On LineYou Can Email
at Waiting for the ghost bus Page
by Page
|
. |
. | |||
SPEAK OUT!Last month, permanent planning permission was granted for an official Travellers’ site in Rendlesham Road, near Hackney Downs. The decision was made in 10 minutes with unanimous support from all four political parties. There was one objector, who didn’t turn up; one petition against the proposal raising management issues which reflected some of the Travellers’ own concerns; one petition of support from the local church and various letters of support including one from a house owner overlooking the site. There was also one from the local school speaking of how the children had become part of the local community. It was a ‘proud to live in Hackney’ moment. It has been a 5 year struggle to get this far. The Travellers have been living on the site with temporary planning permission for the past 5 years, paying £80 a week each for portaloos, a shared standpipe tap and very poorly drained hardstanding for their trailers which has been constantly flooded this wet winter. Ironically, this level of rent was instrumental in getting the support of one of the local residents’ associations who, like most people, thought that Travellers paid no rent and taxes. This support has fluctuated over the years due to poor management but the local church, the school, their local councillor, many local residents and the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit have stood by the Travellers in the campaign to get the site upgraded. The Travellers visited councillors’ surgeries, wrote letters, sent deputations to six Council meetings, made a successful Ombudsman complaint and spoke to the media. We hope that government funding will come through and a site will be built of which we can all be proud. Perhaps we need to learn from some of our neighbours Frieda Schicker represents the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit.
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
Our regular ‘Speak Out!’
feature provides a platform for readers who wish to write about controversial issues which
may affect Stoke Newington. The views expressed are purely personal and do not necessarily
reflect those of the magazine. For those who may feel aggrieved and who are mentioned in
any article, we guarantee the right of reply. 
