"Under the Housing Act 2004, local authorities have to identify and meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. The council began its search for suitable sites for the community several years ago but until now has been unsuccessful in finding or delivering "culturally appropriate" land in the borough. Philomena Mongan, a Hackney-based Irish Traveller advocating for the community, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service families were "very happy" to see the new sites put forward for consultation."
"Although she believes the sites are small, she praised the council for "pushing" for them to be delivered. But she also shared her dismay that the plans had provoked a backlash, including responses that were removed from the official consultation report because of discriminatory remarks. Ms Mongan said: "They don't realise these families have a lot of history in Islington and have been there a long time.""
"Islington Council has proposed nine potential travellers' sites after years of failed attempts to secure suitable land. The plan, which could provide up to 13 permanent pitches in the borough, has been welcomed by campaigners, though is likely to face local opposition. Nancy Hawker, policy officer at London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT), said these families in the borough were "desperate for pitches" and blamed the failure to find suitable land earlier on "extensive" campaigning against the council's proposals by those objecting it."
Islington Council has put forward nine potential sites to provide up to 13 permanent pitches for Gypsy and Traveller families after years of unsuccessful searches for culturally appropriate land. The proposal aims to meet statutory obligations under the Housing Act 2004 to identify and provide accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers. Local advocates welcomed the consultation, saying families were pleased and desperate for pitches, while critics mounted extensive campaigns against earlier proposals. The consultation produced discriminatory responses that were removed from the official report. Historical presence of Traveller families in Islington dates back decades, with some households arriving in the 1970s and later moving into permanent housing.
Read at www.bbc.com
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