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Labour: We would not evict the travellers

10:34am Saturday 8th March 2008

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BASILDON Council's Labour group has put on the record it would not evict travellers from illegally-built homes.

In his party's strongest attack yet on the Tory-run council's eviction battle, Labour group leader Nigel Smith said he would spend the £1.6 million and £300,000 a year set aside for evictions on other things.

Mr Smith made the pledge as he outlined an alternative to the council's budget, revealed by the ruling Tories for the next financial year.

He argued most local taxpayers thought the massive cost of evicting travellers from illegal sites in Hovefields, in Wickford, and Dale Farm, in Crays Hill, was not justified.

Mr Smithargued the money could be spent on other priorities across the district, including street cleaning, graffiti removal, services for young people and parking charge changes.

Paul Kirkman, Labour councillor for Fryerns, claimed the Dale Farm eviction was only being pursued because it was an obsession of Tory councillor John Dornan, who lives in Oak Avenue, Crays Hill, near the site.

He said: "This is an outrageous amount of money to set aside, to enforce planning laws at a former scrapyard in an anonymous country lane."

Mr Dornan, who represents Laindon Park on Basildon Council and Ramsden Crays Parish Council, said: "What you are saying is Labour would sell us down the river."

He pointed out the council voted for eviction in 2005.

Tory Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "This will be judged at the ballot box in May and shows how clearly out of touch they are with people of the district in terms of green belt issues.

"This money is not just for traveller-related planning enforcement. What Labour is saying is the travellers can stay on unauthorised sites as long as they like, which is a total U-turn."

Your Say YourEcho

Francis Grubb, Westcliff says...
10:38am Sat 8 Mar 08

So that'll be "nul points" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;)

Frank

kb, rochford says...
11:05am Sat 8 Mar 08

Thanks Labour, just another stab in the back for us tax paying, law abiding, down trodden, people of Essex/Britain again.

Boy you're really makiing me feel like the minority in my own country...

won't be voting for yo this time round then...


the undertaker, crays hill says...
11:07am Sat 8 Mar 08

He said: "This is an outrageous amount of money to set aside, to enforce planning laws at a former scrapyard in an anonymous country lane."

That comment just proves the arrogance of the labour party and the contempt it has for the electorate.
Oak road may be an anonymous lane to you , but people do actualy live there and the surrounding area.
What you are actually saying is there are no greenbelt laws and all and sundry can build what ever they wish....!
Keep up the good comments like this and you will reep your rewards in the may elections.
Good riddance to you and good riddance to your lying cheating corrupt government.

ShipShape, Basildonk says...
11:23am Sat 8 Mar 08

Looks like the Nu-Lab Think-Tank has thrown a track.

Another vote lost.

Sam, says...
11:41am Sat 8 Mar 08

the undertaker wrote:
He said: "This is an outrageous amount of money to set aside, to enforce planning laws at a former scrapyard in an anonymous country lane." That comment just proves the arrogance of the labour party and the contempt it has for the electorate. Oak road may be an anonymous lane to you , but people do actualy live there and the surrounding area. What you are actually saying is there are no greenbelt laws and all and sundry can build what ever they wish....! Keep up the good comments like this and you will reep your rewards in the may elections. Good riddance to you and good riddance to your lying cheating corrupt government.
'What you are actually saying is there are no greenbelt laws and all and sundry can build what ever they wish'.

They can, look at the new Southend football stadium.

Happy®, A.B.C. says...
12:02pm Sat 8 Mar 08

I don't normally post on other districts sites. But this has got to be a spectacular own goal from Labour. I cannot think of anything more unpopular than allowing these Pikey vermin to continue flouting the law.

But Labour have a past history of patronising the white law-abiding working class, just look at this government.

Sickened, says...
12:25pm Sat 8 Mar 08

It's about time there was a vote of No Confidence with this wishy washy council whom see fit to waste hard working peoples' money on those wishing to flout the law at any cost!
Only to be told there is due to be a further rise in council tax this year to underwrite the inadequacies of those whom see fit to waste money.
To think we pay highly inflated salaries to these stuffed shirts to represent our best interests is just rubbing salt into the wound!
Open the flood gates for more parasites to suck the system dry why not?

Michael, Basildon says...
12:27pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Francis Grubb wrote:
So that'll be "nul points" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) Frank
I am really not a Labour supporter but they are right on this issue. All that's gonna happen is the council spending millions of pounds of taxpayers' money trying to get them out. This battle will go on for years, trust me and so much money will be given to lawyers. What about this money being used for the good of the majority of people in the Basildon district? The council has a duty to act for the majority and not the minority of people living in the small village of Crays Hill. Of course, for the Tories, it is where they have quite a lot of support!

schraube, canvey says...
2:10pm Sat 8 Mar 08

That says it all.

I cannot think of a finer example of 'New Bloody Labour' doing more for the law breakers than they even think about doing for the law abiding, tax paying non benefit scrounging hard working folk!!

I hate everything about 'New Labour'and hopefully at the next General Election they will all go back to Scotland.

Then at least we might have a chance of returning to England for the English and anyone that wants to work hard pay taxes and be lawful.

the undertaker, crays hill says...
2:52pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Michael wrote:
Francis Grubb wrote: So that'll be "nul points" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) Frank
I am really not a Labour supporter but they are right on this issue. All that's gonna happen is the council spending millions of pounds of taxpayers' money trying to get them out. This battle will go on for years, trust me and so much money will be given to lawyers. What about this money being used for the good of the majority of people in the Basildon district? The council has a duty to act for the majority and not the minority of people living in the small village of Crays Hill. Of course, for the Tories, it is where they have quite a lot of support!
Thats a selfish and misguided quote really is'nt it.
Because the outcome of dale farm will set a precedent for the rest of the country.
If the council give up on this ,then they are giving these people carte blanche to develop what ever patch of green belt they want.

saddam, iraq says...
2:52pm Sat 8 Mar 08

i told them to get comical ali as there spokesman.

curious, says...
2:55pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Kim - you have the floor

mike b, Billericay says...
4:45pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Michael wrote:
Francis Grubb wrote: So that\'ll be \"nul points\" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) Frank
I am really not a Labour supporter but they are right on this issue. All that\'s gonna happen is the council spending millions of pounds of taxpayers\' money trying to get them out. This battle will go on for years, trust me and so much money will be given to lawyers. What about this money being used for the good of the majority of people in the Basildon district? The council has a duty to act for the majority and not the minority of people living in the small village of Crays Hill. Of course, for the Tories, it is where they have quite a lot of support!
You can ignore Messrs Smith & Kirkman - they're small beer - and for their support at the recent Regional Assembly for 81 more pitches for Basildon they will "reap what they've sown" at the ballot box in May.You could give a little credit to the two Labour Secty's of State who supported Bas Council in 2 appeals on Dale Farm.As for duty,the Council has a statutory duty to uphold the Planning Laws - if they fail in that duty,they'll deserve everything they get.

Jan, Essex says...
6:57pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.

Mark, Basildon says...
7:12pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Thanks Labour - you'll never get my vote while there is a breath in my body. At least Thatcher made me feel proud of my country. I WAS Labour but never ever again. You're more traitorous than the terrorists.

the undertaker, crays hill says...
7:50pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Jan wrote:
Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
It has never been a scrapyard,it was a car breakers then a car salvage yard.
And that was only a small part of it.
I take it that you dont reside in the vicinity of dale farm...!As people who post on here supporting the actions of the squatters dont have their lives affected by them.
How would you feel if all of a sudden your house was worth 40% less than its true value,(thats if you can sell) due to a neighbour from hell...!You would'nt support them would you,i suspect you would be trying to get the authorities to evict them.Thats the situation for all the residents of crays hill but on a bigger scale.

Fred Freispracher, Basildon says...
8:02pm Sat 8 Mar 08

I wouldn't vote Labour, but, frankly, they are right on the issue.

The amount of taxpayers money that's been spent on helping sad little people like John Dornan and Kim Gandy fight their sad parochial battles is ridiculous. If people in Crays Hill want it, they should pay for it themselves, without the rest of us having to fork out.

curious, says...
8:13pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Just out of curiousity,

Does anyone know what will actually happen if they do end up being removed?

Will the council buy the land back from them? or will be they still own it but not be allowed to develop any further?

I know they've done wrong, but can't help feeling sorry for the time and money they must have spent. Especially for the older ones who might have used their live savings.

the undertaker, crays hill says...
8:32pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Fred Freispracher wrote:
I wouldn't vote Labour, but, frankly, they are right on the issue. The amount of taxpayers money that's been spent on helping sad little people like John Dornan and Kim Gandy fight their sad parochial battles is ridiculous. If people in Crays Hill want it, they should pay for it themselves, without the rest of us having to fork out.
Why should the residents of crays hill pay....!
This whole debacle was created by the inaction of the council in the first instance.

thats it, Basildon says...
8:53pm Sat 8 Mar 08

I just hope at the next round of elections the people of Basildon remember these Councillors.

Who the hell wants gypsies squatting near you devaluing land and generaly making an absolute mess and thieving whenever they get the chance. The Dale Farm lot are probably the biggest parasites in essex let alone Basildon and i dont know anyone in Basildon who has a good word for them.

These councillors need to remember that they are elected by the people to represent the people NOT to embark on their godly missions against the greater wishes of the electorate.

If this is now the Labour Policy in Basildon i sincerely doubt if there will be many labour seats left at the next elections. Also seeing as Nigel Smith is one of our MP'S Husband i wonder what HER stance on this issue really is.

Personally i dont care what the use of this land was before those scroats arrived, but we dont need them, dont want them and instead of spending a hell of a lot of money getting rid of them i would be happy to see a bomb dropped on them, doubt if thats allowed though. I now await the do-gooders wrath.

Steve, in front of PC says...
11:32pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Jan wrote:
Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
I'm sure there are plenty homes to house those that are evicted. Let us not forget, as reported by the Echo, many allready have perfectly good houses to go to.


knobby, billericay says...
11:40pm Sat 8 Mar 08

Lets do our bit and try to persuade everyone we know not give any Labour candidate the time of day in May.

I don't care how much it costs, these scroungers need to be kicked out. We owe it to Crays Hill, we owe it to S.E Essex and we owe it to everyone blighted by the anti-social parasites that infest us all.

Vernon, Basildon says...
11:56pm Sat 8 Mar 08

curious wrote:
Just out of curiousity, Does anyone know what will actually happen if they do end up being removed? Will the council buy the land back from them? or will be they still own it but not be allowed to develop any further? I know they've done wrong, but can't help feeling sorry for the time and money they must have spent. Especially for the older ones who might have used their live savings.
I think you'll find that despite the apparent wealth of the travellers, they have, thus far, been getting legal aid to fight the battle.

labour hater, basildon says...
12:15am Sun 9 Mar 08

Jan wrote:
Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers\' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly \"GREEN\" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
what are you worried they might move near to you, I hope they do.

linda, basildon says...
12:30am Sun 9 Mar 08

knobby wrote:
Lets do our bit and try to persuade everyone we know not give any Labour candidate the time of day in May. I don\'t care how much it costs, these scroungers need to be kicked out. We owe it to Crays Hill, we owe it to S.E Essex and we owe it to everyone blighted by the anti-social parasites that infest us all.
Thank you, someone with a lot of common sense. If we don't do something this whole area will be full of them with their disgusting antisocial behaviour. Vote conservative they are the only party that will get our greenbelt back from their greedy claws.

dave turner, says...
12:33am Sun 9 Mar 08

THAT STATEMENT MEANS NO MORE LABOUR COUNCILORS IN BASILDON.
WELL DONE NIGEL SMITH,
IF ONLY IT WAS THAT EASY TO GET RID OF THE ONES IN THE PALACE OF WESTMINISTER.

midnight warrier, wickford says...
12:58am Sun 9 Mar 08

We need to spread the word to as many people as possible what will happen if labour get voted in. Kiss goodbye to every piece of greenbelt left in this area. The labour government haven't got a clue about what the people living here are suffering. How dare Nigel Smith say that this is about a small anonymous country lane. This is just about the biggest and most far reaching illegal activity that has ever happened to us in Essex. He is the most patronising arrogant and totally out of touch man in the labour party I have had the misfortune to listen to. I am totally gobsmacked that he can make such a stupid statement, the people of this area have rights, look at the groups that have been set up to fight the developments in Dry Street and Barn Hall just to name two of them. We will not bow down to this pig headed and short sighted government, we will fight to keep our greenbelt which is our heritage. Come on people of Essex fight for what is right and vote for what is right. The Echo is a great paper but this is a national problem in reality and needs to be dealt with nationally by this idiotic government.

Kim Gandy, Rayleigh says...
8:01am Sun 9 Mar 08

curious wrote:
Kim - you have the floor
What can I say that I haven't already said? Except I am weary of blithering leftwing liberal politically correct scumsucking garbage.

They are actually worse than travellers or any other kind of miscreant minority.

Let's start pointing the finger at the do gooders.

If we can make their lives damned uncomfortable and make it so that THEIR views are totally unacceptable, eventually, things may turn full circle until these sick, sick people actually LOOK like the minority they actually are - and believe me they ARE in a minority.

Like all bullies they just look bigger than they actually are.

We can start by refusing to accept persecution for what we say and believe in and shooting these people down in flames every time they open their mouths.

I suggest we start here, with the next one that dares express a view on this forum.

Whilst I believe in people's right to a point of view, I do not believe we should all have to agree even when they are horribly, horribly wrong and totally misguided. Informed opinions are always best.

So I say to the bleeding hearts who like to get upset on others' behalf, shut up, in advance and no, I'm not coming back to hear your blatherings. So save your breath.

Go and do something useful like looking after our OWN GENUINELY needy, like the hugely ignored elderly, who fought to save your unworthy @sses so you can spout your pc nonsense here.

There, Curious. I hope that is satisfactory. Far be it from me to disappoint.

Oh and I'm a pussycat really. Honest!

Kim Gandy, Rayleigh says...
8:04am Sun 9 Mar 08

Fred Freispracher wrote:
I wouldn't vote Labour, but, frankly, they are right on the issue. The amount of taxpayers money that's been spent on helping sad little people like John Dornan and Kim Gandy fight their sad parochial battles is ridiculous. If people in Crays Hill want it, they should pay for it themselves, without the rest of us having to fork out.
Don;t you DARE put me in the same bracket as John Dornan. Get your facts right. I don't live in Crays Hill although I am TRYING to sell my house there.

It's all right for you isn't it? They haven't affected YOUR life. Well, I hope they turn up on your doorstep next thenn you will see a "sad parochial battle" first hand.

And as for paying for it myself. I HAVE done, believe me and not just in money.

Now shut up and take your leftie views somewhere where you'll be more welcome.

People like you ought to be locked up.

mick, Essex says...
8:06am Sun 9 Mar 08

Jan wrote:
Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
A year or two ago,Labour's then Deputy Prime Minister,John Prescott,said he had a much better idea;cheap,non-green belt government land and formerly a traveller site - Terminus Drive at Pitsea.
The Council (Con),5000 locals and their MP (Con)disagreed but did you think it was a "better solution"?

Vernon, Basildon says...
8:15am Sun 9 Mar 08

Nigel Smith's attitude to this illicit activity is quite alarming.This has broader issues than just the Travellers.Is he suggesting that if illegal developments are not able to be challenged cost effectively,then they should'nt be pursued, This would be a free for all for every one who wishes to flout planning law.

schraube, canvey says...
8:45am Sun 9 Mar 08

Sorry but do you realise what these scumbags have done.

They have actually broken the law by building without planning permission, what would happen IF I was to build a mobile home in the middle of a park in Basildon?

It is the job of the Council to enforce the law!!

Plus these people are law breaking outlaws that have no place in a law abiding society, and they take full advantage of their power of intimidation.

And what gives them The Irish misfits the right to demand us to re house them?

Like the 'New Travellers' years ago evict them and let them AS THEY WANT keep travelling!!

ALL YOU NICE PEOPLE REALLY HAVE YOUR HEADS UP YOUR BUTTS!

JJ, says...
9:01am Sun 9 Mar 08

WHOOPEE, great news. I'm off to buy a cheap piece of agricultural land and a caravan. No more taxes, rates, road tax MOT. Thanks labour you have set us all free from abiding from any laws that you feel are not worth the hassle of enforcing.

zero tolerance, Basildon says...
10:03am Sun 9 Mar 08

curious wrote:
Just out of curiousity, Does anyone know what will actually happen if they do end up being removed? Will the council buy the land back from them? or will be they still own it but not be allowed to develop any further? I know they've done wrong, but can't help feeling sorry for the time and money they must have spent. Especially for the older ones who might have used their live savings.
"You pays your money, you takes your chances!"
Think of all the council tax and rate free years that have been provided by the majority of people living in this area, underwriting the wrong in the first place over decades!
If anything, Dale Farm and the like should be dipping into their own pockets and giving the tax payer a break!
As for their drug dealing and other illegal and immoral earnings, they should serve very heavy custodial sentences at the expense of their families whom have raped the land of its fruits!

Sam, says...
10:17am Sun 9 Mar 08

schraube wrote:
Sorry but do you realise what these scumbags have done. They have actually broken the law by building without planning permission, what would happen IF I was to build a mobile home in the middle of a park in Basildon? It is the job of the Council to enforce the law!! Plus these people are law breaking outlaws that have no place in a law abiding society, and they take full advantage of their power of intimidation. And what gives them The Irish misfits the right to demand us to re house them? Like the 'New Travellers' years ago evict them and let them AS THEY WANT keep travelling!! ALL YOU NICE PEOPLE REALLY HAVE YOUR HEADS UP YOUR BUTTS!
You dont complain about the Virgin centre and the new southend stadium being built on greenbelt land though do you.

Linda, Pitsea says...
10:38am Sun 9 Mar 08

mick wrote:
Jan wrote: Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
A year or two ago,Labour's then Deputy Prime Minister,John Prescott,said he had a much better idea;cheap,non-green belt government land and formerly a traveller site - Terminus Drive at Pitsea. The Council (Con),5000 locals and their MP (Con)disagreed but did you think it was a "better solution"?
Are you suggesting that you support the move to Terminus Drive, or have I misunderstood. The site was NEVER a legal Travellers Site! Yes, they stayed there illegally for a while (causing countless problems and leaving an almightly mess when they were FINALLY moved on. The reason for refusal to allow legal development were many. Furthermore, according to a letter I received from MP Angela Smith "in Basildon Council's District Plan the site is identified as appropriate for light industral use. I do not consider that it is suitable for any kind of residential development". Her words. Objection to this proposal is virutally unanimous in this area, so please, will people stop thinking of Terminus Drive as a potential replacement site for the Crays Hill Lot.

knobby, billericay says...
10:58am Sun 9 Mar 08

Linda wrote:
mick wrote:
Jan wrote: Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly "GREEN" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
A year or two ago,Labour's then Deputy Prime Minister,John Prescott,said he had a much better idea;cheap,non-green belt government land and formerly a traveller site - Terminus Drive at Pitsea. The Council (Con),5000 locals and their MP (Con)disagreed but did you think it was a "better solution"?
Are you suggesting that you support the move to Terminus Drive, or have I misunderstood. The site was NEVER a legal Travellers Site! Yes, they stayed there illegally for a while (causing countless problems and leaving an almightly mess when they were FINALLY moved on. The reason for refusal to allow legal development were many. Furthermore, according to a letter I received from MP Angela Smith "in Basildon Council's District Plan the site is identified as appropriate for light industral use. I do not consider that it is suitable for any kind of residential development". Her words. Objection to this proposal is virutally unanimous in this area, so please, will people stop thinking of Terminus Drive as a potential replacement site for the Crays Hill Lot.
Terminus Drive, Hovefields, Dale Farm, wherever, these scroungers should not be encouraged to relocate anywhere except from whence they came. IRELAND.

Strangely a country that has an equal, if not better standard of living than we do. Could it be that the Irish won't accept their anti-social antics like our soft-arsed politicians & leaders do.

mick, Essex says...
11:23am Sun 9 Mar 08

Linda wrote:
mick wrote:
Jan wrote: Labour are right to not wish to waste millions of taxpayers\' money on eviction by a bunch of bully boys (sorry bailiffs). What is the point of eviction when all you are doing is moving the problem on and then the Council has to house those it has made homeless? More cost to the taxpayers!The traveller site used to be a concreted scrap yard so it is hardly \"GREEN\" belt anyway!!! There has to be a better solution.
A year or two ago,Labour\'s then Deputy Prime Minister,John Prescott,said he had a much better idea;cheap,non-green belt government land and formerly a traveller site - Terminus Drive at Pitsea. The Council (Con),5000 locals and their MP (Con)disagreed but did you think it was a \"better solution\"?
Are you suggesting that you support the move to Terminus Drive, or have I misunderstood. The site was NEVER a legal Travellers Site! Yes, they stayed there illegally for a while (causing countless problems and leaving an almightly mess when they were FINALLY moved on. The reason for refusal to allow legal development were many. Furthermore, according to a letter I received from MP Angela Smith \"in Basildon Council\'s District Plan the site is identified as appropriate for light industral use. I do not consider that it is suitable for any kind of residential development\". Her words. Objection to this proposal is virutally unanimous in this area, so please, will people stop thinking of Terminus Drive as a potential replacement site for the Crays Hill Lot.
It was John Prescott's proposal,not mine !
The fact that Mrs Smith disagreed with Mr Prescott is no more surprising than Mr Smith and Mr Kirkland disagreeing with the Labour Secretary of State who in January,dismissed the travellers appeals on Dale Farm and supported the Council upholding the Law.I was just interested in finding out which bit of Labour's position Jan of Essex favours.
For clarity,what I don't support is anyone willfully breaking the law or irresponsible politicians of any persuasion.By the way,it might be a good idea to ask Mrs Smith where she thinks the 81 extra pitches that have been recommended to the government for Basildon should be sited.

schraube, canvey says...
11:58am Sun 9 Mar 08

Sam wrote:
schraube wrote: Sorry but do you realise what these scumbags have done. They have actually broken the law by building without planning permission, what would happen IF I was to build a mobile home in the middle of a park in Basildon? It is the job of the Council to enforce the law!! Plus these people are law breaking outlaws that have no place in a law abiding society, and they take full advantage of their power of intimidation. And what gives them The Irish misfits the right to demand us to re house them? Like the 'New Travellers' years ago evict them and let them AS THEY WANT keep travelling!! ALL YOU NICE PEOPLE REALLY HAVE YOUR HEADS UP YOUR BUTTS!
You dont complain about the Virgin centre and the new southend stadium being built on greenbelt land though do you.
Do not be so stupid!!

That has been done legally you half wit!!

Richard Branson and Southend united including Freddie Eastwood are not Irish outlaws!

They do not Rob cheat and steal from old people.

Curious, says...
2:05pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Vernon wrote:
curious wrote: Just out of curiousity, Does anyone know what will actually happen if they do end up being removed? Will the council buy the land back from them? or will be they still own it but not be allowed to develop any further? I know they've done wrong, but can't help feeling sorry for the time and money they must have spent. Especially for the older ones who might have used their live savings.
I think you'll find that despite the apparent wealth of the travellers, they have, thus far, been getting legal aid to fight the battle.
Vernon

I meant money spent on the individual plots. I had to deliver something there once, and saw some little houses etc.
what will happen to those?

curious, says...
2:28pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Kim or any member of the regular gang who might like to answer

Out of interest, If you had it in your power to have the final say, what your solution be?

Before you answer, remember your solution must be a feasible one that they might resign themselves to, however reluctantly, and one that the courts are likely view favourably.

Lets have real possibilities please, no ceaseless tirades and flows of invective. Although I am not saying that anyone does that, but sometimes even I get carried away.

The powers that be, (and James) might be reading this and may get some ideas from your suggestions.


curious, says...
2:52pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Undertaker, Shipshape, Schraube, Sam, Vernon, Steve, Knobby

My earlier post was meant to be addressed to all of you too, as well as Kim, but in going back to get your names, I pressed the wrong key too soon. Sorry, about that,

Your posts are very interesting
Would sincerely like to hear your views.

mike b, Billericay says...
3:55pm Sun 9 Mar 08

curious wrote:
Kim or any member of the regular gang who might like to answer Out of interest, If you had it in your power to have the final say, what your solution be? Before you answer, remember your solution must be a feasible one that they might resign themselves to, however reluctantly, and one that the courts are likely view favourably. Lets have real possibilities please, no ceaseless tirades and flows of invective. Although I am not saying that anyone does that, but sometimes even I get carried away. The powers that be, (and James) might be reading this and may get some ideas from your suggestions.
1.The Council should identify sufficent land (in total,less than an acre is required) but clearly this should not be green belt,not contaminated and not isolated from shops,hospitals,tran

sport etc.This land should NOT all be in one place but of a size equivalent to the government's new guidelines of a maximum of 15 pitches per site, to accommodate all current unauthorised pitches from the BDC area.This land should be used ONLY on a temporary basis until a sufficient number of the 1187 additional pitches that EERA have recommended to the Government for the Eastern Region are in place - scheduled by end 2011.As soon as sufficent numbers of of these new sites in the region are available,wherever they are,the occupiers of the temporary sites should move to them,with the council having the power to over-ride any refusal to move.
2.The Council should seek 100% funding from the Government for set-up costs,in the same way that 3 other councils in the region received funding last week for new sites.
3.The occupiers of the current unauthorised sites in Basildon should not be allowed to stay where they currently are beyond when the temporary sites are ready.
4.Meanwhile,the council should continue to take a very hard line with all unauthorised green belt development,includin

g any proposed or pre-existing unauthorised sub-division of traveller plots.

PROS:a)green belt is restored/preserved;b

)no one needs to be made homeless;c)the government pays and plays a key part;d)it alligns with the government's long term plan to regularise traveller accommodation and stop unauthorised development once and for all;e)it saves Basildon Council money;f)it would put an end to the social engineering that has taken place as a result of massive unauthorised developments such as Dale Farm;g)the government will support it over the eviction alternative;h)the courts should be content since it is not undermining current Planning Law.
CONS:a)Basildon Council will not trust the travellers to keep their part of any agreement
b)the travellers big clans will oppose being split up
c)it's far too sensible for local politicans to support because there's no political mileage in it and none of them invented it;d)it will be seen as a reward for breaking the law




curious, says...
4:29pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Mike

A most reasonable draft proposal.

Of course, since there is much the council may not have told us, some of your points may have to be looked into further, but on the face of it, it seems like an excellent starting point.

Thanks for taking the time.




schraube, canvey says...
4:48pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Curious

I will answer that my solution would be.

1. Enforce by lawful means the planning laws otherwise chaos will happen.

2. We as local tax Payers owe these people nothing.

3. Let them do as all of my family have SAVE UP and purchase property with planning/building rights.

HOWEVER:

They must not behave like they do now as an intimidating large lawless mob.


They must live within the law and pay taxes and behave like normal members of a community not like scumbags that they are now.

My Elderly parents and several other people I know have suffered at the hands of these Irish Scumbags, they frighten, intimidate and threaten ordinary folk which often kills them.

BUT Given a choice I would just send them on their chosen way TRAVELLING and not stopping!!

curious, says...
5:21pm Sun 9 Mar 08

Schraube

You are right, a very worrying precedent would be set if planning law is not upheld.

Though, planning law should always come second to human rights, the precedent setting aspect of the thing is probably the largest single reason preventing the Gov't from stepping in & ordering that they be left alone under the human rights act.

I gather, though, that your concerns are more social in nature, especially if family members have been harrassed. Yours is one of so many accounts by locals.

I wish there was some (safe) way to communicate this to the travellers. Unfortunately, they don't seem to monitor local forums, or if they do, they are silent.

Maybe James could do something to convince them that some behavioural changes would be in their own interests.

(Don't worry - He WILL read this)

Sam, says...
5:29pm Sun 9 Mar 08

schraube wrote:
Sam wrote:
schraube wrote: Sorry but do you realise what these scumb