WE SAY: THREE SITES ARE TOO MANY FOR HOUGHTON REGIS!

Find Out More

• Government Policy Planning For Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, 2006
  
  
• Why are the sites needed here, anyway? See East of England document: Consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Policy Proposed Changes.
  
  
• Where are the proposed local gypsy and traveller sites?
  Check out our special Google Map.
  
  
• Local Plans
  The proposed traveller site plans are available to download from the former South Beds District Council website.
  
  
• Should there be travellers sites in Houghton Regis? Vote now! or Cllr Alan Winter's blog page.
  
  
• Read the Core Strategy documents, which call for gypsy and traveller sites, among other things.
  
  
• Read other Views and Opinions
  
  
• petitions.number10.gov.uk hosts a number of interesting petitions. Enter "traveller sites" in the search box.
  
  

This petition has now been presented to Central Bedfordshire Council.

The response to the petition can be downloaded here.

We, the undersigned, being permanent residents of Houghton Regis and aged 18 or over, NOTE that:-

1. On 13th January 2009, the Executive Committee of South Bedfordshire District Council approved a report which identified SIX possible sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches within its area.

2. Of the sites identified, no less than THREE are located within the parish of Houghton Regis.

3. There was no prior consultation with residents of the Town over the contents of the report.

4. The criteria used to assess the suitability of the sites do not appear to take into account the infrastructure, educational and social problems of the Town, which has areas of high deprivation.

and object most strongly to:-

a) The DISPROPORTIONATE allocation of sites to Houghton Regis compared to the rest of the District area.

b) The LACK of any consultation.

c) The apparent DISREGARD of the problems of the present settled community.

We therefore CALL UPON Central Bedfordshire Council and the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Committee to:-

• WITHDRAW the report.
  
  
• DRAW UP alternative proposals, and whilst doing so:-
  
  a) Ensure that none of the sites identified by the report are sold.
  
  b) Consult widely with both the settled and gypsy and traveller communities.
  
  c) Ensure that the interests and difficulties of the settled community are taken more into account than at present.