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A £1 million travellers’ site close to homes in one of Wolverhampton’s most deprived areas was already a ‘done deal’ before councillors formally approved it, claim “disgusted” residents living nearby.
The temporary encampment, located on a former quarry between Dunstall Hill Trading Estate and Gorsebrook Road, had already been decided before council planners met yesterday (Tuesday), say neighbours who turned out in force to protest against it.
Gorsebrook Road resident Kamran Khan, 42, said: “This decision was already made before we got here today. It was a done deal. Nobody at all has listened to what the people have been saying.”
As residents left the meeting following the decision there were shouts of “disgusting!” from several members of the public.
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Planners received 119 letters of objection to the proposal, including one from Royal Mail, which has a large unit near the site, and another from MP Stuart Anderson (Con. Wolverhampton South West).
Addressing the committee, Mohammed Naseem said: “Our objection to this site is in no way against our brothers and sisters from the travelling community.
“No active formal engagement was undertaken by the local authority in the selection of the site. The local authority only engaged with the residents after plans were leaked. No evidence has been provided as to why other sites were rejected and this one was selected.”
Councillor Anwen Muston (Lab. East Park) said: “It’s a brownfield site, previously used for tipping waste. It brings that back into use and addresses the issue of fly-tipping, as it will develop and clean up the site.
“The council spends at the moment between £250,000 and £300,000 cleaning up sites, and this will alleviate that problem and save the council money in the long run.
“We don’t have one of these sites and the chances are it will carry on costing the council a lot of money.”
The proposal was moved by Cllr Muston and seconded by Cllr Phil Page (Lab. Bilston North), before Cllr Roger Lawrence (Lab. St Peter’s) made a last-ditch attempt to get it rejected on the grounds of traffic and parking problems, the impact on the environment and the condition of the land.
He was supported in his amendment by Cllrs Wendy Thompson (Con. Tettenhall Wightwick) and Jonathan Yardley (Con. Tettenhall Regis). However members voted in favour of granting approval for the site for one year.
Once established, the site will provide accommodation for travellers evicted from unlawful encampments whilst they are waiting to move out of the city.
It will have space for 13 caravan pitches, a perimeter fence with security gate for vehicles, a modular unit containing sanitary facilities, a secure bin store, external lighting, CCTV and 24-hour manager supervision.
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Leader of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Ian Brookfield (Lab. Fallings Park) said: “This was never going to be an easy decision to make, but one which will end the misery of week-long illegal campsites at 60 other sites across the city.
“I’m sure the tens of thousands of residents of those areas will be grateful for the relief in the future. It’s also well known that I live not too far from the legal travellers’ site in Wolverhampton that’s been there for over 30 years.”
