Dear Sir/Madam,

Last evening, Mon. 22nd July, I attended a meeting at Harbury Village Club re the above. I went because over the past week there has been a plethora of posters, letters and notices objecting to the proposed sites near Harbury on the Fosse Way, I have been horrified and saddened by the extent of the antagonism, vitriol and fear that this process has generated. One of the points made very strongly was the fact that Harbury residents had not been informed directly by the Warwick District Council of the planning proposals for these sites, also many people have had unfortunate experiences of contact with the travelling community and this seems to be raising the emotional stakes. I would add here that equally the travellers have had negative experiences from the settled community, they must feel like complete outcasts from society at times.

What I did not hear from anyone was that there had been consultations between any local people and the travelling community; any effort to find out what they would like; or any positive attempts at reconciliation between groups of people who are becoming more and more antagonistic towards each other. I hear that the police are afraid to go into any of their sites - why? Is this true and if it is, it is quite unacceptable.

All I know is that every conflict in the world starts like this, protecting your own self interest, fear of difference and the unknown and pointing the finger of blame. Travellers have been rejected and villified and permanent residents feel their way of life and property are threatened. Attitudes cannot change overnight but I really feel that the grassroots problem is not being addressed and some rethinking needs to take place.

Firstly find out exactly what the travellers want and how they would support it. Are they willing to meet members of the settled communities to talk and try to work out a constructive way forward. Education for the children is a desperate issue, does each site need an education unit, a health input, i.e. how would each site be serviced? Could there be simple events on neutral ground where say women from each community could be invited to share even a cup of tea and a chat.

Maybe I sound naive but we are all human beings and prejudices have to be addressed and somehow overcome or the situation will never improve.

I would value any meaningful comments on the above.