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Present: County Councillor David Parsons Mrs. P. Hulett of Cottage Farm
Ratby Lane, Leicester
Mr. G. Faulkner Mr. D. Herbert, Branch Manager
RSPCA, Scudamore Road
Mr. P. Batty - Parish Councillor for Groby (Part of Meeting)
Approximately 150 Members of the Public
Ms. T. Mistry - BBC Radio Leicester
Reporter from Leicester Mercury
County Councillor David Parsons opened the meeting; welcoming
and thanking members of the public for attending and also welcoming
those sat at the table with Councillor Parsons. Councillor Parsons
thanked the Parish Council for assisting with the meeting and
allowing the meeting to take place at the Parish Hall, free
of charge.
Councillor Parsons reports that the County Council has made
investigations into the number of pitches available to travellers
within a 3 mile radius of the parish. 40 pitches have been identified
within the area. Locations were given.
Councillor Parsons reported that it has been said that Mrs.
Hulett will be evicted from her home/farm after living there
for 20 years to make way for the Transit Site.
Councillor Parsons had recently met in London with Baroness
Andrews to discuss proposed gypsy sites within Leicestershire.
At the meeting the problems of illegally camping/environmental
issues were discussed. Councillor Parsons reported tonight that
he was disappointed that Baroness Andrews had not followed up
the points raised at their meeting.
Councillor Parsons reported on a recent press release in the
Leicester Mercury in which Leicester City Councillor Mugglestone
challenged the County Council to find an alternative site. Officers
from Leicestershire County Council had taken up this matter
and found a site a Hamilton, which is in Councillor Mugglestone's
ward. Councillor Parsons will be speaking to Councillor Mugglestone
with regard to the alternative site.
At this point of the Meeting, Councillor Parsons invited
Mrs. Pauline Hulett to address the meeting.
Mrs. Hulett thanked those present for their support.
Mrs. Hulett informed the audience that she had found out about
the proposed site quite by accident and after the initial shock
had decided that she must do something about the matter. She
therefore contacted various officials and found that they too
knew nothing of the proposal. According to Mrs. Hulett she was
informed that if she opposed the proposal then she would be
evicted from her home. She made the decision to oppose and has
been grateful for the support given by many people.
Mr. David Herbert, Branch Manger of the RSPCA - Scudamore
Road then addressed the meeting.
Mr. Herbert reported that there has been a lack of consultation
between the City Council and the RSPCA. The major problem for
the RSPCA is that the proposed site is within 40 yards of their
boundary. Mr. Herbert reports that a Warden will be on site
for a maximum of 40 hours per week and that the RSPCA consider
this insufficient.
Mr. Herbert reports that the 'isolation block' is near to the
proposed boundary and that the staff at the RSPCA are worried
that recuperating animals will be affected/distressed by continual
noise etc. Also along the boundary are the aviaries, rabbit
housing and puppy block, which at the present time is a quiet
area, but should the proposal go ahead there are concerns that
noise/lights would cause distress to the animals.
Mr. Herbert reminded the audience that although the proposal
is for 6 pitches, this is interpreted by statistics as 10.5
people per pitch, each staying for approximately 6 weeks, which
calculates into 600 + people per year using the site.
Mr. Herbert reported on recent problems at their property with
travellers from Meynells Gorse site.
It is the opinion of the RSPCA that the proposed site on Ratby
Lane should not go ahead.
Questions from the Public:
i) A Councillor from Braunstone Town Council raised concerns
relating to educating the children from the proposed site. Efforts
are being made by the Town Council to encourage local residents
to use the local schools, and if spaces are unavailable then
they would not be able to do so. The Councillor said that in
his opinion access to the site is inadequate.
ii) A member of the audience asked if it was correct that the
true size of the proposed site would be 17.5 acres. Councillor
Parsons said that he understood it would be smaller.
iii) Other issues raised related to the paying of local council
tax, access to the proposed site, and the proposed widening
of the M1.
County Councillor David Parsons responded in confirming
that the Highways Department of County Council opposes the application
on the grounds of highway matters.
(iv) Another question asked was - How many caravans does 1
pitch hold. Councillor Parsons responded that it could be 2.
Mr. Herbert said that he had been told that 1 pitch could hold
up to 4 vans, a pitch is approximately 30m x 10m in size.
(v) Other members of the audience asked why there had been nothing
reported in the local press on the fact that in the locality
there is already accommodation for 40 pitches.
(vi) One member of the audience asked if a representative from
the City Council had been invited to the meeting. Councillor
Parsons responded that one member had intended to attend, but
had given their apologies at the last minute.
Gerry Faulkner informed those present that in a recent
City Council Memo it referred to taking the whole 17.5 acres.
Mr. Faulkner reported that if the 6 pitches are constantly used,
then consideration would perhaps be given to extending the site.
Ms. T. Mistry, BBC Radio Leicester - informed the meeting
that the BBC will be taking this debate further in one of their
forthcoming programmes.
Councillor Parsons showed those present the location of 6
sites within the City that the County Council had identified
as being "possible" options to the one at Ratby Lane.
The one site at Hamilton was considered the most suitable.
Mr. Neal asked Councillor Parsons if the Western Park
Golf Club were opposing the planning application, Councillor
Parsons confirmed they were.
Groby Parish Councillor, Mr. P. Batty then addressed
the meeting - Mr. Batty supported the decision to oppose the
planning application.
Mr. Batty gave details of the recent problems in Groby wherein
travellers had parked illegally on land at Groby Pool. Mr. Batty
confirmed that at the present time an Enforcement Notice was
in place, this expires on 17/11/06. The EN requires the site
to be cleaned, but to date no attempt has been made by the Travellers
to clear the site.
Mr. Batty commented that in his opinion Ratby Lane is a very
busy road and that although it is reported that no heavy lorries
will use the proposed site, this cannot be enforced, and could
therefore cause major problems with lorries entering/exiting
the site.
Mr. Batty then referred to an existing travellers site in Essex
and reports that he is in touch with the Action Group relating
to this site. The site was only intended to site 6 pitches,
but it is now the largest site in Europe.
Mr. Batty commented that there is a high concentration of sites
this side of Leicester City and that under Government Guidelines
they should be integrated over the whole county.
Mr. Batty said that it could not be assured that 'illegal spring
up' sites would not be set up.
References were made to the recent developments at Market Harborough.
Mr. Batty then said that public awareness has to be raised with
regard to this matter and that Leicester City Council is confronted
too. Mr. Batty said it should be remembered that it is the City
Council's decision to put this site in the locality and not
the travellers.
Finally, Mr. Batty asked for everyone to support Mrs. Hulett
in this matter.
County Councillor David Parsons reported that the City
Council will discuss this application at their meeting on either
the 14th November or 5th December and encouraged all to go along
to the meeting.
Councillor Parsons gave the Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell MP apologies
for not being able to attend tonight's meeting, but said that
Mr. Dorrell has written to the City Council on the matter.
Councillor Parsons thanked the speakers for their contribution
to the meeting.
Mr. Faulkner - informed members of the audience that letters
of objection were available for completion tonight and that
he would ensure they were delivered to the City Council. Mr.
Faulkner requested that they should either be returned to either
himself or to the parish office.
The meeting closed at 7.50pm.
Minutes courtesy of Sue Jones - Leicester Forest East Parish Council |
