A petition has been launched calling on Cheshire East Council chiefs to ditch plans to open a transit site for gypsies and travellers at Cledford Hall.
Cllr Jonathan Parry, Labour Cheshire East Council member for Middlewich, launched the petition online on Tuesday – and it has had more than 100 signatures so far.
By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Residents in Nantwich can soon have their say on a key council document that will pave the way for a transit site for gypsies and travellers.
Cheshire East Council is about to open consultation on the latest draft for the second part of its local plan – formally known as the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (SADPD).
By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Urgent action is being demanded to prevent unauthorised traveller sites springing up at Barony Park in Nantwich – after it was hit by its 10th encampment this year.
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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.
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.
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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 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.
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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