We believe in fair play. We live in a modern Britain. We are proud to be part of a diverse and multicultural nation. We are proud to be Gypsies and Travellers.

Too many councils, politicians and newspapers seem to think they don’t have to play by the rules. Gypsies and Travellers are being discriminated against. Fair play means being honest and telling the truth; it means giving the weak and vulnerable a helping hand not stamping on them.

About 90% of planning applications by Gypsies and Travellers fail, as opposed to 20% from the settled community. In the past councils have failed to follow planning guidance and help Gypsies and Travellers find land they can buy. It’s not fair that so many Gypsies and Travellers are homeless. It’s not fair that many official sites are next to rubbish dumps and sewer works. It’s not fair that our children can’t stay in one place long enough to get a decent education. It’s not fair that our community has a life expectancy 10 years less than average.

But it’s not fair either that some people in the settled community are inconvenienced by unauthorised encampments.

We don’t want knee-jerk reactions.

We want solutions that are fair for everyone. We need more choice, more legal sites, more dialogue and more understanding.

Janie Codona, Bridie Jones Siobhan Spencer, Kay Beard and Rob Torkington on behalf of the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition Committee

Source

Housing Today