Angry residents unite over proposals for travellers’ homes

8:00am Saturday 21st April 2012 in Trowbridge

Wiltshire councillor Francis Morland with angry Southwick villagers at the proposed site of one of the homes Wiltshire councillor Francis Morland with angry Southwick villagers at the proposed site of one of the homes

DEFIANT villagers are urging councillors to throw out a bid by two gypsy families who want to build their mobile homes on green fields in Southwick.

Mother-of-eight Theresa Cash wants to move her family into a mobile home, a dayroom and a touring caravan on a plot of land at Poplar Tree Lane off Frome Road.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Barney, 34, who was jailed for a year last month after he falsely tried to obtain money from an 87-year-old man, wants to create a similar site for his wife and three children at Hoopers Pool, also in the village.

Villagers say the plans are unacceptable because of the potential impact on the value of their homes and the surrounding countryside.

They packed a meeting of Southwick Parish Council on Tuesday to vent their anger at the proposals.

Construction worker Dennis Swift said: “We have spent £100,000 doing up our house only to be told that we could be set to lose £175,000 on the market value if this gypsy site goes ahead. If I had known we wouldn’t have bothered and would probably have sold up.

“They say that it is only for one family, but this is a gateway for many others to come in.”

Andrew Grist, of Bradley Road, said: “It would be a dark day for Southwick if these plans go ahead.

“Other people have wanted to build house extensions and have been l Continued: Page 5

Comments(25)

loathtrowbridge says...
8:27am Sat 21 Apr 12

how can people presume that you will get more than one family on the site at the end of Hoopers Pool? There just is not the space there for a whole colony of Gypsys, these "villagers" (I use the word loosely because Hooper Pools is not actually classed as part of the village) are just not looking at this in a logical manner. Also, there has been a mobile unit on land next to number 2 Hoopers Pool for many years and in that time there has also been a caravan and other vehicles on this plot, none of theses people have complained about that. It is just because the word "Gypsy" is mentioned. I have to agree that the proposed sighting at the end of Poplar Tree Lane is more of a concern, firstly because of the size of that site....there will be no stopping the expansion there (the council will probably relish the prospect of £6000 for each unit they allow!) and secondly for the fact that the family who wish to place their home there are known to be very dubious with "feral" children who will probably increase the crime rate in the area......and I am led to believe that they don't attend school....if there is a concern about them being homeless and this childs health why don't the council offer them a nice house on one of the estates in Trowbridge? Surely each of these cases needs looking at independently and on there own merit?

Report this post »

masie11 says...
9:06am Sat 21 Apr 12

Perhaps the tax man and others should be looking into where Mr Barney got the money to buy the site. In veiw of his prision sentence.

Report this post »

melkshamwizard says...
12:59pm Sat 21 Apr 12

only one family was moving on to the site next to the semington crematorium but look how many now,theres one law for them and one for us,wonder if they pay all thier taxes like we do

Report this post »

notscot says...
6:19pm Sat 21 Apr 12

melkshamwizard wrote:
only one family was moving on to the site next to the semington crematorium but look how many now,theres one law for them and one for us,wonder if they pay all thier taxes like we do
No. They don't.

Report this post »

Spetisford says...
7:14pm Sat 21 Apr 12

This is an absolute travesty for the people of the locality and I will sign any petition which is against such action.

Report this post »

redrum says...
9:36am Sun 22 Apr 12

8 kids, does she know where they are coming from yet.Why have so many kids unless you can afford to house them and are paying for it yourself. I too hope this plan gets refused. As for the Jimmy chap, crime seems to pay for luxuries again it seems.

Report this post »

Dummer_Frauenfahrer says...
11:02am Mon 23 Apr 12

To follow up on a point made in the first post, as any WT reader who watched the recent 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' series on TV recently will know, they rarely send their children to school after the age of 11. Perhaps someone could explain why they escape prosecution for that, as other parents can get fined just for removing their kids for a holiday during term time. It also seems that gypsy drivers have an exemption from seat belt laws too, did anyone see belts being used at all in that TV series?

Report this post »

loathtrowbridge says...
1:25pm Mon 23 Apr 12

They don't have to tax their cars or pay council tax either......often I wonder why the average English person is so discriminated against in favour of the minority....I am all for letting people get on with their own lives as long as they let me get on with mine, with no interference, but in this country it just doesn't happen like that!

Report this post »

loathtrowbridge says...
1:25pm Mon 23 Apr 12

They don't have to tax their cars or pay council tax either......often I wonder why the average English person is so discriminated against in favour of the minority....I am all for letting people get on with their own lives as long as they let me get on with mine, with no interference, but in this country it just doesn't happen like that!

Report this post »

loathtrowbridge says...
1:25pm Mon 23 Apr 12

They don't have to tax their cars or pay council tax either......often I wonder why the average English person is so discriminated against in favour of the minority....I am all for letting people get on with their own lives as long as they let me get on with mine, with no interference, but in this country it just doesn't happen like that!

Report this post »

loathtrowbridge says...
1:25pm Mon 23 Apr 12

They don't have to tax their cars or pay council tax either......often I wonder why the average English person is so discriminated against in favour of the minority....I am all for letting people get on with their own lives as long as they let me get on with mine, with no interference, but in this country it just doesn't happen like that!

Report this post »

Custard cream says...
2:48pm Mon 23 Apr 12

What a joke!!! Let them set up home outside the council offices, or better still, outside their houses, see if they like it then!!!!

Report this post »

LadyGrace says...
8:10pm Tue 24 Apr 12

I live in Southwick and when my partner and I heard about these plan's we had a discussion and have decided that we would rather move then risk living down the road from these people. My partner is just concerned about his garage full of expensive motorbikes and tools and I can't say I blame him! We've already had gypsys turn up on our estate and steal the engine of his car in broad daylight!! The site on Poplar Tree lane is huge and can house a whole community of travellers. And why wouldn't they all move there? Southwick is set in the beautiful countryside. All they will do it pollute it! :(:(:(

Report this post »

LucyHall says...
6:42pm Sat 28 Apr 12

Construction worker Dennis Swift said: 'We have spent £100,000 doing up our house only to be told that we could be set to lose £175,000 on the market value if this jewish site goes ahead'

DEFIANT villagers are urging councillors to throw out a bid by two Jewish families who want to build their mobile homes on green fields in Southwick.

Jewify.org

Racism against travellers and gypsies is still racism.

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:35pm Sun 29 Apr 12

notscot wrote:
melkshamwizard wrote:
only one family was moving on to the site next to the semington crematorium but look how many now,theres one law for them and one for us,wonder if they pay all thier taxes like we do
No. They don't.
Have you proof of that or is your proof comments in the Sun newspaper?

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:37pm Sun 29 Apr 12

redrum wrote:
8 kids, does she know where they are coming from yet.Why have so many kids unless you can afford to house them and are paying for it yourself. I too hope this plan gets refused. As for the Jimmy chap, crime seems to pay for luxuries again it seems.
She owns the land and would house them if she didn't have to abide by rules that are stopping her from housing them. wake up dosey

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:38pm Sun 29 Apr 12

Dummer_Frauenfahrer wrote:
To follow up on a point made in the first post, as any WT reader who watched the recent 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' series on TV recently will know, they rarely send their children to school after the age of 11. Perhaps someone could explain why they escape prosecution for that, as other parents can get fined just for removing their kids for a holiday during term time. It also seems that gypsy drivers have an exemption from seat belt laws too, did anyone see belts being used at all in that TV series?
Are you seriously suggesting that BFGW is typical of the Travelling people? Would you then say Jeramy Kyle is typical of British people?

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:40pm Sun 29 Apr 12

loathtrowbridge wrote:
They don't have to tax their cars or pay council tax either......often I wonder why the average English person is so discriminated against in favour of the minority....I am all for letting people get on with their own lives as long as they let me get on with mine, with no interference, but in this country it just doesn't happen like that!
Have you evidence they dont have to do this, who gave them exemption from this if this is the case or are you just parroting stereotypical rubbish you read on a far right forum?

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:41pm Sun 29 Apr 12

Custard cream wrote:
What a joke!!! Let them set up home outside the council offices, or better still, outside their houses, see if they like it then!!!!
I think they want to set up home on their own land, why should that be such a problem?

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:46pm Sun 29 Apr 12

LadyGrace wrote:
I live in Southwick and when my partner and I heard about these plan's we had a discussion and have decided that we would rather move then risk living down the road from these people. My partner is just concerned about his garage full of expensive motorbikes and tools and I can't say I blame him! We've already had gypsys turn up on our estate and steal the engine of his car in broad daylight!! The site on Poplar Tree lane is huge and can house a whole community of travellers. And why wouldn't they all move there? Southwick is set in the beautiful countryside. All they will do it pollute it! :(:(:(
It might be best if you move completely out of the country! Going by your comments you pollute it with your presence. This country rejects racists and you without a doubt, as shown by your comments, are certainly that.

Report this post »

E-Types says...
9:47pm Sun 29 Apr 12

LucyHall wrote:
Construction worker Dennis Swift said: 'We have spent £100,000 doing up our house only to be told that we could be set to lose £175,000 on the market value if this jewish site goes ahead'

DEFIANT villagers are urging councillors to throw out a bid by two Jewish families who want to build their mobile homes on green fields in Southwick.

Jewify.org

Racism against travellers and gypsies is still racism.
Good point but will probably be lost on this level of humanity.

Report this post »

Reasonable1 says...
10:39pm Sun 29 Apr 12

I have never heard such unpleasant racism from so many comments. Travellers have a rich history and culture. Housing in bricks and mortar is not suitable. I would fear for the children's safety at school with this level of abuse in the local paper. Families who wish to live on their own land in the traditional way should be supported. I wonder if any of the settled community who have commented have even visited these people and got to know them as neighbours. The travellers are not the unpleasant ones I would suspect. It makes me deeply ashamed as a settled person to hear this vindictive nonsense.

Report this post »

Beardy Mike says...
9:34am Tue 1 May 12

Reasonable1 wrote:
I have never heard such unpleasant racism from so many comments. Travellers have a rich history and culture. Housing in bricks and mortar is not suitable. I would fear for the children's safety at school with this level of abuse in the local paper. Families who wish to live on their own land in the traditional way should be supported. I wonder if any of the settled community who have commented have even visited these people and got to know them as neighbours. The travellers are not the unpleasant ones I would suspect. It makes me deeply ashamed as a settled person to hear this vindictive nonsense.
very true.

people are a angry when travellers dont abide by our planning rules, but then when they do put in a valid application the locals fight them anyway.

Report this post »

E-Types says...
7:19pm Tue 1 May 12

Beardy Mike wrote:
Reasonable1 wrote:
I have never heard such unpleasant racism from so many comments. Travellers have a rich history and culture. Housing in bricks and mortar is not suitable. I would fear for the children's safety at school with this level of abuse in the local paper. Families who wish to live on their own land in the traditional way should be supported. I wonder if any of the settled community who have commented have even visited these people and got to know them as neighbours. The travellers are not the unpleasant ones I would suspect. It makes me deeply ashamed as a settled person to hear this vindictive nonsense.
very true.

people are a angry when travellers dont abide by our planning rules, but then when they do put in a valid application the locals fight them anyway.
90% of Traveller applications turned down against 20% of non-Traveller's What choice do they have.
We should applaud them for challenging racial discrimination when they apply retrospectively for planning permission.

We all reject and are against racial discrimination, right?

Report this post »

Gower says...
8:48pm Sat 5 May 12

I agree with a lot of the comments in favour of the travellers. I do think they have the right to live how they choose and that they are following traditions of their race. However, how can someone who has lived in the village all their life bought their property and applied for planning permission be refused on the grounds of the area being sensitive and the distraction it "could" cause to drivers, by the way this was for a 2 room extension nothing ostentatious. If travellers want to do soemthing they should applyt as they have the same as everybody else has to and if it's in Southwick they should come across exactly the same negativity and the refusals that the residence and yes tax paying residents have to face. Whether your Jewish, European, Black, White or Traveller their shouldn't be discrimination, but at the same time you can't play the race card when something doesn't go your way or you face opposition.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree