Who We Are.
We’re an action group from Newent in Gloucestershire, set up to coordinate the local residents’ response to the unauthorised occupation and development of just under 6 acres of agricultural land on Southend Lane.
Our Aims.
- Oppose Enforcement Appeal APP/P1615/C/09/2107067 lodged against the Forest of Dean District Council’s order which gave 28 days notice that the site must be returned to its original condition and be vacated within 12 weeks.
- Assist the FODDC and Gloucestershire County Council in their efforts to make proper provision within the Forest of Dean for Gypsies, Travellers and their families, so they don’t feel they have to resort to breaking the law in order to set up home.
Latest News and Developments
Newent RAID interviewed by Telegraph
Our representatives attended the First National Conference ‘Equality in Planning’ Jan 2011, organised by Meriden RAID.
There was plenty of media coverage and the following is an excerpt from an article in the Telegraph:
Mark Greening of Residents Against Inappropriate Development, a group based in Newent, Gloucestershire, said of yesterday’s meeting: “It’s the start of something big to put more pressure on politically and to show that this is not just a local issue for communities, it is a national issue.
“This is the first national conference of its kind. The gipsies and travellers have a collective approach to these things and so should we.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for everybody involved in such issues across the country to come together, share information and demonstrate to politicians that the respectable, settled communities do care.”
Deadline for Comments on the Latest Appeal
We have until 21st January 2011 to send our comments about the Discharge of Condition of appeal decision APP/P1615/C/09/2107067 (8) (i) siting of caravans and ancillary structures, drainage, external lighting, fencing details.
If you’d like to submit your comments but have not already already done so, there are various methods available. Please contact us and we’ll run you through the processes.
Southend Lane Press
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
GIPSIES have told officials their illegal site in Newent is sinking into the mud.
The travellers at Southend Lane say they need to keep shipping in lorry loads of stone to stop the infrastructure sinking any further.
Angry residents have been alarmed by the number of lorries arriving at the Newent site which the travellers have been told to quit by January 31, 2012.
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
NEWENT town councillors have roundly rejected discharging planning conditions at a gipsy site in Newent.
The conditions were imposed on the site off Southend Lane by planning inspector David Baldock in December of last year.
His decision stated planning permission was allowed on the site until January 31 2012 as long as the conditions were met.
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
PLANNING officers issued a stop notice at a gipsy site in Newent after finding unauthorised work was taking place.
Residents and members of Southend Lane Action Movement were alerted on Friday morning that construction equipment had been delivered to the field off Southend Lane.
Planning officers visited the site on Friday but could not find any evidence of unauthorised development, but issued the order the following day after revisiting the site.
National Press
Daily Telegraph
Residents’ groups from across the country have launched a united call for reform of the law on travellers’ sites.
They urged the Government to close “loopholes” in the planning system which have been used to encroach on Green Belt and other protected land.
Representatives of communities which are opposing unauthorised gipsy and traveller camps in their areas met Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, to voice their fear that gipsies are being given preferential treatment by the planning rules.
Daily Mail
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman rejected claims of ‘gipsy racism’ yesterday after pledging to take tough new action against illegal traveller sites.
Ms Spelman clashed with a travellers’ leader as she defended villagers in her Midlands constituency who have staged a round-the-clock demonstration for more than six months against an encampment on greenbelt land.
BBC News Birmingham
The prime minister has pledged to give councils more powers to help them deal with illegal traveller developments.
David Cameron was asked what he would do to help residents in two Warwickshire villages where travellers have illegally built on private land.
He said he would introduce the Localism Bill to give all local authorities more power over local planning decisions.