Dear Sirs

Gypsy & Travellers - Consultation - Comments

The proposed sites close to Bishop's Tachbrook are a matter of concern to this small community for various reasons. It is difficult to understand the requirement to provide some permanent sites for people, who by their very nature, are itinerant travellers. If they wish to settle permanently in a community, they should accept the responsibilities it entails, caring for the site and paying the relevant taxes to the WDC.

*The proximity to the M40 motorway and busy trunk roads would be a hazard, particularly for their children.

*The effect on the small village school of an influx of itinerant pupils will be detrimental to the general standards of education and lower the rating of the school for local families

*Oakley Wood is a local beauty spot and leisure area for walkers, dog owners and families. The purchase and restoration of the wood by WDC was much appreciated and many of us support the efforts of the "Friends" to improve this ancient woodland and use it as an education facility with special events. A travellers' site nearby would threaten the peace and security of the area, and cause anxiety for lone female walkers in an unsupervised area.

*Travellers' sites are renowned for being depositories of rubbish, at the cost of local Councils. This prospect is daunting for residents of this well-kept area of Warwickshire.

*The multi-million pound Guide Dogs complex near Oakley Wood is the envy of the world. How will it look adjacent to an untidy Travellers' site? The security of the site and danger of infection would also be of concern in the strict hygienic conditions of the GD buildings.

*The rules governing the running and payment of the proposed sites is sketchy and unclear.

*Our recent local experiences of law breaking by travellers has led to concerns about the lack of effect law in dealing with miscreants and threatening behaviour

*Perhaps the legal requirement for local sites could be met by housing them near the police depot on A46, near Greys Mallory island.