Dear editor
Travellers on the Barony Park again
The end of July not only brought with it an abundance of rain, sufficient to cause the cancellation of the Nantwich show, but also the ninth unauthorised encampment on the Barony Park this year.
A Crewe and Nantwich police chief said he has “sympathy” for residents suffering from unauthorised traveller encampments in the towns.
But Chief Inspector Simon Newell added that the police’s hands were largely tied.
Campaigners have drafted a 36-page report on how to protect Barony Park in Nantwich as residents witnessed the ninth unauthorised traveller encampment at the weekend.
Councillors joined Nantwich residents to measure out Barony Park in a bid to speed up action and install perimeter protection.
Members of Friends of Barony Park were joined by Nantwich Town Councillors David Marren and Cheshire East Council Leader Sam Corcoran in the exercise.
An angry Nantwich store boss told how a gang of four men stole hundreds of pounds of items and assaulted the 66-year-old owner as he gave chase.
Phil Hinton, manager of Jepsons menswear on Hospital Street, said furious staff chased after the gang who they believe were part of an unauthorised travellers group on Barony Park.
A Section 77 notice has been served on the latest group of travellers to set up an unauthorised encampment on Barony Park in Nantwich, authorities said.
Nantwich Town Council was told tonight (July 11) that the notice means they have to leave by tomorrow evening or face court action.
By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council chiefs are determined to secure a transit site for gypsies and travellers – but the council’s new leader admits it will not be popular with neighbours.
Cheshire East Council is considering whether to revive plans for a transit site at Cledford Hall in Middlewich following a spate of unauthorised encampments in the borough, including five on Barony Park in Nantwich this year.
Dear editor
Last week’s front page of the Chronicle seemed to be ‘givin it large’ about Kieran Mullan’s suggestion that Cheshire East Council needs to apply for an injunction to prevent travellers occupying the Barony Park, as though an injunction is the “silver bullet” to prevent further occupation.
A Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich has called on Cheshire East Council to use a Court Injunction to prevent further unauthorised encampments on Barony Park.
Conservative candidate Dr Kieran Mullan says many other UK authorities use injunctions, which would see traveller groups removed on the same day they arrive.
A Nantwich town councillor expelled by his own Conservative party for comments over the Barony Park travellers issue, says he will appeal the decision.
Cllr David Marren was suspended initially over his comments which laid the blame at the former Cheshire East Council Conservative ruling party for a lack of action over securing the park.
Crewe and Nantwich MP Laura Smith has called for authorities to secure Barony Park “urgently”.
She has joined the chorus of appeals from town councillors and residents for Cheshire East Council to fast-track work to secure the park to prevent future unauthorised traveller encampments.
By Stephen Topping
Cledford Hall is again being considered as a transit site for gypsies and travellers as Cheshire East Council deals with a rise in illegal encampments.
Cheshire East Council gained planning permission for a transit site at Cledford Hall, in Middlewich, back in 2015 – but that lapsed last year after no work had begun on the site within three years.
Bosses of Barony Park sports complex has been closed in Nantwich amid the latest unauthorised traveller encampment.
Everybody said the decision has been made today for staff and customer “safety” reasons.
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