60 new traveller pitches not for Dale Farm group (From Echo)

60 new traveller pitches not for Dale Farm group

5:30pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009 in Basildon By Jon Austin

BASILDON Council has hinted for the first time it may create 60 new traveller pitches by 2011.

Yet this does not mean they will be alternative homes for those facing eviction at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, and Hovefields, Wickford,.

Dawn French, council head of planning, said if the council allocates land it would be for a number of small sites, not a huge camp.

She wrote in a letter to campaigner Grattan Puxon: “I have also clearly stated it was most unlikely land would be allowed for 60 pitches together.”

The council is required to provide 62 pitches by 2011, following a Government ruling.

But council leader Tony Ball said: “Only if we are forced to provide them would this happen, as we would not allow another large site.”

Mr Puxon argues if the council does have to meet the quota, it should put on hold the eviction so people at Dale Farm and Hovefields could move there.

However, Mrs French explained any new sites could be a long way off, and she warned finding alternative sites was not part of ongoing eviction negotiations.

She added: “I have repeatedly informed you there can be no undertakings regarding allocated land.

“Site allocation is not the basis of any discussions with the Dale Farm group.”

Meanwhile human rights organisations from Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany and the United States have contacted the council urging it to put the eviction on hold until alternatives are found.

Mr Ball added: “We listen to any groups, but this won’t change our position. We are dealing with UK law.”