Cash for gipsy site upgrade

Posted on February 7, 2007

A site for gipsies and travellers in Eaton Bray has been given a massive cash injection in a bid to clamp down on unauthorised camping.

More than £50,000 will be spent on improvements to the Chiltern View site in Northall Road to bring it up to scratch.

It's all part of a huge government spending spree, which has seen more than £20 million allocated to sites around the UK over the past 12 months.

Beds County Council, which is responsible for running and maintaining the site, has said the money will be spent on improving the Eaton Bray site.

A council spokesman said: "We welcome this funding announcement from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

"The money will be invested to improve Chiltern View for its residents and will include upgrading lighting facilities, replacing hot water cylinders and provide better drainage measures on the site."

Explaining the decision to award the grant, the government communities minister, Meg Munn, said: "By improving the provision of authorised sites, we can tackle the problem of unauthorised camping and ensure everyone has a decent place to live.

"The grant is vital in our drive to increase the number of authorised sites for gipsies and travellers. Providing more authorised sites reduces the cost to taxpayers of costly enforcement action and creates a sustainable solution for the whole community."

Source: Dunstable Gazette, 7 February 2007