Efford Gypsy and Traveller site design consultation

Members of the public are being asked to contribute ideas for the design of a Gypsy and Traveller site in Efford during a six-week consultation starting today (Monday 9 March).

The Council plans to bid for Government funding to cover the full costs of establishing the site in Military Road at Efford Warren.

The consultation will take place in two phases. The first phase, from 9 March to 30 March, involves inviting ideas about what facilities should be included in the site, how it should be laid out and how it should be managed.

Anyone with ideas or suggestions should email inclusion@plymouth.gov.uk or write to:

Social Inclusion Unit
Plymouth City Council
Floor 9
Civic Centre
Royal Parade
Plymouth PL1 2AA

The second phase of the public consultation, from Monday 30 March to Friday 17 April, will involve seeking local residents’ views on preliminary site design ideas. This will include an exhibition at Efford Library from Wednesday 1 April to Wednesday 8 April.

Exhibition opening times

Wednesday 1 April - 10am to 1pm
Thursday 2 April - 9am to 5.30pm
Friday 3 April - 1pm to 7pm
Saturday 4 April - 9am to1pm

Sunday 5 Apri l- closed

Monday 6 April - 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday 7 April - 9am to 7pm
Wednesday 8 April - 9am to 12 noon

There will also be drop-in sessions, with Council staff on hand to answer questions, on the following days:

Wednesday 1 April - 10am to12 noon
Saturday 4 April - 10am to 12 noon
Monday 6 April - 5pm to 7pm

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Housing and Supporting People and Community Cohesion, said: "There is clear evidence from other local authorities elsewhere in the country to show that well designed, well managed sites cause very few problems for nearby residents unlike unauthorised encampments which often create considerable social tensions.

"This is a chance for local residents to play an active part in helping us to get this right and tackle the pressing need to provide official pitches for Gypsies and Travellers. The current problems caused by the lack of authorised sites in Plymouth are not going to go away so we’re urging people to support us in finding the best possible solution.”

All comments need to be received no later than 17 April. A planning application for the site will then be drawn up. This too, will be subject to full public consultation. The Council is working to meet the deadline of 30 June 2009 for the bid.

A separate public consultation on the possible use of land at Coombe Farm, Mowhay Road, St Budeaux, and at the Imerys Works at Coypool as Gypsy and Traveller sites will take place from 31 March to 12 May.

Full details of both consultations, including maps and contact information, are available on our Gypsy and Traveller sites web page.

9 March 2009