Council confirms plans to sell five Gypsy and Traveller sites
A decision made last week, confirmsthe County Council’s intentionto sell all five of itsGypsy and Traveller sites as going concerns.
Thereportsays that due tooverall budget pressures and lack of funding to invest in the sites, the best long-term optionis to offer them for sale to either residents or other potential landlords. The five sites are Green Park (Amersham), The Orchards (Chalfont St Peter), Mansion Lane (Iver), Wapseys Wood (Gerrards Cross) and Bottom Waltons (Burnham).
Since 2004, the Council has hadno legal responsibility to provide Gypsy and Traveller accommodation although it has continued to do so. However, in line with other councils who have already taken the decision to dispose,preparations for sale are now being made in Buckinghamshire. Legally, site residents and their pitches have protection under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
Cabinet Member forPlanning and Environment, Warren Whytesaid the Council had worked with site residents and other partners closely throughout the lead up to the decision.
“We recognise this is a potentially controversial move and that it will be unsettling for residents. But in the end, it’s the only viable option to properly safeguard the sites in the longer term.When it comes tomarketing,thecurrent planningconditions for each site will be madeabsolutely clear.
Mr Whyte added, “I want to make sure that, whoever the new owners or managers might be,that site residents have the same level of confidence that they had when we managed the sites.”
A further, formal Cabinet Member decision will be made before any final sales areconfirmed.
The Cabinet Member report is availableat –https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5320