This micro-site has been put together primarily to publish the results of a Freedom of Information Act request made by Fairfield Park Residents Association ("FPRA") to Mid Beds District Council ("MBDC").
The site does not aim to offer any particular opinion but to make accurate information available for individuals to make their own views and actively take part in the consultation process.
It was initially set up for residents of Fairfield Park and Fairfield Hall by the FPRA Gypsy & Traveller Site Allocation ("G&T") sub-committee. However, we are aware that this information may be of interest to our friends and neighbours in the local area.
At present, the site primarily contains the following information:
i. the latest news we are / have been made aware of - see adjacent;
ii. background information and links to further information - HERE; and
iii. the Freedom Of Information Act request and responses - HERE.
As and when we become aware of any more information, whether directly or via other local sources (including yourselves), we will aim to get it uploaded as soon as feasible. Please remember that this site is run by volunteers in their spare time and is not monitored 24/7. If you do have any comments, questions, suggestions or ideas - FANTASTIC - they will be gratefully accepted. Please note however, it may take some time to read, check their accuracy, find the answer and where appropriate respond.
A word of caution - it is recognised that this subject is an emotive one. Whatever your personal views, please be sensible when using this information and / or contacting any body. Offensive and /or racist comments will not help any argument and they will not be accepted, considered, posted online or responded to by the FPRA.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is only for information related to G&T consultation being carried out by MBDC. For all Fairfield Park related issues, reference should always be made to the main FPRA website - www.fairfieldparkresidents.co.uk. (This has been separate to ensure maximum bandwidth and protect the technical integrity of the main FPRA site.) | LATEST UPDATE... Updated 23 March 2009 At the last meeting of the Mid Beds District Council ("MBDC") Executive held on 18 March 2009, it was agreed to recommend that officers once again review potential sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches across the Mid Bedfordshire area, to incorporate a requirement for five further pitches in the district dictated by EERA - bringing up the requirements to 27 pitches in the MBDC area. A further consultation will now be required once the new Central Bedfordshire Council taskforce team is established on the amalgamation of the MBDC and South Bedfordshire District Council on 1 April 2009. It is too early to identify the effect this decision will have on existing proposed sites in Arlesey and Stotfold which were included in the last round of consultations. The following is a copy of the MBDC press release (original available here): "Back to the Drawing Board At its very last meeting today (18 March) Mid Beds District Council’s Executive agreed to recommend that officers review potential sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches across the Mid Bedfordshire area. This decision follows a requirement from EERA to find another five pitches making the overall additional requirement, 27 pitches for the district plus a possible further10 transit pitches. The review will now be undertaken by the new Central Bedfordshire Council, who will need to decide how the review will be undertaken, by whom and the criteria that will be used for shortlisting sites. The Executive also requested that officers now write to EERA to request the criteria they have used in coming to their calculations for Gypsy and Traveller need in Mid Bedfordshire. Deputy Leader of Mid Beds District Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning, Ken Matthews said: “EERA have indicated that after 2011 the requirement for pitches may increase by 3% annually. This is wrong. Local need should determine how many pitches are required in Mid Bedfordshire and not EERA or the Government.” The review means the timescale for agreeing suitable sites will slip as further consultation will be required. We anticipate a new shortlist of sites included in the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document would be considered by Central Bedfordshire’s Executive early in 2010." We are seeking further information on how the above will tie-in with the amalgamation of Mid Beds District Council and South Beds District Council (who are currently carrying out a similar exercise to locate 50 pitches within their district) to form Central Bedfordshire Council. oOo
“eNews” Updates FPRA are to begin circulating information direct to residents via email. If you would like to receive such updates please send an email to fpra@btinternet.com with “SUBSCRIBE” as the subject line and the first line of your address. We request your address so that we know you do not need a paper copy when they are being circulated. If at any time you wish to stop receiving updates then email fpra@btinternet.com with “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the subject line, with your address line in the same way. |