Travellers seek advice on a move to Laindon (From Echo)

Travellers seek advice on a move to Laindon

8:20am Monday 8th November 2010 in Basildon By Jon Austin

TRAVELLERS faced with eviction from Dale Farm have made the first move towards relocating to Pound Lane in Laindon.

They have sent preliminary plans to Basildon Council asking for advice before putting in a full planning application.

Dawn French, council head of environment and community services, said: “We have received some paperwork that forms part of pre-application discussions, which is always encouraged as part of the normal planning application process so applicants are clear about what needs to be submitted and what they should be aware of in terms of relevant policies.”

However, she stressed this does not mean an application has yet been submitted.

Candy Sheridan, of the Gypsy Council, who is preparing the application said she was awaiting feedback before the full plans go in, but the council appeared to be dragging its heels.

The land is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency which has offered all the land it owns in the district as suitable for possible relocation of traveller sites.

The council withdrew from discussions over alternative sites after this information was revealed by the Echo.

Since then, the agency has said it would not support any site proposals if the council is against them. The travellers are also continuing the battle to stay at their camp in Crays Hill with the help of students from the Human Rights law Clinic at the University of Essex in Colchester.

They have just released a second Save Dale Farm bulletin which has gone out to activists across the globe.

It details recent clearances of illegal pitches at the Hovefields site in Wickford and the county court battle between four residents at the site and the council over alternative housing they have been offered.