Agenda item

To scrutinise the progression of the project, subject to planning and Cabinet approval, to enable the scheme to be developed in line with the capital budget and to scrutinise the construction contract with the preferred bidder for the delivery of the Cledford Hall project.

Karen Carsberg, Head of Housing and Dawn Taylor, Cheshire Gypsy & Traveller Coordinator attended the Committee to present this item.

The presentation was to advise the Committee on the process taken so far and the planned next steps.

The Committee were advised that there was a need for:

• 32 Gypsy and Traveller residential pitches;
• 5-10 Transit site pitch provision; and
• 5 Travelling Showperson Plots.

The Committee heard that unauthorised encampments have fluctuated over the last couple of years and have continued to throughout the pandemic and lockdown period.  Unauthorised encampments, where Gypsy and Travellers camp without permission on land they don’t own, can lead to tensions within the community.  50% of the work of the Cheshire and Warrington Traveller Team related to unauthorised encampments.

Two visiting Members spoke on this item.  Councillor Carol Bulman spoke as the Ward Councillor and advised that she was convinced that a site was needed but that it needed to be in a suitable place.  Councillor Bulman expressed concern about the viability of the identified site in Middlewich, given that Cledford Lane is very long, is a thoroughfare for lorries and there were ditches either side making it unsuitable for pedestrians.  Councillor Bulman also noted the strong Romany community with a historical connection to the town and did not wish to see that unsettled.

Councillor Janet Clowes asked questions that related to the planning application for the Cledford site, specifically if there was anything by Historic England that could delay a planning application, and whether there were any differences to the planning application previously submitted in 2015.

The Head of Housing advised there was a team working on the historic assets as part of the planning process.  An archaeological survey was planned but several surveys prior to this had suggested there would not be anything to find.  The barn had been removed from the new planning application, but the 10 pitches, to accommodate 20 caravans, and a standalone amenity block remained.

The Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions and there was some key discussion that included:

• Understanding how the various sites worked across Cheshire and Warrington, and how each Local Authority has a statutory duty to assess the accommodation needs for the Gypsy and Traveller community;
• The budget across Cheshire and Warrington was £2.2million.  £1.5million related to the Cheshire East contribution, including a £550k Homes England Grant.  There was a budget which had been identified for the development of a transit site.
• The expectation that some Local Authorities will meet the shortfall of housing through planning policies, it was not expected that Local Authorities will develop residential pitches themselves, but through the private sector;
• That while there is no transit site provision, there is more likelihood of unauthorised encampments moving into these areas;
• If transit sites are full, Local Authorities would have to accommodate an unauthorised encampment;
• The needs assessment indicated a need for ten pitches and the authority needed to work on that basis- it was noted that each pitch could accommodate two caravans;
• Transit sites offer good value for money. They allow the Gypsy and Traveller communities appropriate accommodation which they will pay for.  This in turn relieves stress to the local community and businesses; and
• The potential for a booklet to be given to Members to promote good community relationships and a better understanding of unauthorised encampments

RESOLVED:

That Karen and Dawn be thanked for their attendance and presentation and that it be duly noted by the Committee.