Gypsy sites revealed by FOI request

Gypsy sites revealed by FOI request

The 12 sites considered for Derby's first official gypsy camp have finally been revealed.

The Evening Telegraph used Freedom of Information legislation to force the city council to disclose the areas it picked as possible full-time homes for travellers. The Telegraph exclusively revealed in October that the authority was pushing ahead with a bid for Government funding to set up a permanent camp for 14 to 17 caravans on a former Rolls-Royce car park in Russell Street, Osmaston.

But the council refused to discuss how the site had been chosen, or to name the 11 other areas that had been considered. They include land at Raynesway, Chellaston, Mackworth and several sites in Osmaston.

Councillor Amar Nath, cabinet member in charge of the process, said he did not want to cause "unnecessary concern" to neighbours of the locations considered. But today, neighbours of the sites claimed they should have been told and had a chance to make their views known. They also spoke of their concern that they could be next on the list for any more camps if the Russell Street plans fell through.

We find secrets of gypsy site list (Derby Telegraph, 14 December 2007)