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Plans will double traveller sites in Croydon


Croydon council will have to double the number of sites for gypsies and travellers under a Government housing plan.

The London Plan, which was drawn up under Ken Livingston and is being considered by Boris Johnson, requires Croydon to provide an extra 22 pitches on top of the 19 already available for travellers at the Latham’s Way site in Broad Green.

The plans are set to benefit people already living in social housing who have a “psychological aversion to bricks and mortar”.

The London Plan says 72 per cent of the need for new pitches was based on gypsies and travellers who already live in fixed accommodation.

London Assembly member Tony Arbour, who criticised the plan, said: “There is no valid rationale for doubling the number of pitches, indeed the number of caravans requiring pitches has fallen by 15 per cent in recent years. We are told that the target is based on relocating those currently in regular housing to pitches because they have a ‘psychological aversion to bricks and mortar’; this is not based on scientific research.”

Politicians opposed to the plan say the figures it is based on are flawed and argued local authorities will be forced to spend millions of pounds to meet the targets.

Under the plans, other boroughs in London will also have to increase the number of sites they have.

However, Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said more pitches are needed in Croydon and estimated it would not cost more than £100,000 for 22 new pitches.

Bexley estimated it would cost them £65,000 per pitch whereas Southwark warned they could be spending £100,000 per pitch.

Coun Mead said: “The way I would go about it is find a suitable piece of the council owns. We have to supply sewage and a water supply. If I had to pick a figure, I would think I could do the whole thing for £100,000.

“Most people turn their noses up at traveller’s sites. The one we have is well run and the people there don’t cause trouble and they look after it.”

Comments(51)

mcblount says...
12:45pm Thu 4 Feb 10

Trust Ken Livingstone to have started something so gross.

szczels says...
5:05pm Sat 6 Feb 10

I support Coun Mead in providing more pitches for travellers. Nomadic cultures have been subject to some of the worst and least challenged bigotry in Europe. The British state practically outlawed the traditional traveling lifestyle in the Sixties which has only encouraged the worst kinds of popular resentments and myth-information as reflected in comments above.

reality-bites says...
1:27pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Looks like szczels wants them all in Thornton Heath!

Nomadic culture! Haha, how naive!

popular resentments come from common experiences. Just one of the thousands of cases below!

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/news/article-
1246466/Police-smash
-Irish-traveller-gan
g-suspected-half-car
avan-thefts-UK.html

NastyMrTom says...
3:19pm Mon 8 Feb 10

reality-bites wrote:
Looks like szczels wants them all in Thornton Heath! Nomadic culture! Haha, how naive! popular resentments come from common experiences. Just one of the thousands of cases below! http://www.dailymail .co.uk/news/article- 1246466/Police-smash -Irish-traveller-gan g-suspected-half-car avan-thefts-UK.html
.... ever read a positive traveller story in the Mail r-b ?

No , didn't think so.

Rather naive of you to form an opinion in this way don't you think.

reality-bites says...
11:22pm Mon 8 Feb 10

We have an avid Guardian reader living by our local Green, he was always making excuses for saddam, criminals, vandals even Hugo Chavez.... and yes Travellers!
Never did i see such a change in a man, after Travellers moved onto the Green. Anger personified!

Angela M says...
11:08am Tue 9 Feb 10

Does this mean that I can park my caravan in a nice greenspace in Croydon and live there legally without having to pay rent? Sounds good to me! What council tax band would that fit into?

NastyMrTom says...
12:28pm Tue 9 Feb 10

reality-bites wrote:
We have an avid Guardian reader living by our local Green, he was always making excuses for saddam, criminals, vandals even Hugo Chavez.... and yes Travellers! Never did i see such a change in a man, after Travellers moved onto the Green. Anger personified!
I'm sure he was , the behaviour of some travellers is totally unacceptable. The thing is that you can't judge a community by the actions of those that make the papers. Just like you can't judge a person by the newspaper they read. Like you said ... how naive.

reality-bites says...
1:17pm Tue 9 Feb 10

If you had intellect you would notice that i didn't judge any one - Just stating facts, you know....REALITY... somewhere you are far from, Tom!

NastyMrTom says...
2:44pm Tue 9 Feb 10

You referred to szczels as naive , described your acquaintance as a 'Guardian reader' and cast aspersions about the traveller community ... all sounds quite judgemental to me r-b.
I'm afraid what little intellect I'm blessed with tells me that if you're selective about the facts you choose to believe , if you source them from biased news paper and a singular personal experience your REALITY isn't much more than your personal opinion is it ... now if you want to trade insults ...

reality-bites says...
10:03pm Tue 9 Feb 10

My aquaintance IS a Guardian reader (loss making national daily) quoting it tirelesly. Fact.

Travellers cause problems. Fact.

You and szczels have them confused with Romanies. Fact.

No aspersions, no Judgment needed.

And no need to trade insults, you struggle to convince already!

mcblount says...
12:50pm Fri 12 Feb 10

The Daily Mail is hardly a newspaper for intelligent people - they write a load of tosh. One espresso a day is not bad for you at all. Several cups is, though. Your lovely English people eat fish and chips (bad for the heart - too greasy), burgers (ditto), drink beer (ditto). One could go on and on....

NastyMrTom says...
3:15pm Fri 12 Feb 10

From the Mail article ...

But in the long-term the anti-oxidants might win out, explaining why other studies have found that regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of heart problems and diabetes.

... if you read the words you'll understand more !!

Brian L Sewering says...
8:42am Sun 14 Feb 10

Got your text msg scoff mate
Had our lovely blue eyed blonde kids out on nature trails yest lovely jubbly worthing mates cant beat it 1k better than smelly croy ha ha

northern scoffer says...
10:15am Sun 14 Feb 10

Morning Sewer... yes, your wonderful children and you and your missus fully deserve it pal... enjoy... b.t.w. did you see in your supa-doopa sizzling soaraway Sun - that argentina has prevented one of our drilling ships from reaching our Falkland Islands ? Err... pardon me, but the drilling ship the Thor Leader purchased 7,000 tonnes of argentine made steel tubes and now these people are saying, o.k. we sold you the steel tubes but we will tell you what you can or can not do with them ? let's get drilling... and return the oil to the U.K. afterall... we need it!! I suggest Sewer you inform your missus of an argie-bargy ban when shopping!! rofl!! apparently... the Falkland Islanders will eventually all become 'oil-barons' rofl!! fancy going over there and setting up shop ? lmao!! now pardon me whilst I walk the dog... laters.

Brian L Sewering says...
12:17pm Sun 14 Feb 10

Thanks bruv
We should send a war fleet to the falk isl soon having them running home to mama an papa jus like b4 yar hah hah ha is ron gettn a new face book up an running just love it mates ha ha ha

mcblount says...
9:24pm Sun 14 Feb 10

Sounds like a little boys' school playground with toy guns. Funnily enough, as regards the Tarring/Worthing area, my brother's mother-in-law has just died at Worthing Hospital, where she was completely neglected. Mayday is far better.

northern scoffer says...
10:43am Mon 15 Feb 10

Morning all... you're off for a few days then Sewer ? - school holidays again ? and yes... don't forget the argie conscripts ran like hell when the para's arrived on the Falkland Islands then... oh yes... we need a new maggie in this country... or a nick!! rofl!! all legit now - pooroltom can't say owt about racism anymore!! job done!! lmao!! Did anyone see the 'eagles' yesterday ? they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa and the eagles manager behaved diabolically on t.v. ranting and raving and waving his arms around like a drunken hooligan!! my sweet missus said she lipped read on t.v. Warnock using expletives... how vile, how common, very loutish - no doubt he had been drinking!! wait till I next see him in my road!! poor old 'eagles' will get thumped good and proper at Villa Park in the replay and will probably get relegated this year too... I've had a small wager will my online turf accountant that this will infact happen... now pardon me whilst I post some sensible, but, direct comments elsewhere. Laters.

Brian L Sewering says...
11:01am Mon 15 Feb 10

Yes half term scoff mate my proud kids are safe in tarring people say all of england was once like this
And our hosps are top notch here sunshine so watch it no neglect in our hosps at all some ppl like to blame the hosp for neglect when its lies and feeling guilty about theyr own failings

northern scoffer says...
11:34am Mon 15 Feb 10

Hello Brian... indeed... every word of your good self is very true. In todays Daily Mail matey there is an article headline, 'Learn how to queue if you want to live in Britain'... is it April 1st already ? rofl!! we could send tomfoolery out to try educate the non-queuer's along Wellesley Road seeing as she's an 'outsider' rofl!!

Brian L Sewering says...
2:55pm Mon 15 Feb 10

Thanks scoff your a diamond geeza
Im getting cheesed of of reading about all of this stuff then they say dont vote for the noodles well we are so they can go do one yar har ha ha

northern scoffer says...
4:59pm Mon 15 Feb 10

You're welcome Sewer... Ron tells me she's now made it 23 posts in five years now!! rofl!! and still no one has bothered replying to her!! sniff, sniff, another two-for-one rubbery steak 'n' chip supper!! ROFL!!

northern scoffer says...
6:58pm Mon 15 Feb 10

Jeez... dead here innit... Brian/Ron fancy going east for a while ? sadsack realises she can't reach first base with the mighty Scoffer anymore... our little play-thing is finished!! rofl!! mail youse lot the addy... lmao. ;_;

Brian L Sewering says...
7:31am Tue 16 Feb 10

Where we goig scoff mate

northern scoffer says...
10:00am Tue 16 Feb 10

'Where we goig' ? you sound like the resident buffoon rofl!! i'll text you matey.

northern scoffer says...
5:21pm Tue 16 Feb 10

Anyone see that Neil Warnock the 'eagles' manager has been asked to explain his comments after the game against Aston Villa on sunday ? quite right too!! my sweet missus was very offended by Warnocks expletives for all ans sundry to see during the game along with the loutish behaviour on the touchline!! it appears that complaining to the F.A. actually works!! rofl!! 1-0 to decent, honest, folk, everywhere!! let's see the F.A. hit him with a big fine... we don't want these football hoolies on our t.v. screens!!

northern scoffer says...
9:22am Wed 17 Feb 10

Morning all!! did anyone see todays Daily Mail ? a few articles caught my beady good eye... 'argentina imposes blockade on seas around Falklands' err... pardon me... but are going to stand by and allow these bullies to keep causing mischief around the Falklands now that it's highly likely oil is to be found in our waters ? let's put a blockade on their bully-beef!! rofl!! Second article to catch my eye was 'Councils feel the strain of immigration' ...oh really ? old hat really - we were banging on about it when it wasn't fashionable!! I won't bore anyone to death with the details as I think we all agree this lot in number ten have done agreat job in flooding the country with immigrants - therby causing havoc without first planning properly where all these people were to be housed!! - and it's not racist whatsoever to discuss these things in a polite and sensible fashion!! thirdly... The F.A. have given the 'eagles' manager Warnock seven days to come up with an answer for his loutish comments about one of the linesmen in the game last sunday... let's see what pathetic, grovelling, comments he comes up with!! and... the F.A. have now allowed the offended linesman ,Trevor Massey to run-the-line in a game this sunday!! rofl!! that's a real slap in the chops for Warnock!! reminded me of Cr2 slapping down tomfoolery some months ago on here... truely hilarious!! lmao!!

Brian L Sewering says...
11:10am Wed 17 Feb 10

Alright scoff
Got some r and r down here in lovely jubbly tarring takes it out of you travelling up 2 smelly croy everyday on worst rail comp in england first capital connect they just dont connect with the travelling public ha ha ha why our comp dont just relocate to the south coast i never know cheaper accom better class of area and better local staff im all 4 it
As for councils yes mate we all the score there nothing new is it the daily mail sits on the fence tho mates no solution but we all know

miss moneyhoney says...
1:23pm Wed 17 Feb 10

Hi scoff! belated x for the 14th!

northern scoffer says...
2:42pm Wed 17 Feb 10

Nice try boringtom... but failed!! - nothing new there then!! rofl!!

northern scoffer says...
9:46am Thu 18 Feb 10

Morning all!! and can I say firstly, Brian how we all dearly miss your early posts first thing in the morning when you are in work!! rofl!! And I did notice that the Royals stuffed the 'eagles' last night!! go, go, Reading!! SOB!! poor old Palace hovering in fourth from bottom place!! thanks my man Ron... there's an excellent drink in it for you if that voodoo what's-it's-name thingy works and the Scoffer collects from his bookmaker!! rofl!! poor old tom can natter as much as she likes about wine, floor-scrubbers (lol) and cheapo 50% off meals-for-two in better areas as long as she likes - but she'll never be able to discuss our beautiful game... oh no... we invented the game... and her very limited knowledge about any popular subject is plain to see... best stick to wine and strong lager - and leave serious discussion for us grown-ups!! rofl!! Now come on Sewer... housework and child-minding is fer wimps!! get posting!! lmao!!

Brian L Sewering says...
12:17pm Thu 18 Feb 10

Alright scoff
Thought you was on the other forums mate good idea 2 use diff names tho keeps the floating princess away from us yar ha ha ha

northern scoffer says...
1:35pm Thu 18 Feb 10

Afternoon Sewer... yes, one has to be allowed to post sensible, polite, comments, without being distracted by - shall we say - down at heel merchants ? rofl!! please keep mum though matey... leaving the sadsack in our slipstream is soo, soo, enjoyable!! pmswl!!

NastyMrTom says...
4:58pm Thu 18 Feb 10

sniff sniff .... different names same filthy smell , lol , you pair of halfwit losers

northern scoffer says...
5:13pm Thu 18 Feb 10

NastyMrTom wrote:
sniff sniff .... different names same filthy smell , lol , you pair of halfwit losers
Different names ? where ?? another blunder from oltom-the-gimper... wrong thread!! lmao!! bet you were a legend at sniffing bicycle saddles at school!! rofl!!

NastyMrTom says...
5:26pm Thu 18 Feb 10

Sorry Edwardo/Buck , you couldn't even spell it right you knuckledragging retard , must have been mistaken.
Why do you bother ????

northern scoffer says...
6:42pm Thu 18 Feb 10

I have not got the foggiest what you are rambling on about... has matron missed you on her rounds again ? rofl!! I bet she does it deliberately to see what delirium looks like from a few metres!! apologies accepted - now run along plaything... you're obviously not well today - that's what happens when your addled brain eventually turns to mush!! SOB!!

northern scoffer says...
9:09am Fri 19 Feb 10

Morning all!! I see tomfoolery hasn't come back with a reply after being 'Scoffered' last night!! rofl!! it's becoming a tad boring seeing someone fall to pieces before our very eyes... how so, so, sad... left in the slow lane yet again tom... best put your feet up and have a rest eh ? there's a gud gal... lmao!! B.t.w. Brian ? mail me on the usual one eh.

Brian L Sewering says...
1:03pm Fri 19 Feb 10

Morning scoff mate
What a day been out pony riding with my lovely kids love it down here mates so good for the kids
Seen sun mate the argentines are threatning again over the falklands they want our oil as they are short themselfs but why should we give in 2 bullys its not right is it mates

northern scoffer says...
1:45pm Fri 19 Feb 10

Afternoon you mean... but yes, it's a tad concerning that the argies are trying to blockade British waters around our Falkland Islands... and you know what ? there's not a lot we can do about it since Liebour came to power... they have reduced our forces to ridiculous levels... they get us involved in illegal wars all over the globe - then when we need to defend ourselves properly we are left scratching around - best call up Captain Mainwaring eh ? rofl!! and I do hope Brian these ponies you speak of... they are not destined for polo are they ? because it's one of the most cruelest sports around for little ponies... great, big, fat, lumps of lard are usually on the backs of these poor ponies in the so called 'sport' of polo... yanking their heads around, twisting and turning very quickly, the poor creatures suffer terribly... vile 'sport' for vile people... should be banned!!... at least in horse racing the animals run and jump which is natural to them... now pardon me - i'm having my spanking new car cleaned and valeteted by a professional company outside my home. Laters.

Brian L Sewering says...
4:05pm Fri 19 Feb 10

No just for young ppl mate we are not cruel in the country we love our animals mates over and out captain yar har ha ha ha

northern scoffer says...
10:28am Sun 21 Feb 10

Good morning Brian and Ron... good to see you treat those little ponies with respect matey... and I see in my Mail on Sunday that the 'eagles' have dropped into the bottom three!! rofl!! a little team for little people!! with a bit of luck they'll get relegated and the Scoffer will collect!! rofl!! can it get any worse with Ron's voodoo curse!! lmao!! now pardon me whilst I check out another half dozen news forums. Laters.

Brian L Sewering says...
11:18am Sun 21 Feb 10

Morn captain ha ha
We had a great day yest pony riding with the kids in our countryside then last nite had a meal in one of our local hotels the staff know how 2 treat ppl right as they have been british high standard trained uk best in world mates apart from one manwell lookalike or whatever they call him out of fawlty towers yar ha ha but we dont know ourself living in our british countryside best in the world mates laters scoff got you there ha ha

Brian L Sewering says...
7:18am Mon 22 Feb 10

Morning team
Gordon brown has been bullying so thats him finished mates back in smelly croy but had a nice week with my lovely wife and blonde blue eyed kids in lovely jubbly tarring i urge every one 2 try somewhere better than croy mates

northern scoffer says...
9:39am Mon 22 Feb 10

Good morning from lovely wet and cold Dumplington you decent, honest, people cold and freezing weather is great - it get's rid of all those nasty bugs that try lingering around, unlike those sweaty, humid, grubby, countries, where the bugs just linger around all year!!... and can I say a big thank-you to our local bin-men who have removed some 'extra' waste from our bins... i've just given them a big Scoffer thumbs-up and e-mailed the highways department of further garbage in the road leading to our industrial estate... total morons who did this!! and yes, Brian - you moved to a better area - well done you and your family!! and of course... British standards in the hotel industry is top notch... it's why many foreign companies fly-into the U.K. to hold their seminars and high-level conferences - as your relative will confirm Sewer... i've seen and spoken to many of these foreign reps when i'm using Luton Airport who say British hotel staff are so, so, professional and highly trained - i'm a frequent traveller and know many of the Luton staff - and other airport users who like me keep this country moving whilst layabout extremist morons post bile and crud on internet news forums!! ring-a-bell ding-a-ling-tom ? rofl!! poor old sadsack and the eagles are bottom three now and Ron's pin cushion seems to be working!! go, go, Ron da man!! and I did notice in my Daily Mail today that argentina have now backed down and allowed our drilling ship to arrive in our protected waters around the Falkland Islands... these bullies must have got word that Barnsley born 'n' bred Mavis our tea-lady was on board with her rolling-pin!! go, go, Mavis duck!! rofl!! no one likes a bully as Brown will find out - they always get scoffered once they come to the attention of decent, honest, British citizens!! lmao!! Now pardon me you southern nancies us tough northern folk have work to do - we lead... you follow!! ROFL!!

Brian L Sewering says...
11:52am Mon 22 Feb 10

Raining here in croy 2 mate
Dont say we are soft scoff only accountants using calculators are soft ha ha ha dont get any rubbish dumped in tarring we r all better class type of ppl here sunshine

The Great Britain says...
1:13pm Mon 22 Feb 10

This nation of ours became "GREAT" because of politicians who cared for their subjects who in turn believed & trusted those in power -- that has now been diminished by the subjects of this nation no longer trusting the politicians , and , objecting to this Nation becoming a third world ghetto while being informed we are a wonderful , caring , nation and we should not object to becoming a more overcrowded nation than ever before..............
..............??????
????

northern scoffer says...
1:18pm Mon 22 Feb 10

Hello T.G.B. how very true... you make a lot of sense my friend - Sewer ? what's wrong with your mobile ?? cut you off ??? rofl!!

Brian L Sewering says...
2:48pm Mon 22 Feb 10

Dont know about cold weather scoff but you might not get back as luton airport is now shut thru snow yar ha har ha apple phone playing up ok now mates

northern scoffer says...
3:17pm Mon 22 Feb 10

Bad weather you say Sewer ? let's hope the grit-boxes have been topped up!! rofl!! you couldn't mail Trafford Council Highways Department - so they can plan a safe route for the Scoffer to get to his hotel later could you ?? rofl!! then mail all the local residents and warn them of the nasty, inclement, weather pending ??? lmao!! now pardon me Ron... Leyroy has taken my Daily Mail and not returned it!! Lol.

northern scoffer says...
6:19pm Mon 22 Feb 10

Evening everyone... well, at long last tom appears to have banned herself... and quite right too!! no more bullying and name calling - some joined-up thinking at long last... time to move on to pastures new... but the Scoffer will keep a beady eye on the resident cowardly custard making sure our elderly are subjected to fair play at all times... i'll mail you the addy Sewer/Ron - but... do not post on this thread as it's being pinged at the mo. Cheerio everyone... ROFL!!

dur ron ron says...
6:41am Tue 23 Feb 10

I have contacted CG myself asking that my post be removed if it has broken any rule of theirs or indeed law. It is certainly not my intention to do so. I merely wished to provide information to those that care that is already very much in the public domain. Lastly I would like to stress that a person's political opinion is not reason for action against them other than to be challenged in an open and honest fashion. Anyone stupid enough to take an action outside of the law or even reason would receive my total condemnation.


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