Sarah Dines MP visited residents in Clifton to listen to their views having received a number of emails about the potential to have a permanent traveller site in Clifton.
Sarah Dines said, ‘After receiving multiple emails from residents and the Parish Council in Clifton regarding the rumours of a traveller site being proposed in the village, I visited residents to hear their views on this matter and to have a look at the speculated site, from a distance. My understanding is that the rumoured site has not become a formal proposal. I will also do my best to facilitate in any way I can to make sure that residents views are heard at the highest level.
I was interested to be shown the site that is apparently proposed and hear the strength of feeling of constituents around this site. The District Council have a statutory obligation to provide a permanent Traveller site and I do feel that in not providing a site, we are not only letting down residents who have to then deal with illegal encampments, but also the Traveller community. The site does however have to be appropriate and residents feelings must be taken into account. I have been assured the council are making every effort to find a site and I look forward to hearing their formal proposals.
I will be following this progress with interest and will be happy to meet with residents in Clifton again should the site the residents suspect be confirmed and subsequently open to full public engagement.
I cannot stress enough how vital it is that residents voices are heard on this matter.
