Travellers are unfairly jumping the housing lists (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Travellers are unfairly jumping the housing lists

4:29pm Wednesday 5th November 2008 in Epping Forest

FOLLOWING the furore regarding the Gypsy and Traveller Consultation announcement last week, I am amazed at the council’s adherence to EU dictates on such.

Our council has strict rules regarding housing allocations and these travellers are merely passing through with no actual links to this area. Why then should they be able to jump the housing lists in this area?

There are many of our people who have been waiting for housing, and their rights are being trampled upon.

If sites are suitable for living on then Epping Forest District Council could place locals on these sites in caravans or buses and collect local taxes and rent into the bargain.

I would query what determines a traveller? If I buy a caravan and change my name will I be allowed to park up indefinitely without being accountable to the local council?

Tom Richardson, Loughton.