Other traveller sites 'looked at' before Branksome Triangle

Anger has been brewing at BCP Council over plans to use Branksome Triangle, off Bourne Valley Road, as a permanent base for travellers. 

Ward councillors said they were not told in good time while residents in the area have been left unimpressed. 

Resident Daniel Parkin asked the council leader at a full council meeting whether the appropriate procedures were followed before BCP decided on Branksome Triangle. 

Branksome Triangle (Image: Phil Broadhead)

Council leader Vikki Slade said the new Local Plan, which is still being drawn up, must accommodate all people – including Travellers. 

She said: “A Local Plan that does not include provision for them would be thrown out by the inspector as it would not be sound.” 

Cllr Slade added: “In terms of the site considered, we have never had any sites previously. 

“Those sites were promoted to us by private landowners and there were no planning applications for permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites which have been declined. 

“There was a planning application for a transit site in the green belt, but this was refused and we have chosen a strategy whereby we are not releasing any green belt.

Cllr Broadhead with Cllr Karen Rampton (Image: Phil Broadhead)

“In summer 2023 we turned to our council landholdings for potential sites. We assessed several sites and the preferred site was the Branksome Triangle. 

“The site meets all the relevant criteria with its own access with limited impact on neighbouring homes and without other restrictions.” 

Mr Parkin questioned whether there were any gagging orders placed on councillors surrounding the traveller site. 

She replied: “The Local Plan working group was set up to enable councillors from across the political spectrum to guide the local plan.  

“There are no gagging orders but it would be inappropriate for a councillor to share privileged information with the public whilst the strategy is being prepared.” 

Council leader Vikki Slade (Image: Freelance)

Part of the site is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) meaning that the impact of developments must be assessed and mitigated.  

Ward councillor Phil Broadhead said he and his colleagues were told about the “secret” plans two days before they were due to be published. 

He said: “Having made a recommendation to remove this site at the scrutiny committee in November, which was rejected by the other parties, since then we have worked with the planners to recommend a much more appropriate site on the edges of the conurbation.

"This was again rejected at Tuesday’s full council meeting, with the leader Vikki Slade calling the plan 'disrespectful'. 

"I’m sure our local residents wouldn’t agree with that verdict - especially when such an inappropriate site has been forced on them last minute.

"We’ll be working closely with the local community throughout the consultation process for one final, last-ditch effort to see off these proposals."