VILLAGERS are celebrating after news that a shortlist of Travellers’ sites could bring an end to years of tension and close the ‘floodgates’ to future pitches on Green Belt sites.
Residents across Helsby, Alvanley, Mickle Trafford and Dunham-on-the-Hill celebrated after news that a shortlist of potential Travellers’ sites by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) did not include any to be built on their doorsteps.
But now concerned homeowners are worried that the new sites will have little impact on current pitches, on Towers Lane, Alvanley, and Hillcrest, Chester Road, Dunham-on-the-Hill because they still have years left on their recently granted temporary applications.
Residents and councillors in Mickle Trafford recently joined villagers from Helsby, Alvanley and Dunham-on-the-Hill to launch a petition demanding CWaC announce the shortlist of sites after three years of ‘broken promises’ and ‘inaction’.
But on Tuesday, five possible Traveller sites were revealed from a shortlist of more than 1,300, including a transitional site at the Oakwood Farm in Saughall and a permanent site in Bumpers Lane, Chester.
Chairman for Dunham-on-the-Hill and Hapsford Parish Council Andy Jones said the news was a ‘great relief’ but it was yet to be seen what would happen to the current sites in the area.
Chairman of Mickle Trafford Parish Council Cllr Roger Parkin welcomed the announcement of the potential sites as a positive step in the right direction, but said that the real test would be when the temporary applications run out.
“We know that nothing is going to change overnight,” said Cllr Parkin.
“I do not belive that when the sites are approved they will suddenly say temporary Travellers’ sites are invalid and move them off. They will remain until the permission expires which in some cases is a matter of years.
“Then, when the permission runs out we will see this system put to the test. We are all just watching this space.”
CWaC spokesman Ian Callister said: “At the end of the temporary permission period we would expect the Travellers’ to reapply.
“If they are refused and then appeal we would expect that the fact that we have fulfilled our quota would mean that the council’s decision would not be over-ruled. But we cannot guarantee what the inspectors decision will be.”
As the Chronicle went to press the shortlist of potential Travellers’ sites was due to be discussed at a Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive meeting on Wednesday night. Turn to pages 4 and 5 for more reaction to the site proposals.
