Inspite of the Criminal Justice Act took away the responsibilities of local council’s to provde land for travelling gypsies, the community at Dale Farm bought their land and have become integrated within the commnity since 1970’s, but now they face eviction. What is the issue – bureacracy; planning permission was denied for half the site as it is situated on a greenbelt area. Whilst I don’t condone people building what they want where they want you have to wonder that if the land wasn’t owned by gypsies but by a rich property developer, that happens to be friends with Osborne, Cameron et al, that the greenfield may be turned into brownfield and the developer would be classed a saviour, creating jobs etc. Get the picture? How many planning permissions have slipped through a council because of red tape, loop holes or fancy solicitors.
Yes building on greenbelt area wasn’t the greatest move but evicting families has far more reaching consequences; schooling for children, rehousing. Gypsies suffer a lot of discrimination within society but the term racism never seems to be applied when talking about them or their culture. According to the Commission for Racial Equality, more than 90% of traveller planning applications are initially rejected compared to 20% overall; no wonder the planning application was ignored.
Good Luck to the Sheriden Clan, who own the land to which the eviction order which has been scheduled to take place at midnight tonight.
Jason E Cooper 