The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Traveller families have completed their move off an unauthorised site at Gosberton Clough – 12 years after the first of them arrived.
They have moved to a new Spalding site developed by South Holland District Council as a replacement. The council will take ownership of the empty site in Broad Drove.
The new site at Drain Bank North, which has ten pitches each able to accommodate three mobile homes or caravans, has been established alongside another previously unauthorised encampment.
A statement issued by the council on Thursday said: “Yesterday we relocated the traveller families occupying the unauthorised site at Broad Drove, Gosberton, to their new permanent site at Drain Bank North, Spalding.
“No families remain resident at Broad Drove.
“We have made arrangements for the travellers to collect any remaining possessions over the next ten days. We will be monitoring access to the Broad Drove site throughout to ensure a smooth process.
“Once the move is finalised, the Broad Drove site will be permanently secured. As the Broad Drove site has now transferred to the council’s ownership we would take direct action against any further unauthorised access immediately.
“This move brings to a successful conclusion our ambitions to protect the long-term quality of life of our residents whilst meeting our needs to provide suitable homes for all.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to all those involved for working together on what has been a long and difficult process.”
Traveller families in Holbeach moved to a new £1million site in 2011. The council developed Rose View Drive, off the A151, as a replacement for an unauthorised encampment which was established at nearby Cranmore Lane.
