Green light for travellers' site as villagers are ignored
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 14 Oct 2011 08:00
16 Comments
THE row over the Cairneyhill travellers' site has been escalating with local councillors of different parties joining in the criticism of Fife Council officers' handling of the issue.
An argument has been raging since the council decided to put a travellers' stop-over site on a lay-by next to the Cairneyhill to Torryburn road, where the travellers have stayed regularly illegally up to now.
The go-ahead was confirmed at a full meeting of Fife Council on Thursday but locals say there was no consultation.
In Crossgates, where a heated public meeting did take place and residents had their say, the plans were quickly dropped.
West Fife Villages Lib Dem councillor McMullan said, "I was concerned that council papers said full consultation had taken place with the Cairneyhill community. This did not happen.
"I'm glad that John Mills. the senior manager, has now written to the community council to arrange to meet with them."
Councillor McMullan also has safety concerns as the site is on a zig-zag bend and in the middle of a set of traffic lights.
"If you go back a few years, Fife Council transportation refused any travellers in that area because of the dangers to traffic. They actually refused it.
"It's a huge accident waiting to happen.
"The people in Cairneyhill and Torryburn haven't had the same opportunity as in Crossgates so where's the democracy in that?
"You can't just impose this because of legislation coming from the Scottish Government saying it's got to happen.
"Yes, it's got to happen but it's got to happen in the right places and not just saying we'll pick those three places. It's ridiculous."
Labour councillor Bobby Clelland said, "I spoke out at the Fife Council meeting last week and raised my concerns with the chairman of the committee (Brian Goodall) about the poor level of consultation there has been with the local community but he made clear he would continue to ignore me.
"What Mr Goodall and his SNP colleagues don't seem to understand is that you cannot simply railroad through a decision against the wishes of the community and then expect that community to toe the line.
"This is no way to do business and it is certainly not the way to achieve a consensus on the way forward."
Councillor Clelland was critical of SNP councillor Walker, who alsp represents the villages, for not voicing his opposition at the meeting.
"I had read Bill's comments in the Press before the meeting and so I expected his support when I raised the issue.
"Instead he sat on his hands and said nothing while his SNP colleagues rubbished the claim of no consultation."
Mr Walker responded, "Brian Goodall admitted that this could have been handled much better and I was satisfied with his answer.
"I have written to chief executive Ronnie Hinds on this and he admits mistakes were made.
"I was at the meeting of Torryburn Community Council when a council officer came along, heard the many complaints but was unable to answer the points put to him, which is not proper consultation.
"In the case of Cairneyhill, the meeting was called off at the last minute. The people of Cairneyhill and Torryburn have not been consulted over the issue whereas a public meeting was held in Crossgates and that's why I've criticised the way this has been handled."
John Mills, senior manager for housing access and support, said, "Consultation with the Torryburn and Newmills Community Council was started in April 2011.
"Unfortunately, the planned meeting with Cairneyhill Community Council didn't go forward at that time.
"Issues raised at that meeting were highlighted in the committee report which was approved by the housing and communities committee in August giving the green light to apply for temporary planning permission for the three sites, including Torryburn.
"At the moment, we have architects drawing up the detailed site plans for each of the three proposed stopover sites.
"Once these are finished and before planning applications are submitted, we will meet with each of the community councils again to show them the finalised plans.
"All further consultation meetings will be co-ordinated by the Gypsy Traveller's Working Group.
"There will also be a further opportunity for local people to raise concerns through the planning process."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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jesstd
34 posts
Oct 14, 13:55
Report commentIf it is a planning application for temporary consent, local people will be able to object (or support) the application at the appropriate time. Any objection could make reference to the lack of consultation. After all, any other applicant would be expected to consult with the community in order to have a planning application validated by the council.
Recommend?
Yes 18
No 6
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 14, 21:39
Report commentThere is plenty of room in Rosyth, why not move them there? They would fit right in and the problem would be solved. A very very simple solution. Write to the council now and demand that it happen, I am going to do my letter as soon as I have finished having my democratic say on these forums.
Recommend? Yes 22
No 80
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Stuartggray
30 posts
Oct 16, 17:26
Report commentWhy not put them up in all the empty council houses reported in another story on this site? Fix two problems at once.
"MSP Helen Eadie has hit out at the number of council houses lying empty in West Fife.
Figures she obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed there were 43 houses empty in Rosyth, three in Inverkeithing and 41 in the Lochs ward, which takes in Kelty.
Across her whole constituency the number of council homes lying vacant was 152.
Mrs Eadie said, "These are troubling figures and need to be addressed urgently."
Recommend? Yes 8
No 10
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joesbro
200 posts
Oct 18, 11:09
Report comment -
triskel
257 posts
Oct 18, 13:40
Report commentThe Cain and Abel dichotomy, the pastoralist and the farmer, two opposing mindsets. When people are static and live behind walls on land they believe is theirs it gives rise to institutions like landowner's militias, (forebear of the modern army), and the policeforce. The anxieties caused by property ownership and stasis are foisted onto the travelling community who are then brutalised by the landowner's militias and the policeforce. Townies need therapy to deal with the problems of living in one place causes and not a whipping boy in the shape of disenfranchised travellers.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 36
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joesbro
200 posts
Oct 18, 17:12
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Rosythlover
14 posts
Oct 19, 12:03
Report commentYou've put the oar in again NHJ. Mind you I wouldn't have expected anything less from you. Once a vindictive troll always a vindictive troll.
Recommend? Yes 29
No 4
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Rosythlover
14 posts
Oct 19, 12:05
Report commentBetter still send them to live with NHJ sure she/he would have plenty room.
Recommend? Yes 37
No 5
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Oct 19, 22:11
Report commentNice to see I am getting up your nose again Rosythlover!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 30
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ShahHoorsur
31 posts
Oct 20, 12:05
Report comment -
Skullduggery
1 post
Oct 20, 13:58
Report commentIf they are genuine travellers then why do they want to settle down?, They come to this country , pay no taxes and take every penny they can get from the government, they will take anything thats not nailed down , they cause trouble, they never tidy up after them and they would not ever want to be part of the community or any normal society, I say send them back to Southern Ireland where they come from, there`s plenty roads and driveways to tarmac there,
Recommend? Yes 32
No 3
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******
Oct 20, 23:12
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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triskel
257 posts
Oct 21, 10:22
Report commentTravellers have been persecuted since time immemorial and their ability to travel restricted. The state doesn't like people who move free and easy. It likes manic, slobbering slaves with no hope of escape and only a life of misery to look forward to. You can set yourself free if you want. You don't have to live in chains.....chains of your own making!
Recommend? Yes 0
No 16
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joesbro
200 posts
Oct 25, 14:13
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******
Oct 26, 12:49
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******
Oct 27, 11:25
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triskel
257 posts
Oct 27, 13:28
Report commentYeah. Maggie. That's right. God Save The Queen.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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******
Nov 1, 09:47
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******
Nov 1, 12:45
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triskel
257 posts
Nov 2, 10:25
Report commentAaaaaw! This comment has been removed by a moderator.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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******
Nov 2, 10:30
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******
Nov 2, 10:36
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triskel
257 posts
Nov 2, 11:48
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