ON WEDNESDAY, May 13 residents had the chance to view the plans for the proposed gypsy and traveller site at Derriton, near Holswor­thy.

The site, the former Devon County Council Highways Depot, purchased by Torridge District Council, will comprise of seven pitches each with an amenity block, space for two trailers, a car parking space, and planting areas.

There will also be a children's play area and warden's office on the site, which will be surrounded by thick hedges and trees.

After carrying out a rock face report, safety zones around the outside of the site have been included in the plans. A full contamination survey and wildlife survey have also been carried out.

It has not yet been decided who will manage the site, Devon County Council or Torridge District Council, but those applying for pitches will need to provide references, sign tenancy agreements and agree to a code of conduct.

Last month, the district council's Policy, Perfor­mance and Resources Committee gave approval to proceed with the submission of a planning application, in association with Tarka Housing, for a gypsy and traveller site. The application is expected to be submitted in June and it is likely to be heard by the plans committee on August 13.

Torridge are applying for funding from the government for the site. Their bid will be entered in June and they expect to hear the outcome in Septem­ber/October. This, along with the planning decision, will determine when work can start on the site, however, Torridge aim to commence development at the end of the year. It has been estimated that it may cost up to £900,000 to build the site.

A good number of residents attended last week's exhibition of the plans. Peter Beer from Torridge's Property and Procurement Department said: "There's been quite a lot of positive feedback, and obviously a lot of concerns as well."

CONCERNS

Concerns expressed about the site included the lack of street lighting and footpaths/pavements, the flooding of the river, the provision for sewage, and the unstable rock face.

One resident, whose husband and uncle used to work at the quarry site, said: "It's a miserable, depressing site. If I was a traveller I wouldn't want to live there."

Another Derriton resident questioned the safety of the site due to the unstable rock face: "Devon County Council shut it through safety, how can Torridge District Council put people in there?"

With regards to the sewage, Peter Beer said they had not yet decided the exact location for the sewage plant, however there would be an on site package plant.

Other concerns expressed by residents included a possible rise in crime and the affect on property prices in the area.

An unhappy resident, who believed property prices would half and the crime rate would go up, said: "We moved from Hertfordshire to get away from things like this. It's all about their rights and not about the rights of the local village or the people in the area."

However, Penny Dane from Devon Racial Equality Council said the site would have "very little impact on the area". She said: "People are always negative when it comes to gypsy sites. They don't want them beside the road but when they're given a site they don't want that either.

"Torridge District Council are only fulfilling their duty. They've been asked to provide sites and they've gone ahead proactively. They should be commended."

Derriton was a small site of only seven pitches, which would be contained and managed. Penny said: "It's the equivalent of a small social housing development. That's how people have got to look at it."

Follow­ing a Devon-wide needs assessment, it was identified that Torridge would be required to provide 24 pitches across the district. However, Torridge dispute there is a need for 24 pitches. Maria Bailey, Torridge District Council's Comm­u­nity Planning Manager, said: "We do not believe from our own research that there is that level of need. However, we do know there is a need for seven pitches."

'SHOWPIECE'

Maria said the Derriton development would be an exemplar site, not only in terms of what the site looks like but also in terms of what is done to integrate the travellers and gypsies into the community. The site could then be a showpiece for other areas.

Maria said there had been a "lot of very sensible things" brought up during the consultation which they would need to go back and look at, including a possible footpath.

Chairman of Pyworthy Parish Council, Andrew Parrish said he was pleased Torridge were holding consultation events: "There will be other consultations before the planning goes in, which has got to be a good thing.

"The more people come and air their views the more sway they'll have as parishioners."

Residents to the consultation were able to take away questionnaires to fill in about the plans.