Council announce plans for gypsy caravan site

Councillors in Carlisle have agreed this week to press ahead with plans for Cumbria's first municipal gypsy caravan site.

They have released £100,000 to pay for the deposit and architect fees for the proposed development of the former traveller site at Ghyll Bank in Harker.

If successful, the site would open next summer and would contain 15 caravans, each kitted out with toilet blocks and a car parking space.

Council leader Mike Mitchelson told the Cumberland News: "We will sign up to an option, which gives us 12 months to purchase the site. We will then consult the public before a decision is made to go ahead with it.

"We have been given a window of opportunity to apply for funding from the government which would help us meet our legal requirements with regard to our planning and housing obligations.

"We have a duty of care to help and support all our communities - and travellers are a community."

The proposed £2 million development would also contain a children's play area, secure barrier entrance, street lights, a communal room and a site office.

18/07/2008 15:33:35