A DECISION to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in improvements of a Gypsy and traveller site has been welcomed by councillors.

In the last 12-months Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been awarded £850,000 from the Government's Homes and Community Agency to carry out improvements at its South Bank permanent residential site.

Today (Tuesday, January 29), the council’s cabinet members agreed to put the improvement scheme out to tender.

The project will see the demolition of eight amenity units, the building of nine new amenity blocks and increase of the number of pitches from 13 to 18.

The site was beset with problems when it was run by the council but improved when running of the site was handed over to members of the travelling community in 2007.

Shelagh Clarke, deputy leader of the council, said: “At first I thought not more money being spent on the Gypsy site but after thinking about it, it’s a good idea and it really matters that the money is spent on the site.”

And Coun Steve Goldswain, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for community protection, said: “There has been some excellent work going on at the site with our community wardens. It’s really pleasing to see them really engaging with the people living on the site.”

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