North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has received dozens of letters, emails and telephone calls from local residents about the consultation on new travellers sites for North East Hertfordshire. Oliver is to attend a meeting with Sandon residents concerned about proposed sites in their area, having already had discussions with the local Parish Councils. Oliver is also to meet local farmers to discuss the issue under the auspices of the National Farmers’ Union.
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “I have been strongly against the Government’s demand that areas such as ours which have no real traveller tradition, should make extra pitches available. It is obviously wrong to force travellers into areas where they do not wish to be, and where there is no tradition of the traveller lifestyle. I would urge all residents to respond to the forthcoming consultation held by North Hertfordshire District Council which starts on 24 January, setting out their views about the proposed sites.”