Council bosses are refusing to rule out any sites in Brighton and Hove which could become a permanent travellers’ camp.
The announcement came after Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, called on Brighton and Hove City Council to explicitly rule out Black Rock as a possible location for a permanent or tolerated travellers’ site.
He said: “I have been consistent in calling for the council to explicitly rule out inappropriate sites, such as Happy Valley, Black Rock and East Brighton Park.
“With the collapse of the plans for a coach park at Black Rock, constituents are now contacting me concerned that this site is likely to be considered as a possible location, and I am, therefore, again calling on the council to provide some clarity and reassurance for concerned residents.”
Several unauthorised travellers’ encampments have sprung up across Brighton and Hove this year.
Yesterday (November 1), travellers were evicted from Carden Park, in Hollingbury, Brighton, and the council and Sussex Police have also visited an unauthorised site in Sheepcote Valley, which it says it will continue to monitor.
The Sheepcote Valley site was identified as the council’s preferred location in August 2008 but has since been ruled out.
The council has started the first stage of its consultation to develop a new traveller strategy.
View it at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk.
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