Gypsy site plans dropped

Story: Lisa Swift

The Council have dropped proposals for a Gypsy and Traveller site on Abbeyfield Road and Holtwood Road, following cuts in funding and changes in government policy.

The proposals were first made public at the end of May, when three sites in Burngreave, Firth Park and Darnall, were put forward by the Lib-Dem Council as part of the Sheffield Development Framework consultation (see Future of Development).

This surprise announcement provoked angry objections from nearby residents and councillors. The Star printed a string of negative stories with headlines such as ‘Gypsy site race fear’, in which local MP, David Blunkett, described the proposals as creating a ‘tinder box of tensions’.

Hard questions for Lib-Dems

Labour councillors quizzed officers and Lib-Dems at the Scrutiny Committee on 6th July. Councillor Penny Baker, Cabinet member for housing and planning, announced that central government no longer required the sites. It was also revealed that the need for the sites would be reassessed, effectively taking the whole process back 3 years. As Head of Planning Phil Abbot said,

“it will not happen quickly.”

The Government has also cancelled grants for Gypsy and Traveller sites to local authorities.

Secret lists

From the Councillors’ questions, it became clear that the proposed sites had been pushed forward at private meetings of Lib-Dem councillors and were changed at the last minute to include sites in Burngreave and Firth Park. Despite months of discussion about the SDF document, the proposed traveller sites had been kept secret and there had been no consultation with Gypsies themselves. Broader consultation was rejected because it

“might alarm large numbers of people,”

and sites in Lib-Dem wards would cause ‘concern’ for their local residents.

No apology

Labour Councillor Joan Barton said,

“It stinks, this process has been a shambles from beginning to end.”

Lib-Dem Councillor Penny Baker refused to apologise but said,

“I don't want people to be upset. I'm sorry that they are.”

The committee recommended that new criteria be drawn up for new sites in a cross-party meeting and that the three sites proposed should never be considered for traveller sites in the future.

Residents misrepresented

Story:Tim Neal

Local residents Gwyn Fields and Linda Cawley felt that the Star headline had misrepresented residents’ feelings. The approach of the Star was divisive, tending towards polarising opinion rather than representing the views of the participants. Gwyn said the problem was that:

“People involved in the meeting on Abbeyfield Road were expressing their frustration. The feeling was that, rather than being involved in a constructive discussion, a decision had been sprung on people, leading them to express their dissatisfaction about the process and how the decision had been made.”

Linda commented that,

“It felt like yet another pressure was being placed on a community already facing diminishing resources and it was not acceptable to find the proposal hidden away in such a large document with no discussion with the community”.

Gwyn commented,

“We were appalled by the Star headline. It demeaned and detracted from our main point which was discrepancies in the way the council operates and how they deal with issues. The headline evoked debate but in a divisive way. We don’t want this issue to be used as a stick for people to beat each other – the debate around the way council policy is put into practice not about Gypsies and Travellers.

The truth about Gypsies

Story: Lyn Brandon

Gypsies and Travellers, whose ancestors migrated from India in the 10th Century, have been living and travelling in Britain for at least 500 years. Like other minority ethnic groups, Gypsies and Travellers have their own cultural traditions and languages.

Gypsies and Travellers present a variety of complex and unique issues. Their culture is very different from mainstream society but there are similarities: some members are wealthy and successful whilst others live in extreme poverty. The extended family forms the core unit of the community and many families aspire to own or rent a piece of land.

Despite their long history and culture, Gypsies and Travellers have been described as one of the most marginalised minorities. Alvaro Gil-Robles, the first EU Commissioner for Human Rights, said,

“To judge by … the national press, Gypsies would appear to be the last ethnic minority in respect of which openly racist views can still be acceptably expressed.

If it is true that the traditional way of life for Gypsies is increasingly difficult to square with modern society, and that individual Gypsies and Travellers must themselves bear an equal responsibility for the maintenance of good relations with their neighbours, it is clear that much more serious efforts are required to accommodate their needs and promote greater tolerance towards them then are currently in evidence.”

As a long-standing resident of Burngreave, I feel proud that, despite our many difficulties and assumptions made by people from outside the area, the strength of our community provides an open welcome to all who make Burngreave their home. I would like to think we can take the time to listen to the voice of the Gypsy and Traveller community with openness and without prejudice and that future site provision will be developed in partnership.