Kushti-Bok criticises traveller sites in BCP and Dorset area

The chair of Dorset traveller advocacy group Kushti-Bok has criticised both BCP and Dorset Council for their apparent lack of preparation for travellers visiting the region and has called for more designated sites.

Government planning policy for traveller sites requires local authority's to set pitch targets which address the likely needs of travellers in their area.

BCP Council has no such sites or any plans to introduce one, while Dorset Council has just one with another temporary site planned.

Betty Smith-Billington urged the authorities to address the situation.

Chair of Kushti Bok, Betty Smith-Billington

She told the Echo: “You’re never going to stop travellers from travelling, it’s their way of life. The council has a duty to provide council or social housing to those who can’t afford their own homes, so why don’t they support gypsies and travellers?

“The thing is, they don’t speak to the travelling people. We have the solutions, but they do not listen, they just say ‘move them’.

“At the end of the day, the council have created this situation because they bar people who then go somewhere else and the issue doesn’t go away.”

When asked what she would say to those unwilling to pay council tax for such sites, Betty said: “We understand that, but there’s a lot of people who don’t want their council tax spent on all sorts of things – that doesn’t mean those things aren’t necessary.

Betty also stressed that if more transit sites were introduced and travellers were to treat them poorly, the offenders should be banned. “Every council should have at least two or three sites because they would end up making money through deposits”, she added.

Piddlehinton site

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “We take providing both permanent and transit sites for gypsies and travellers very seriously.

“These sites are subject to national planning policy and as such have to go through the planning process. This means balancing the needs of the travelling community and that of Dorset residents. We are looking at further sites as part of the Dorset Council Local Plan.

“Transit sites have basic amenities and services, such as a water supply. They may be used for days or weeks, up to a maximum of three months. Gypsies and Travellers have to pay for a pitch on a transit site. Currently there is the one site at Piddlehinton and a temporary site will be set up as part of the Great Dorset Steam Fair.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “At present there are no plans for a site of this nature, however we will continue to work with residents, key stakeholders, the police and the gyspy and traveller community in developing any future recommendations.

Travellers at Poole Park in summer 2017

“The introduction of a temporary stopping place or a transit site is a complex process which would require planning permission, including a period of public consultation and engagement with both residents and representatives of the gypsy and traveller community, including Kushti-Bok.

“As a council we work closely with Kushti-Bok and other representatives. We are very appreciative of the guidance and support that Kushti-Bok provide, which ranges from contributing to the heritage exhibition at Poole Museum to attending many meetings, including our community network meetings.

“We will continue to engage and take feedback from all community groups so that the needs of all of our residents and visitors can be catered for.”

Betty concluded: “At the end of the day people must remember that gypsies and travellers are human beings. We’re not all thieves and vagabonds. There’s good and bad in all communities, but there are more good travellers than bad.”