Gypsy Traveller site raises concerns

But the applicant says he only wants the site - the first application of its kind in the county - for his family's use, as other traveller sites "cannot provide a suitable, safe or secure home environment".

And equality campaigners have called for more to be done to find accommodation for members of the travelling community - with the nearest official site for travellers at Dalkeith.

Eddie Grey and his family have applied to East Lothian Council for the change of use of agricultural land and part change of use of a yard at West Garleton Holdings for use as two individual permanent Gypsy Traveller pitches - with three caravans per pitch - as well as the installation of a shower/toilet facility and two utility units.

The application, for land opposite East Lothian Produce on the western side of the A6137 road from Haddington to Aberlady, is part-retrospective.

A supporting statement submitted with the application, from agent Forbes RS Marr, states: "The applicants, the extended Grey family, are self-declared Gypsy Travellers.

"They found that the council site at Dalkeith Colliery, jointly managed by East and Midlothian [councils], could not and cannot provide a suitable, safe or secure home environment and, more recently, found bricks and mortar accommodation unsuitable and alien to their cultural needs." "The family seeks planning permission in full to establish as a permanent, private, secure double pitch facility by way of a change of use of land and the part conversion of an existing class 4 business use property known as the shed at 8A, West Garleton. This property has previously been used as a dental workshop and for a joinery, shed-making enterprise." The statement adds that the Greys have taken occupation of the site "out of need", with there being "no safe, secure, suitable, equitable alternative authorised Gypsy Traveller site" in East Lothian.

A septic tank has already been installed on site, while there would be electricity and water, and toilet, bathing, cooking and laundry facilities, according to the planning documents.

A separate paddock adjacent to the site is currently used to accommodate visiting touring campervans, and Mr Grey is in discussions with the Camping and Caravanning Club with a view to running it as an affiliated site, for both caravans and campervans.

Agent Mr Marr told the Courier that this site was run as a separate business from the traveller site, accommodating up to five visiting vehicles at a time with a maximum stay of two weeks.

He added that there was a "policy vacuum" in East Lothian, with no policy on Gypsy Travellers having been adopted by the council in the 2008 Local Plan.

But nearby residents say they will object to the proposed traveller site on planning grounds.

Vic Williams, of West Garleton, told a meeting of Haddington Community Council: "There are a number of us at West Garleton who have concerns about this application." He said he would have "no problems" with it operating as a licensed site, but claimed it had been run as a touring caravan site without planning permission.

And while planning consultant Tony Thomas - acting on behalf of West Garleton residents - said it was "not a personal issue" with Mr Grey, but he added there were "concerns over what the Gypsy Travelling site might look like and its implications for the amenity of the area".

Bill Rarity, who monitors planning applications for Haddington and District Amenity Society, said: "It's probably an unsuitable development for that area.

"The policy [DC1 relating to development in the countryside] is clear in saying development should be compatible with its surroundings and have no significant impact on nearby places. I would doubt if that would pass these tests." Haddington Community Council had previously decided not to object to the plan; however, last Tuesday, members changed their stance.

Community councillor John Hamilton said it was "very difficult to find fault with the planning application" but was concerned over the "potential for this growing arms and legs".

Pat Lemmon said she was worried over where waste from the septic tank was being disposed of.

Member Fiona-Frances Adam said: "We need places for travelling people but they have to be places with proper facilities." The group agreed to write an objection, but will discuss it again at a meeting on Tuesday before doing so.

An East Lothian Council spokeswoman said: "The Dalkeith site is a joint Midlothian/East Lothian site with a total of 20 pitches - there is no division as such for separate Midlothian/East Lothian use.

"In recent years it has been at best half occupied so there are always vacancies. Currently there are nine families there.

"The council's responsibility for Gypsy Travellers is that, simply, they are applicants for housing and their requirements are considered in line with any other housing application - whether they wish location on a travellers' site or temporary or permanent accommodation within a house." The Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland backs the need for more traveller sites across the country.

Chris Oswald, head of policy, said: "While we have not looked at the details of the application, the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities report issued earlier this month clearly indicated that there is a severe shortfall of sites or pitches for Gypsy Travellers across Scotland.

"The provision of a single site in the East/Midlothian area is helpful, but it does raise questions of choice - would other prospective council tenants accept being told they could only ever live in one street in East Lothian?

"The commission would recommend a diversity of provision for Gypsy Travellers would be preferable, owned by the council, privately, or by the community." Mark Bevan, programme director for Amnesty International Scotland - which is focusing on the plight of Gypsy Travellers - added: "Many Scottish Gypsy Travellers are living in appalling conditions, despite the fact they pay council tax and rent.

"We want to ensure local authorities throughout Scotland are committed to protecting the rights of everyone who lives here and are sensitive to the needs of the diverse communities that contribute to our country today."