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Two gipsy sites are earmarked
TWO sites in South Yorkshire have been earmarked for gipsies as the council battles to prevent illegal camps and meet a Government target to provide more spaces.
Oaks Lane at Hoyle Mill, and Sandygate Lane, Stairfoot, in Barnsley have been identified as potential temporary stopping places.
The council has to find 48 extra spaces for gipsies and travellers to meet Government requirements. Ten are to be created if funding can be found to expand a permanent gipsy site at Smithies, leaving a shortfall of 38.
Residents and councillors have raised concerns including the proximity of Oakhill primary to the proposed Stairfoot site and the TransPennine Trail, where youths congregate at night.
Council officer Steve Jagger said the sites would be a temporary solution until permanent sites were established. He said: "If they go ahead they will not be used all the time.
"They will be available to people who are travelling through the borough who may only stay a short time."
It would also allow the council to manage travellers and prevent illegal camps on public land, he added.
Some of the costs of setting up a site could be met by using rents from council-owned caravans at the Ings site in Wombwell.
It was totally washed away by last year's floods.
The council received grant money to buy caravans which are now rented back to families.
Coun Bill Newman said: "We need to do something about the shortfall in Barnsley, but also we feel we should provide a good and appropriate space for the gipsy and traveller community."
A consultation process has now started involving councillors, residents, community groups and businesses.
Last week businessman Derek Heeley was refused permission to create a private site at the former Cudworth railway station.
He had appealed to the Secretary of State after being denied by Barnsley Council.
Secretary of State Hazel Blears turned it down because of the harm it would do to the green belt.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Light sleet
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