Testun llawn:
During this consultation period and in particular at the Barford public meeting, WDC has singularly failed to address public fear and community concerns relating to the siting of gypsy and traveller sites in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour. Direct questions have been asked of the relevant officers and no comfort or intelligent comment has been received in return. In Barford as a case in point the response went something like "We dont know, it is difficult for us because we have not done this before". In consultation publications we have even been treated to images of touring caravans instead of traveller sites.
Quite rightly, people are at pains to avoid prejudicial comment. It has no place in public consultation nor decision making, however our community's fear is real and has not been addressed. Fear, be it based upon fact or upon misunderstanding is corrosive and damaging and has a tangible impact on residential amenity. Fear will not go away unless WDC tackles it head on and provides us with concrete and compelling evidence to allay it.
I have already mentioned that open and direct requests to WDC in public meetings have not delivered any information to allay our fears (be they based on fact or perception). It is unfortunate that at exactly the same time, our community fears have been strengthened following the occupation of land outside the village for a week by a group of travellers. During that occupation our fears about antisocial behaviour were strengthened by the total disregard shown by the travellers to property. The site was left in a disgraceful state when they left. Waste of every kind was left strewn including in a neighbouring field that had been used as a communal toilet. The community's fears about vehicle crime were strengthened when uninsured vehicles were identified by the police. Our community's fears of crime were strengthened when several individuals were taken into custody relating to the theft of fuel.
The effects of fear on a community, be they based upon fact, perception or misunderstanding should not be underestimated. Where sites are proposed close to existing settlements I urge WDC to tackle head on the real fears of those communities. Either communicate the issues openly and honestly and discuss suggested approaches remedies and solutions, or provide tangible evidence that the fears are misguided.