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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."
kb, rochford says...
11:05am Sat 8 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
11:07am Sat 8 Mar 08
ShipShape, Basildonk says...
11:23am Sat 8 Mar 08
Sam, says...
11:41am Sat 8 Mar 08
the undertaker wrote:'What you are actually saying is there are no greenbelt laws and all and sundry can build what ever they wish'.
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.
Happy®, A.B.C. says...
12:02pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Sickened, says...
12:25pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Michael, Basildon says...
12:27pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Francis Grubb wrote: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!
So that'll be "nul points" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) Frank
schraube, canvey says...
2:10pm Sat 8 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
2:52pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Michael wrote:Thats a selfish and misguided quote really is'nt it.
Francis Grubb wrote: So that'll be "nul points" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) FrankI 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!
saddam, iraq says...
2:52pm Sat 8 Mar 08
curious, says...
2:55pm Sat 8 Mar 08
mike b, Billericay says...
4:45pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Michael wrote: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.
Francis Grubb wrote: So that\'ll be \"nul points\" north of the A127 to Bas Labour come May 1st then ;) FrankI 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!
Jan, Essex says...
6:57pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Mark, Basildon says...
7:12pm Sat 8 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
7:50pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Jan wrote:It has never been a scrapyard,it was a car breakers then a car salvage yard.
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.
Fred Freispracher, Basildon says...
8:02pm Sat 8 Mar 08
curious, says...
8:13pm Sat 8 Mar 08
the undertaker, crays hill says...
8:32pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Fred Freispracher wrote:Why should the residents of crays hill pay....!
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.
thats it, Basildon says...
8:53pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Steve, in front of PC says...
11:32pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Jan wrote: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.
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.
knobby, billericay says...
11:40pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Vernon, Basildon says...
11:56pm Sat 8 Mar 08
curious wrote: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.
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.
labour hater, basildon says...
12:15am Sun 9 Mar 08
Jan wrote:what are you worried they might move near to you, I hope they do.
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.
linda, basildon says...
12:30am Sun 9 Mar 08
knobby wrote: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.
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.
dave turner, says...
12:33am Sun 9 Mar 08
midnight warrier, wickford says...
12:58am Sun 9 Mar 08
Kim Gandy, Rayleigh says...
8:01am Sun 9 Mar 08
curious wrote:What can I say that I haven't already said? Except I am weary of blithering leftwing liberal politically correct scumsucking garbage.
Kim - you have the floor
Kim Gandy, Rayleigh says...
8:04am Sun 9 Mar 08
Fred Freispracher wrote: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.
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.
mick, Essex says...
8:06am Sun 9 Mar 08
Jan wrote: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.
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.
Vernon, Basildon says...
8:15am Sun 9 Mar 08
schraube, canvey says...
8:45am Sun 9 Mar 08
JJ, says...
9:01am Sun 9 Mar 08
zero tolerance, Basildon says...
10:03am Sun 9 Mar 08
curious wrote:"You pays your money, you takes your chances!"
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.
Sam, says...
10:17am Sun 9 Mar 08
schraube wrote:You dont complain about the Virgin centre and the new southend stadium being built on greenbelt land though do you.
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!
Linda, Pitsea says...
10:38am Sun 9 Mar 08
mick wrote: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.
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"?
knobby, billericay says...
10:58am Sun 9 Mar 08
Linda wrote:Terminus Drive, Hovefields, Dale Farm, wherever, these scroungers should not be encouraged to relocate anywhere except from whence they came. IRELAND.
mick wrote: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.
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"?
mick, Essex says...
11:23am Sun 9 Mar 08
Linda wrote:It was John Prescott's proposal,not mine !
mick wrote: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.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\"?
schraube, canvey says...
11:58am Sun 9 Mar 08
Sam wrote:Do not be so stupid!!
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.
Curious, says...
2:05pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Vernon wrote:Vernon
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.
curious, says...
2:28pm Sun 9 Mar 08
curious, says...
2:52pm Sun 9 Mar 08
mike b, Billericay says...
3:55pm Sun 9 Mar 08
curious wrote: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
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...
4:29pm Sun 9 Mar 08
schraube, canvey says...
4:48pm Sun 9 Mar 08
curious, says...
5:21pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Sam, says...
5:29pm Sun 9 Mar 08
schraube wrote:
Sam wrote:schraube wrote: Sorry but do you realise what these scumb
Francis Grubb, Westcliff says...
10:38am Sat 8 Mar 08
Frank