The central government funding has been warmly welcomed by the County Council. The authority says it can now proceed with its plans to upgrade the Southerham site, which is also known as ‘Bridies Tan’.
Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Cabinet Member for Community Services said the funding will help the Council’s overall Gypsy and Traveller strategy. “We want to reduce the number of unauthorised camps but in order to do this we need to provide the right facilities at authorised sites.
“This funding will enable us to get on with work to upgrade the site at Southerham. Our plans also include better site management which will help improve relations with the local community.”
The Department for Communities and Local Government announced the funding for the site at Southerham this week, as part of an overall £15m package to help improve living conditions on authorised Gypsy and Traveller sites across the South East.
The funding for Southerham will be used for expensive site preparation works (because of the geology of the area) and then the provision of nine transit site pitches, plus a resident site manager. Work will start in the Autumn and it is hoped that the improvement scheme will be completed by early 2008.
Reference:
1286
Contact the press team
