Call for more legal gypsy sites in Darlington (From The Northern Echo)
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Call for more legal gypsy sites in Darlington
10:40am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Darlington
A PLANNING inspector has raised concerns about the lack of legal sites for gyspy and traveller families around Darlington, after refusing an appeal for a private gypsy site on the grounds that it would be damaging to local landscape.
The claims have been backed by a local councillor, who said there will be a risk of illegal sites until the council provides enough pitches.
Darlington Borough Council has rejected the claims and said it is ahead of other local authorities on the matter.
The issue was raised by planning inspector Diane Lewis in a report into a planning appeal made by Reuben Rogers, for a private site on land at Aycliffe Lane, in Brafferton, near Darlington, which was rejected by Darlington Borough Council last year.
The council brought enforcement action against Mr Rogers after he moved on to the site despite the failure of his planning application, which he had also appealed.
Ms Lewis upheld the council’s refusal of the application, and the enforcement action, on the grounds that the site would be damaging to the character of the village and the local landscape.
However, she extended the compliance period time of the enforcement notice to 12 months to allow Mr Rogers to find suitable alternative accomodation for his family because of the lack of pitches in the area.
She said: “The emphasis of national policy is for gypsy and traveller sites to be in appropriate locations. The appeal site fulfils most of the locational criteria but critically, because of the position of the site on higher ground, it has an unacceptable impact on visual amenity and landscape character.”
She added: “There has been slow progress on responding to the need for additional pitches. The council has failed to allocate and bring forward land for gypsy and traveller sites.”
Coun Brian Jones welcomed the decision and said: “I think the residents of Brafferton will be delighted. Its unfortunate for the family that they decided to move there without planning permission and that is reflected in the decision.
“This raises the issue that Darlington Borough Council has to still to find extra sites to accomodate those who want to live that lifestyle. I know they are working on it but until they deal with it there is always a risk of illegal sites.”
A council spokeswoman said: "Darlington is generally ahead of other planning authorities in terms of having a core strategy in place which guides the allocation of new gypsy/traveller sites.
“The next step is to ensure that new sites are supplied and the council is working as fast as it can to achieve this.”
Comments(42)
swissball
says...
1:14pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Typical that'll be two fingers up to DBC then !!!
melwilson
says...
5:10pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Huychy - they wouldn't be "tax dodgers" if the council had approved the site as they would then have been subject to council tax - something people often forget
Catherinet
says...
5:16pm Sat 4 Feb 12
swissball
says...
8:58am Sun 5 Feb 12
That'll be 2 fingers up at DBC eh Mr Rogers!
melwilson
says...
12:48pm Sun 5 Feb 12
Catherinet wrote:Well there's a wonderfully stereotypical, unfounded statement if ever i heard one.
Yes because they are such upstanding citizens they would pay the council tax.
If that were ever the case then they would potentially be jailed just like settled people are if they don't pay council tax.
Just because people perceive them to be "tax dodgers" is not a good enough reason to deny them living on their own land, nor is the ridiculous notion that the family will affect houseprices or the visual impact of a place.
This boils down to snobbery (& to some degree bigotry) pure and simple
darlo-in-london
says...
1:48pm Sun 5 Feb 12
I have no problem with them settling in town i just do not want darlington to become the next Dale farm which to me sounds like some has been approached so they have another place to set up camp. Envolopes under the table springs to mind.
tabby67
says...
4:24pm Sun 5 Feb 12
Darlotilidie
says...
4:48pm Sun 5 Feb 12
tabby67 wrote:What a completely unintelligent comment, generalisation on a massive scale! It must be fantastic to be so perfect that you can pass judgement like that, I think it's fair to say that Darlington has a massive problem with boy racers from all corners of the town, not just the 'gypo's' as you so politely put it. The point of fact here is that these people are living on land, they own, not council property, not other peoples land, but infact in a relatively rural secluded spot, wanting to maintain their own privacy to the most possible degree and yet you still complain. The fact is travellers have been in Darlington for years, they aren't going anywhere, so live and let live and get over your pathetic and trivial stereotyping, it implies, as is most often the case with people like you of a degree of jealousy to be honest.
If I want to do something major to my house I need planning permision, so why do these gypos think they can just do what they want and fingers up to everybody else. I have first hand experience of gypos living in darlo for many years and many of them driving around in their white transit vans cause nothing but agro. Darlington would be a much nicer town without them! So yes mel repeat my comment as well. So many of them have no basic manners they are rude and think they are above the law so lets hope no more sites are ever made! They are what they are but lets not pretend they are law abiding citizens thats just a joke.
kristal27
says...
5:35pm Sun 5 Feb 12
Darlotilidie
says...
6:35pm Sun 5 Feb 12
swissball
says...
6:46pm Sun 5 Feb 12
...there were a load of young gypo lads screaming around in their white transit vans(about 10 of them) and 11 reg BMW's, completely ignoring and intimidating other road users - going around the McD car park and Morrisons garage the wrong way, bumping over curbs, threatening other drivers, four or five in the front seat not wearing seat belts and generally making **** of themselves. And you scum wonder why the majority of the population are against you.
I rest my case!!!!!!!!!!!!
Darlogirl1
says...
7:12am Mon 6 Feb 12
tabby67
says...
7:47am Mon 6 Feb 12
the-big-yin
says...
11:16am Mon 6 Feb 12
MrMorden
says...
1:26pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Then they take their horse and cart out onto main roads during rush hour.
They have 4*4 or BMWs...funny that..
kristal27
says...
7:51pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Darlotilidie wrote:I don't look down my nose at anyone - and up here in Tinker land (bishop auckland) pet everyone uses the word tinker so you're the one not in the loop lol! I know quite a few gypsies and they are all the same - its in their DNA to get one over on the general public and treat none gyspeis with distain - why do you thinK they don't marry outsiders -they think they are 'unclean'. As for not paying taxes - well I know lots of people who don't pay taxes -they are called self-employed lol! My point is that their are planning laws that EVERYONE has to adhere to so why should people think that because they own the land they are squatting on, they should have the right to live on it?
So 'gypo=thief'? Yawn yawn yawn, I love the 'gypsies and tinkers do not like the general public' line, hilarious, who in this century says tinkers? ......and talk about another mass generalisation, perhaps the 'gypsies and tinkers' don't like people like you, because you continue to look down you nose at people who despite, generally any lack of main stream education seem to manage to get on in life and own their own land without mortgages. Again I have no doubt you will say, thats because they steal and don't pay tax, which I am sure is true of a percentage of this group, as with a percentage of the rest of the population. People have a right to speak as they find, but should not just go with the TV fed 'big fat gypsy wedding' stereo-type.
diga
says...
10:50pm Tue 7 Feb 12
MrMorden wrote:And Tommy Crooks park....
Need more space...how about in Cornwall. I remember when they descened upon the footie pitches down McMullen Rd and ruined them. Left rubbish and even calor gas cylinders. Could not be bothered to goto the tip.
Then they take their horse and cart out onto main roads during rush hour.
They have 4*4 or BMWs...funny that..
Allanopie
says...
12:56pm Wed 8 Feb 12
MrMorden
says...
1:13pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Dominic McEwan
says...
1:45pm Wed 8 Feb 12
er" substitute "black". Some of the above comments would then come into a race hate category. It is not all right to stereotype any ethnic group. I am surprised and ashamed that these comments are allowed on the Northern Echo website
Ahoy Tiny Crisp
says...
5:22pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Mean D wrote:Especially when its deemed acceptable to post while at work?
They should be concentrated on dedicated sites and should not be free to roam the community, unless they work for the community.
.
It should be made clear to them that 'work sets you free'.
Ahoy Tiny Crisp
says...
5:24pm Wed 8 Feb 12
mark.wilkinson
says...
5:42pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Dominic McEwan wrote:Your way would be to oppress freedom of speech, which would in turn, cause far greater problems than we already have in our society. The depth of feeling towards gypsies is pretty clear and just because you don't agree with some of the sentiments on here, doesn't make it shameful to have such opinions.
For "gyspsy/roma/tr
avell
er" substitute "black". Some of the above comments would then come into a race hate category. It is not all right to stereotype any ethnic group. I am surprised and ashamed that these comments are allowed on the Northern Echo website
mark.wilkinson
says...
5:47pm Wed 8 Feb 12
melwilson wrote:You're so naive, it's truly breathtaking. But well done for keeping the faith anyway.
Catherinet wrote:Well there's a wonderfully stereotypical, unfounded statement if ever i heard one.
Yes because they are such upstanding citizens they would pay the council tax.
If that were ever the case then they would potentially be jailed just like settled people are if they don't pay council tax.
Just because people perceive them to be "tax dodgers" is not a good enough reason to deny them living on their own land, nor is the ridiculous notion that the family will affect houseprices or the visual impact of a place.
This boils down to snobbery (& to some degree bigotry) pure and simple
antagonist1
says...
10:00pm Wed 8 Feb 12
gary123
says...
11:36pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Wish someone at the Council would grow some balls and just say no.
Same goes for the soft plod letting Yarm Road/ Morton Park become a racetrack for the greasy theiving scum.
Senor
says...
9:42am Thu 9 Feb 12
As for paying "tax". They are all on the dole so who will pay their council tax?
The people of Darlington.
Not gypoes but travellers, so bloody travel.
Senor
says...
9:42am Thu 9 Feb 12
As for paying "tax". They are all on the dole so who will pay their council tax?
The people of Darlington.
Not gypoes but travellers, so bloody travel.
Celer et Audax
says...
11:45am Thu 9 Feb 12
melwilson
says...
1:16pm Thu 9 Feb 12
mark.wilkinson wrote:Don't you dare be so patronising you disgusting specimen
melwilson wrote:You're so naive, it's truly breathtaking. But well done for keeping the faith anyway.Catherinet wrote: Yes because they are such upstanding citizens they would pay the council tax.Well there's a wonderfully stereotypical, unfounded statement if ever i heard one. If that were ever the case then they would potentially be jailed just like settled people are if they don't pay council tax. Just because people perceive them to be "tax dodgers" is not a good enough reason to deny them living on their own land, nor is the ridiculous notion that the family will affect houseprices or the visual impact of a place. This boils down to snobbery (& to some degree bigotry) pure and simple
Ahoy Tiny Crisp
says...
2:39pm Thu 9 Feb 12
the-big-yin
says...
3:26pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Dominic McEwan wrote:oh! my god lets all play the racist card again.....we are too soft with all this political correctness crap......in the old days ..black was black and white was white..colours..(don
For "gyspsy/roma/tr
avell
er" substitute "black". Some of the above comments would then come into a race hate category. It is not all right to stereotype any ethnic group. I am surprised and ashamed that these comments are allowed on the Northern Echo website
-t say its 2012 now).if the gypsy travellers played by the rules ..i.e.. correct planning applications...pay their council tax...stop ripping people off and trying to intimidate the decent members of communities which they invade...then maybe yes maybe they would get listened to....however i very much doubt it......do things by the law not run around thinking they are above the law.....no-one is above the law!!! ask JUDGE DREDD!!!!!
mark.wilkinson
says...
5:22pm Thu 9 Feb 12
melwilson wrote:Haha great put down indeed! Must have hit a raw nerve eh little Miss Naive! ...If the cap fits!
mark.wilkinson wrote:Don't you dare be so patronising you disgusting specimen
melwilson wrote:You're so naive, it's truly breathtaking. But well done for keeping the faith anyway.Catherinet wrote: Yes because they are such upstanding citizens they would pay the council tax.Well there's a wonderfully stereotypical, unfounded statement if ever i heard one. If that were ever the case then they would potentially be jailed just like settled people are if they don't pay council tax. Just because people perceive them to be "tax dodgers" is not a good enough reason to deny them living on their own land, nor is the ridiculous notion that the family will affect houseprices or the visual impact of a place. This boils down to snobbery (& to some degree bigotry) pure and simple
You can't expect to post comments on here without some form of response/difference of opinion.
So, grow up and open your eyes you pathetic disgusting specimen. Believe it or not Miss naive, You're not always right! In fact the drivel you post on this website proves the exact opposite. Now get on your bike and ride off into the sunset you silly child.
MST75
says...
6:45pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Ahoy Tiny Crisp
says...
10:38pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Liamsm
says...
7:38am Fri 10 Feb 12
Ahoy Tiny Crisp wrote:Travellers....half the caravans don't have bloody wheels so how are they meant to travel. No Ahoy Tiny what is sad is when these robbing **** knock on old folks door and take money off them, nick lead off my house roof, fly tip rubbish where I walk my dog, crap in fields, cause havoc in Darlington town centre, drive down the middle of yarm road when others are sat waiting, park in every disabled bay in the town.......that's what is sad. Accept the fact they are the closest thing to human vermin. They have 2 sites what I know of in the town so m not try and buy a house like everyone else has too. In fact no don't knowing my luck I will end up with on next to me.
It is, sadly, a human trait to round up on a minority community during a countries low point. No jobs, who do we blame, immigrants, no economic growth, again the immigrants etc etc. For all we pretend we're a proud nation we still prefer to blame others when things are bad. The Gypsies are just one in a long line of scape goats.
Liamsm
says...
7:44am Fri 10 Feb 12
melwilson wrote:Ruben Rogers has a pretty set up......give it a rest. He is filth.
Cllr Jones should be mindful that not all residents were opposed to the Rogers family, the "visual impact" being significantly less than the monstrous McDonalds sign you can see :-/ and actually the Rogers have got quite a pretty set up.
Huychy - they wouldn't be "tax dodgers" if the council had approved the site as they would then have been subject to council tax - something people often forget
Liamsm
says...
8:01am Fri 10 Feb 12
Dominic McEwan
says...
7:22am Sat 11 Feb 12
I have also worked in so called "sink estates" of English people with very bad reputations where a few individuals are used to label a whole community.
PREJUDICE is the real enemy to freedom.
Liamsm
says...
9:33pm Tue 14 Feb 12
Liamsm
says...
9:34pm Tue 14 Feb 12
huychy says...
12:39pm Sat 4 Feb 12