A DECISION on a £1.5m bid for a Gypsy and Traveller site in Ellesmere Port may not be made for another month.
Cheshire West and Chester authority tabled the bid to establish a permanent, managed Traveller’s site in Ellesmere Port.
If the bid – a continuation of the process initiated by the former Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council – is successful the site will accommodate families living on the council’s accepted site of Oilsites Road.
Residents fear the old Foxfields pub in Rivacre has been earmarked for the site but the council said it cannot confirm any sites until it finds out if the bid has been successful.
The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant is part a Government scheme co-ordinated by the Housing and Communities Agency (HCA).
A HCA spokesman said: “We are expecting an approval announcement later this month/early December but cannot say for sure at the moment.”
A council spokesman said: “If the department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) agrees funding, the authority will enter into a comprehensive programme of public information and consultation, both before and during any application for planning permission.
“The site will be proactively managed, landscaped and subject to a strict tenancy agreement containing a ‘good neighbour’s code’ adhered to by Travellers, who have sent their children to local schools for some time.
“Proposed sites will have the sufficient pitches to meet statutory requirements and will follow Government design guidance.
“Families living on the site, will have to pay rent and Council Tax,Šand are required to adhere to a tenancy agreement, the same as anyone living in social housing.Š
“This willŠencompass everything from behaviour to education and health and safety.”
Cheshire Partnership Gypsy and Traveller co-ordinator Dawn Taylor said: “We will be working with local residents, businessesŠand the Travellers’ themselves to ensure thatŠany site operates to the best advantages of everyone.”
