Traveller Issues - Overview

Background

The Travelling community has been a traditional part of rural life in South Cambridgeshire for many years - involved in seasonal crop-picking, for example. Historically, Travellers have lived comparatively peacefully alongside local households.

The Council has done far more than most local authorities to meet the needs of Travellers. In partnership with parish councils, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) has granted many planning permissions resulting in over 350 caravans on authorised pitches within the district. The latest national statistics show that South Cambridgeshire has the second highest number of Traveller caravans (authorised and unauthorised) in the country. The Council also manages two public sites at Milton and Whaddon, which are owned by Cambridgeshire County Council. This has enabled Travellers on legitimate sites to gain access to education and health facilities and integrate with the local community.

Over the last few years, the problems caused by unplanned and unauthorised encampments have had a serious effect on the local environment, local communities and the quality of life. Local facilities (such as schools) have, at times, struggled to cope with increased and unpredictable levels of demand for services.

These difficulties have been compounded by: a number of the Council's planning decisions in relation to unauthorised sites being overturned at appeal on Human Rights grounds; inadequacies in planning law which cannot cope with the new situation; a complex and lengthy legal process; community frustrations, tensions and suspicion; and considerable media coverage.

SCDC's approach to Traveller Issues

No other issue has received so much attention from leading councillors and senior managers at SCDC in the last few years. Some good progress has been made. The Council is working hard to:

The Council values its working relationships with parish councils and local councillors, as locally elected representatives in addressing these difficult issues.

 

Council Policy on Traveller Issues

In July 2004, SCDC introduced a new policy, setting out a commitment to:

A. uphold the rights of all local residents and Travellers to live peacefully and safely, with mutual respect for the rights of others;

B. lobby for a national approach to Traveller issues & planning policy, which takes account of public provision and private ownership of traveller sites, and keeps sites to a reasonable size;

C. apply planning policy fairly and firmly in relation to Traveller sites;

D. engage with Travellers and the local community in order to make available appropriate and authorised Traveller sites - identifying suitable additional sites, where necessary, and accommodating the service needs of travellers, wherever possible;

E. give full consideration to proposed private sites when Travellers approach the Council in advance about their proposals;

F. safeguard and defend the local environment and local facilities & services from issues flowing from illegal and unplanned Travelling encampments and development;

G. promote greater community cohesion between the settled and Travelling communities.

The Council also supports the principle of taking out legal injunctions against individuals who continually flout the law. Travellers on unauthorised plots who persistently breach enforcement notices could face imprisonment by the courts.

The Council has called on the Government for a clear and co-ordinated national approach to Traveller Issues, backed up by national funding. We have also made clear that:

  • All councils should be required to make provision for Travellers, not just those (like SCDC) that already do more than their fair share;
  • Travellers should have to demonstrate their identity and proof of genuine need;
  • Councils need stronger enforcement powers;
  • Traveller sites should be kept to a sensible size.

Council Policy on Traveller Issues leaflet

Difficult choices

Despite the substantial efforts made by this Council and our partners, tackling Traveller Issues is not easy. Smithy Fen is a local example of a national problem. The Council shares local residents' frustrations. We face some difficult decisions as we try to strike a balance between conflicting demands.

 
On the one hand...On the other hand....
The Council needs to apply planning law and take enforcement action against breaches of planning control.There have been appeals against some Council decisions to refuse permission for traveller sites. In some cases, after lengthy inquiries, planning inspectors have found in favour of the Travellers, citing the need to uphold their human rights.
Some people question why South Cambridgeshire should be a "honey pot" for Travellers.Romany Travellers are a traditional part of life in the district. New official guidance could require the Council to make further provision for sites throughout the district to meet Traveller needs.
There are understandable concerns about delays in taking action against illegal Traveller encampments.The High Court has ruled that the Council cannot clear unauthorised sites until outstanding planning appeals are heard. The legal process is complex and time-consuming. The fact is that the Council cannot simply march onto unauthorised sites as soon as official deadlines expire.
Some people ask why it is so difficult to remove Travellers from Smithy Fen, Cottenham when other councils have carried out evictions.The situation at Smithy Fen is especially complicated because, unlike other sites, it contains a mix of both legitimate and unauthorised Traveller plots.
There have been heart-felt calls from Cottenham for the Council to evict Travellers from Smithy Fen.The Council has to take a fair and consistent approach to all unauthorised Traveller sites in the district. There are others at Swavesey, Histon and Chesterton Fen.
Some believe that the Council should spend whatever it takes to resolve the problems.Others question how far costly action on Traveller sites is prudent at the same time as SCDC's council tax has been capped and the Council faces major service cuts.
Local communities are angered by anti-social behaviour by some Travellers. The Council is committed to upholding community safety.Travellers have themselves been the victims of hate crime and abuse, and are entitled to the same protection as anyone else.
It is unfair that the interests of local residents seem to count for less than those of Travellers.The needs of Travellers cannot be ignored. They have a lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality rate than any other section of society.

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