Objections to the Proposed Gypsy and Traveller Site
at GT02 Land abutting the Fosse Way at its junction with the B425
Fosse Alpaca and Kune Kune Pigs, a Division of Helle-Lorentzen Limited, farm land
adjacent to the above proposed site for the breeding and sale of rare breed livestock.
We have built up our alpaca herd over the last 11 years and it currently stands at 38
animals. Our herd consists of 13 stud males, including champion show animals, 2
male wethers, and 21 females with 2 cria at foot. The value of our herd is currently
£180-200,000 and the animals provide us with income from products made from their
fleece.
We are members of the British Alpaca Society and British Kune Kune Pig Society
and our herds are part of the recognised National Herds. As alpaca and kune kune
owners with valuable animals we are extremely conscious of bio-security and the
need to protect our animals from diseases such as foot and mouth, bTB and parvo
virus. These diseases can be spread by human trespass and rogue animals such as cats
and dogs. In particular young cats carry a virus which is known to cause abortion in
most mammals.
Our primary objection to the proposed site is that its adjacent proximity (abutting) our
farm exposes us to uncontrolled access by unvaccinated dogs and cats and human
trespass from possible contaminated sources. Further we birth alpaca cria each year
and the possible abortion of cria due to stress from dogs and cats, or human trespass,
would incur financial loss and considerable distress.
Our second objection is that the site, which may be used for commercial activity (as
yet undefined as suitable or contributing to sustainability) cannot be satisfactorily
integrated into the local landscape which is of an agricultural and rural nature with
long established farming operations.
We annually exhibit our animals at local events such as the Myton Hospice Fete Day,
Saltisford Canal Trust Heritage Weekend and the Xmas Craft Fair at the Fosse
Exhibition Centre.
Therefore our third objection is that the Travellers Site would have a major negative
impact upon the economic success of the Fosse Exhibition Centre and the amount of
visitors it draws in nationally, and the valuable income these visitors produce for the
local community and businesses.