Travellers' caravan site set for £1.6m investment to 'enrich quality of life'
A £1.63 million upgrade of a Lincolnshire traveller site has been given the go-ahead.
County council planners agreed the plans to upgrade the site at Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough, which will see improved facilities and security.
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The travellers' site in Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough.
The project has received funding of about £1.24m from the Homes And Communities Agency, with Lincolnshire County Council topping up the extra £390,000.
Chairman of the planning and regulation committee Ian Fleetwood, said: "I have had the opportunity to visit the site and I support their need for upgrading."
Original planning permission was granted in December 1982 for a 20-pitch permanent caravan site on the land.
But the refurbishment will see an addition of one pitch within the current boundary.
The 21 new units will each include a bathroom, toilet and breakfast kitchen, large enough to house a table and chairs.
Councillor Neil Cooper drew attention to the flood risks in the area and how an additional pitch could impact on this.
But the committee heard there was no intention to increase the number of caravans permitted on the site because of these risks.
The additional pitch is intended to provide greater flexibility, so pitches of different sizes to suit different families' needs can be offered.
Original planning permission did not limit the number of caravans that could be stationed on the site, but caravan numbers limited to 40.
Sam Turner, manager of the Gainsborough Traveller Initiative, believes the work is overdue.
Ms Turner said: "The site has not really had anything done to it since it was opened and it's just so rundown.
"Some of the families have lived on the site for many years and they are really excited about this.
"It will be wonderful for the little ones to be able to enjoy outside play too. It will enrich the quality of life for families and young people up there."
As well as an extended children's play area, the existing boundary fence will be replaced with a 2.4m-high security mesh fence. A CCTV system will also be installed.
It is estimated the upgrade and refurbishment work will take about 34 weeks to complete.
Residents will be relocated to an area of land adjacent to the site while this is being undertaken.
Council planners heard this will be organised by adult services at Lincolnshire County Council.
18 Comments
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by Resident, Lincolnshire
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 2:06PM
“*£10.000 each soon to those wonderful Councillors in expenses to support this*
Corruption is alive and well in Lincolnshire.”
by Claire, Lincoln
Friday, July 30 2010, 6:15PM
“Are you guys having a laugh!!!!
Tell me why do I work & pay taxes? I may as well just bum around and claim the dole. I cannot believe the Council, who are always pleading poverty are going to fund these drop outs who don't even pay council tax.
Fix our roads and spend the money on people who actualy pay their way!!”
by lynn, lincoln
Friday, July 30 2010, 5:59PM
“I hope this doesn't pop up twice.
What's the betting the scrap dealer down the road will have a bumper crop of scrap metal, from bathrooms, kitchens etc, once these units are completed!”
by me, In your closet
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:54PM
“No it wasn't actually, I dicovered this during my degree in early childhood studies. I admit some don't help the name or reputation, particularly those who share the name with a fomous footballer, but you can't tar them all with the same brush... very narrow minded way of looking at the world”
by scooby, lincoln
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:45PM
“"Research shows that the travellers are the most discrimiated against culture in Great Britain"
What research is that then? Oh I bet it was taken from the "Travellers Weekly".
I wish people wouldn't be so pigging naive.”