North East Herts MP Oliver Heald is urging constituents to respond to the draft policy on gypsy and traveller accommodation which has been put out to consultation by the East of England Regional Assembly. The consultation runs until 16 May. The consultation document can be found at www.eera.gov.uk and is also available at main local authority offices.
Oliver is against the policy which involves imposing a minimum levy of fifteen pitches per local authority area, regardless of need. The need for travellers’ pitches in North Hertfordshire has been set at three pitches, but the minimum levy means that fifteen pitches have to be found, even though there is no traveller tradition in North Hertfordshire and travellers have objected to the East of England’s proposals.
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “This consultation is an opportunity for concerned residents to respond to the East of England Regional Assembly, making it clear that they do not support the minimum levy of fifteen pitches per council area, regardless of need. I would urge constituents who consider this to be unfair to travellers and North Hertfordshire alike, to contact the East of England and make their views known.”