Derbyshire Dales Councillors Provisionally Approve Four Temporary Traveller Sites

Councillors in Derbyshire Dales have given their in-principle approval for the allocation of four temporary sites to traveller families. This decision is anticipated to resolve a long-standing, decades-long disagreement regarding suitable locations for these families. Subject to the granting of planning permission, these four sites—located in Rowsley, Matlock, Matlock, and Middleton by Wirksworth—will be made available for a two-year period. This arrangement is intended to last until a permanent site can be established. Strong opposition persists concerning the adoption of these sites. Residents expressed their anger during a meeting held this week at County Hall in Matlock. From an initial list of six potential locations, two sites in Wirksworth and Matlock were removed from consideration due to environmental concerns. The annual maintenance cost for these sites is estimated to be approximately £300,000 for the council. The planning permission process will necessitate environmental assessments. This is due to contamination concerns identified at some of the sites and the fact that certain locations border land designated as a flood risk. Derbyshire County Council had previously voiced its opposition to the progression of all the proposed sites. The district council’s planning committee is scheduled to make a final decision on the approval of these sites at a subsequent time. Steve Flitter, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, informed the BBC that the decision “wasn’t ideal, but it’s a good start to a way forward”. Councillor Marilyn Frank, who serves as chair of the cross-party traveller working group, stated that the ultimate goal remains a permanent site. She commented, “I’m pleased with tonight’s result.” She further added, “It’s not ideal, it’s far from ideal, car parks…[the families] need somewhere which can be developed, where they have adequate privacy and can live like any of us live, in privacy and with respect.” Attendees at the meeting asserted that the council had disregarded problems stemming from families already using Matlock Bath’s Station Yard car park, specifically mentioning noise disruption and negative effects on tourism. Peter Baranek, chair of Matlock Bath Parish Council, stated that coach companies opting to bypass the car park had led to a reduction of thousands of visitors and millions in lost revenue for the local economy. Sue Hobson, the Conservative group leader, cast her vote against the proposals. She was the leader of the district council when the current site in Matlock Bath, predominantly occupied by the families, was initially approved as a temporary solution. She addressed the meeting, saying: “All those people who have taken the time to come and speak at council meetings again and again…you’ve been totally ignored.”