2:10pm Friday 26th February 2010
By Warwick Payne
SHORTFALLS in the law are hampering the city council’s ability to move on travellers, members have been told.
Winchester City Council viewed a list of all known camps in the district — legal or not — at a meeting on February 18.
Members heard there were 10 sites with planning permission offering 35 pitches, of which 11 were vacant.
There were also seven illegal plots that were all in the Meon Valley except one near Colden Common.
They did not include a new site at Ropley that villagers are currently raising concerns about, which comes under East Hampshire District Council.
Lib Dem member for The Alresfords, Cllr Simon Cook, asked if Winchester might reopen the old Dummer traveller site with help from Basingstoke councillors.
Cllr Keith Wood, Tory cabinet member for planning, said it had no plans to revive the old site, and was waiting to hear from Westminster how many traveller pitches would be needed in the long term.
Cllr Wood confirmed that the city council was "frustrated" it did not have the appropriare powers to deal with illegal sites.
"It’s not because of inadequacies amongst the officers, but inadequacies in the law," he added.
Cllr Tony Coates, Tory cabinet member for housing, added there was nothing to stop people outside the district bidding for council homes.
He said 12 per cent of Winchester properties went to bidders from elsewhere, and all cases were judged on the needs of the applicant.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/trade_directory/