Car park travellers' site plan opposed
A BUSINESS organisation has opposed plans to consider using a town centre car park for a travellers' site.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is opposed to plans to use William Hunter Way car park in Brentwood.
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FLASHBACK: The Gazette on May 14. Our front page story revealed 18 sites had been revealed as possible travellers' sites. The public has until July 11 to comment on the proposals.
David Miles, chairman of South West Essex branch of the FSB, said: “The FSB is very concerned that one of the options being considered by Brentwood Borough Council for a permanent travellers' site is 1.45 hectares at the William Hunter Way car park in Brentwood town centre.
“In a formal response to Brentwood Borough Council's consultation, the FSB has strongly opposed this proposal as car parking is at a premium in the town centre and the loss of any such parking for a travellers' site would have an adverse impact on the number of shoppers coming to Brentwood.
“We are asking the council to drop this site from consideration and hope they will listen to our arguments.”
Every resident in the borough has been invited to comment on 18 possible locations, including land in Brentwood, Ingatestone, Mountnessing and Blackmore.
Brentwood Borough Council has explained that the six-week consultation is part of a process it must follow.
Council leader Cllr Brandon Lewis said: “I have got to stress that we are not saying these should be, could be or may be sites.
“The sites have been suggested to us and we now have to go to the public and ask them to comment on them.”
Residents have until July 11 to comment on any or all of the suggested locations.
For more information, visit www.brentwood.gov.uk
2 Comments
by jennifer hurley, ingrave
Friday, June 27 2008, 7:38PM
“will these people be excempt from paying council tax?also as a resident we are expected to recycle,not distribute rubbish in any avilable ditch or bush!.they lower the tone of anywhere they live,and just end up costing us money,no one wants to live near these people so selling up and moving is not an option.the fear of whats happening at crays hill,the schools in particular,it would be nice if travellers paid for the priviledge to live and use the facilities in the eara,as do we, civilised law abiding tax paying residants”
by E.Pickering, Brentwood
Friday, June 27 2008, 4:07PM
“If we must have a travellers site the obvious site is Roman Road as there is already one in existance”