The agreement to withhold the original
planning application was based on the promise by David Parsons (Of Leicestershire
County Council) providing an alternative suitable site, in fact Mr Parsons came
up with two possibilities, one being close to Hinckley and the other on the outskirts
of Castle Donnington, neither of which have been found acceptable by Mr Mugglestone.
He
firstly complained that there was no consultation between the two councils, where
as in fact this is totally untrue, David Parsons HAS and STILL IS
in consultation with Roger Blackmore and Roman Scupalak, the leader and deputy
leader of the City Council respectively.
Indeed Mr Mugglestone is in no
position to talk of non-notification, as the Ratby Lane case was never even notified
to immediate neighbouring district councils of Ratby Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe and
Leicester Forest East.
He maintains that the sites would not be convenient
for the travellers… (and indeed why should they be) ,,, but seriously by
the very nature of their way of life they do travel and bearing in mind that the
site would only support travellers for a maximum of twelve weeks they would have
no alternative but to travel else where. He also maintains that the Police would
NOT be able to transfer them between the two council areas which is in the case
at the present moment. Legislation would be required to rectify this. However
I understand that at no stage (discussions have already taken place) has the police
NOT refused to escort them in the future. At least David Parsons has come up with
some alternative and if Councillor Mugglestone has looked at alternative site
why has he not informed us of where these possibilities were and more the case
why were they not taken into consideration. For example giving a more detailed
explanation for refusing to have a site in his own ward of Hamilton.
During
his interview with BBC Radio Leicester Mr Mugglestone stated that "There
was only one property affected by the proposal" meaning Mrs Pauline Hewitt
of Cottage Farm Ratby Lane, in fact there are two, with a neighbouring farm and
not surprisingly he made no mention what so ever of the three and a half thousand
objection letters already in the councils possession, these include not only residents
from all the surrounding area but also of the many local business's which would
be affected by the plan. Also no mention was made of the fact that this an extremely
busy and dangerous road.
Finally the gypsy liaison officer at County Hall,
have had discussions with representatives of the travellers who have confirmed
that THEY (the travellers) do NOT think that the site is suitable due to the exposure
of the site and the fact that there would be inadequate entry and exit.!!!
Your
thoughts and comments are appreciated | 
