the year when coming up to Christmas all the councillors are busy.
"I think the parish clerk is going to write to Central Beds Council expressing concerns that there was so little time to put a response together."
The shortlist of sites, which was discussed at the gypsy and traveller task force on Monday (December 14), and will go forward for scrutiny, is not released until Monday (December 21), but a spokesman for Central Beds Council said there would be no substantial changes.
Councillor Tom Nicols, portfolio holder for sustainable development, said: "I would like to stress to residents that no final decision has been taken on the gypsy and traveller sites for Central Beds.
"The views of local people are vitally important to this process and we are encouraging local people to take part in this consultation and raise their comments on potential sites in their area."
The shortlist will now be considered by the sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, January 4, before a full public consultation begins on Monday, January 25.
The shortlisted sites are:
1 Old Acres, Barton Road, in Pulloxhill
Woodside Caravan Park, in Hatch
Hermitage Lane, Hillside Farm off Westoning Road, in Greenfield
Land rear of 197 Hitchin Road, in Arlesey
Long Lake Meadow, in Seddington
Oak Tree Nursery & Magpie Farm, in Upper Caldecote
Land north of Cranfield Road, north of Leys Farm, in Cranfield
Land between the A421 and Woburn Road junction, in Marston Moretaine
Land south of Dunton Lane, in Biggleswade
Land south of Clifton and east of New Road in Clifton
Land between Common Road and Myers Road, south of the gypsy and traveller site in Potton
Sutton Storage Compound, south of Sutton
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Friday 25 May 2012
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