Gipsies evicted from the site of the London Olympics are being given new homes in a gated development - costing the taxpayer £2million.Well, so long as it’s not just gypsies, I can’t see a problem (other than the problem of the ginormous money-pit of the Olympics itself…).
Six three-bedroom bungalows, each with a garden and a drive big enough for a caravan, have been built in Millfields Road in Clapton, East London.Though you do begin to wonder why permanent houses are being built, rather than, say, caravan pitches with hard connections…?
Work on the new complex began straight after the traveller families lost a High Court battle against being evicted from their council-owned site in Waterden Crescent in Hackney Wick. Three indoor arenas will be built there to host 2012 events.
The development has outraged residents.Well, quite. It seems that these days, to be classed a ‘traveller’ requires that you don’t travel!
Patricia Chin, 64, whose terrace home is opposite the new development, said: 'We pay huge sums in council tax but don't get this kind of special treatment.'
Katrina Gorse, 29, a mother of two, said: 'My children have to share a room but they get all that space. I thought the whole idea of being a traveller was that you lived in a caravan.'
Certainly, they put a lot of effort into staying put:
This scaffold tower marks the start of a bid by travellers to fortify the Dale Farm camp.Perhaps the UN could send some observers…?
Campaigners say the gantry erected last week will act as a viewing platform for human rights monitors in the event of an eviction attempt by Basildon Council.
7 comments:
What special treatment ? They are council tenants being rehoused against their will and will be paying rent and council tax like any other council tenant. They own their own caravans like some other, non Gypsy council tenants. They are families in family houses with a place for their caravans. That was the agreement when they settled.
The "local people" quoted would moan and pick fault if they were rehoused in dustbins. To be honest they just do not like Gypsies and that is, of course, without knowing them.
They lived and paid rent at the old site for over 20 years. They cannot travel like they used to because there are few legal transit sites and if they stop anywhere else the local moaners go into a panic attack and get them moved on. The travellers at Dale Farm BOUGHT the old scrapyard where they are living.
With the world economy going down the drain, mass unemployment and corruption growing amongst the business and political classes surely moaning Pat and other locals should get together with the unions, tenants association and other ordinary people and start campaigning for the rights of ALL working people. Maybe start with www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk.
It does what it says.
"What special treatment ? They are council tenants being rehoused against their will.."
a point I believe I made. However, I find it odd that they insist on a lifestyle for 'travellers' (and the kudos and special pleading that that entails) while doing their best to avoid any actual travelling...
"They cannot travel like they used to because there are few legal transit sites and if they stop anywhere else the local moaners go into a panic attack and get them moved on."
Can you blame them..? Modern 'Traveller' sites aren't known for their crime and gun free atmosphere...
Yep, doncha'know every homeless person gets rehoused in a 3 bedroom bungalow with a garden and a drive, in a gated community?
Meanwhile, I guess the 50% of the homeless population that are ex-Forces can hurry up and wait for the left to get all misty eyed about their plight.
As I said. Prejudice without facts. For a start DJ has not read the article.
They were not homeless. They were Council tenants of over 20 years rehoused AGAINST THEIR WILL. They did not choose the design of the site or the houses.
As for ex service men. Can you give me a quote from any trade unionist or 'left wing person' not supporting the housing of ex Forces. In fact www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk. campaigns for more council housing FOR ALL and SHELTER campaigns for the ex Forces on the streets. Are they left wing enough for you ?
JuliaM. Give me some facts on gun crime on Traveller sites. I live in South London. We have several Gypsy and Traveller sites and a lot of gun crime. Funny enough it is the non Gypsy population renown for shooting each other. The Gypsies keep to themselves and seem more concerned with going to weddings and funerals than getting involved with drugs and guns.
Again JuliaM, Gypsies dont avoid the travelling lifestyle. They are not allowed to travel and camp legally. There are few legal sites for Gypsy/Travellers (They are not holiday campers.} You all panic with the vapours when they set up in a car park for a few days. That is why they settle and only travel for a few months of the year.
As I said previously we are faced with massive job losses, house repossessions, probable cuts in services and you can only moan about a few Gypsies.
Join a tenants association, trade union or campaigning group for pensioners, ex Forces or whatever and start fighting the real enemy of working people not a few rehoused Gypsies.
"JuliaM. Give me some facts on gun crime on Traveller sites."
Can't you work Google? A simple query brought me this. And many more.
A more detailed search would turn up hundreds of reports.
What of the feud that saw several murders recently? Or the multiple escapes staged (from court, and prison vans) recently by traveller family members?
"Again JuliaM, Gypsies dont avoid the travelling lifestyle. They are not allowed to travel and camp legally. There are few legal sites for Gypsy/Travellers.."
Actually, with government help, thre are more and more of them every year. Usually over the wishes of nearby residents.
"Join a tenants association, trade union or campaigning group for pensioners, ex Forces or whatever ... "
How do you know I haven't done any of those things...? You seem keen to jump to conclusions yourself.
Thanks for replying with facts. Here are some more. Gypsies are no more likely to commit crime than the rest of the population and those not on legal sites die younger, have more deaths in childbirth and the kids dont get a decent education.
Google for anything and you will find many examples. Try those stealing and losing billions in the banks and then asking us taxpayers for billion pound payouts. They are causing more damage to all us us than all the Gypsies in the country.
There are lots of plans for legal sites but with people like yourself objecting few become a reality. There are even fewer transit sites.
It would only take a few football pitches in total size to house all Gypsies on legal sites but the objections make sure they are not built.
Gypsies are no better or worse than the rest of us. It benefits us all if they are given the chance to go to legal sites and pay their way. There are waiting lists for most legal sites as the kids grow up and want there own space.
If you were a member of a campaigning organisation for the rights of all you wouldnt be objecting to Gypsies so strongly. Do you?
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