23rd October 2012

Proposed Gypsy and Traveller Sites Dropped

23rd October 2012

As you may already know, Bournemouth's all party Local Development Framework Steering Group met last week and the issue of the Gypsy and Traveller Consultation Report was discussed.

I now understand that Dorset County Council has put out a joint press release today on the report.

For clarity, this afternoon I have confirmed to the media that the Bournemouth Council position is as follows:-

'Bournemouth remains committed to the Joint Development Planning Document (DPD) process. However, having considered the nature and number of responses presented in Peter Brett Associates (formerly Bakers Associates) final report on the Issues and Options Public Consultation regarding the four sites identified in Bournemouth, it is clear that for sound planning reasons none of these are appropriate to be taken forward to later stages of the DPD process. For that reason, therefore, I can indicate that the sites included in the earlier consultation exercise, namely land near Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road, will not be subject to further consideration and will not therefore appear in later stages of the DPD process. I hope that this will put at rest the minds of those residents who have understandably been expressing concern at these proposals.

I am aware that other sites were suggested by the public as part of the consultation process. However from our knowledge of Bournemouth and the borough-wide analysis undertaken by Bakers, it is very unlikely that a suitable alternative site will be forthcoming.'

Cllr John Beesley
Leader of Bournemouth Council

More information from the Bournemouth Daily Echo