Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, met with Essington Parish Council last night to discuss proposals for more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the area.
Gavin met with Essington Parish Council, including Councillor David Clifft, to get their support for his campaign to stop more Gypsy and Traveller pitches being established in Essington.
Gavin has been campaigning to reduce the number of pitches in the constituency since his election. He has attended debates on the subject and has pushed Ministers to make changes to planning laws.
South Staffordshire Council have launched a six week consultation, aiming to pinpoint areas across the constituency that are suitable for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, in order to meet proposals for 33 required pitches they believe are needed over the next 15 years.
New proposals include plans for three new pitches in Essington as well as an extension of the four that already exist, that both Gavin and the Parish Council strongly oppose.
Gavin said: “Essington Parish Council and I are united in opposition against these disgraceful proposals. We had a very productive meeting and we are committed to doing everything we can stop more sites being established. It is grossly unfair that our constituency is swamped with these pitches and it is time we put a stop to it.”
“We already have more than adequate provision for those who fall under the revised definition of Gypsy and Travellers, therefore more pitches would just be surplus to requirement. I am grateful to Essington Parish Council and David Clifft for attending the meeting and for their support towards my campaign. I believe that these changes are unwanted and unwarranted and I urge people to continue to make their views known by contacting the Council directly.”
You can respond to the Council’s proposals by visiting http://www2.sstaffs.gov.uk/consultation/Default.aspx and clicking on Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople Consultation.