Gypsy site safety fears for young
CHILDREN of gypsy and traveller families face serious health risks if they are to be housed on a former North Lincolnshire tip, protestors fear.
North Lincolnshire Council has proposed building a permanent gypsy and traveller site on land at Caistor Road, Barton-upon-Humber.
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OPPOSITION: Barton townsfolk met to discuss the perceived health risks of building a traveller site on a former landfill. Speakers included Cleethorpes MP Shona McIsaac (inset), whose constituency includes Barton-Upon-Humber. PICTURES: David Haber.
But the controversial scheme has met with stiff opposition from local residents, who maintain the site is unsuitable.
About 60 concerned townsfolk attended a consultation meeting at Barton's Assembly Rooms on Friday night.
And the speakers included Cleethorpes MP Shona McIsaac, whose constituency includes Barton.
Mrs McIsaac said: "This site has been a landfill site."
She said, because of its previous use, there could be hazardous materials in the ground and there was potentially a further danger from methane gas seeping through the soil.
"As far as I am aware, nobody has ever done any tests on that land to find out exactly what is in there. Nobody has done any proper chemical analysis," she said.
Bob Moore, one of organisers of the protest group and an industrial chemist, said there was evidence of methane gas permeating through the soil, which would still come to the surface even if the top was removed.
"It's explosive," he declared, adding exposure to the gas could also lead to brain damage.
Neither Coun Mick Grant, North Lincs Council cabinet member for housing and planning, nor any other members of the lead Labour group attended the meeting.
Coun Grant, however, later said: "The council is currently consulting on proposals for gypsy and traveller sites and I would urge people to have their say through the official channels.
"The council will consider all views before making any further decisions."
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7 Comments
by G.Etreal, Down South
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 12:50PM
“I sincerely hope the authorities are monitoring this site and logging the IP addresses of some of the biggots postings on this site. Many of the postings - mostly removed by SET by now - are clearly illegal, and could well lead to police action.
I do hope they are watching and checking...”
by somewhere, over the rainbow
Monday, February 02 2009, 9:48PM
“Quote
"It's explosive," he declared, adding exposure to the gas could also lead to brain damage."
would anyone notice the difference??”
by T Woollard, Barton upon Humber
Monday, February 02 2009, 7:47PM
“Most of the comments made on this story would be rejected by North Lincs Council as being "rascist or abusive". What we need are non-emotive and constructive points or objections. As for publicity we delivered hundreds of leaflets in the local area. We are not affiliated to any political party or organisation, but rather local people who wish to ensure that settled residents have as much say as the Gypsy and Traveller community have had. The meeting was attended by our local local MP who is Labour as well as the prospective Tory candidate, whilst the chairman was an Independent from outside the area.”
by Steven, Liverpool
Monday, February 02 2009, 4:29PM
“T Wollard, can you confirm you didn't publicise your meeting in advance because you didnt want gypsies to turn up and put their views across? Sounds a very dodgy tactic to select your audience and then claim a 'public' meeting...”
by kel, scunthorpe
Monday, February 02 2009, 4:11PM
“well this site sounds perfect put then all there an let then blow there selfs up, problem solved !!”
by T Woollard, Barton upon Humber
Monday, February 02 2009, 2:45PM
“I was one of those who spoke at the public meeting and I was also one of those people who requested a petition hearing after the first stage of the consultation last September. We found out that the decision to shortlist the 2 sites was taken before the petition meeting took place. Whilst the council report said that Caistor Road had only 31 objections, but we believe the number was alot more than that. Also the petition was only counted as 1 objection. We urge everybody concerned this time to make their views known. We do appreciate that Gypsies and Travellers have to live somewhere but there are too many practical problems at Caistor Road. Please look at the Second Stage Consultation Document on the North Lincs Council website, or at the Library, or at a Link Office. Register your views online or send a response form in. Gypsies and Travellers have been consulted and now it is your turn. You have until the 6 March 2009 to respond. It is important that you make your thoughts known. Finally, if you know of suitable alternative places for a Gypsy and Traveller site include that on your response form.”
by caistor road resident, barton
Monday, February 02 2009, 1:05PM
“It's ok holding these meetings but many people who would like to oppose to the gypsy sites are afraid of repercussions from the gypsies and the families of the gypsies that are already housed on the caistor road estate. These residents have to live among them and keep thier children safe.”