Memorandum by D A Remblance (TF 20)
I write with reference to the Press Notice concerning
Travelling Fairs and the Committee's wish to examine a number
of issues which are of great concern to Travelling Showpeople
of Buckles Lane, Thurrock.
I write as a showperson and as a landowner seeking
planning approval for winter accommodation for Travelling Showpeople.
Thurrock, like many other local authorities,
have failed to make adequate provision for the growing families
of Travelling Showpeople. Whilst sites continue to be identified
for housing sites, no new sites are being provided for Showpeople.
Following this letter is a list of nearly 50 Local Authorities
who were unable to provide suitable alternative sites for Thurrock
Showpeople.
I now address in turn the issues described in
the press notice.
1. The Continued Value of Historic Travelling
Fairs
The value of historic travelling fairs is evident
in the continued popularity of fairs attended the length and breadth
of the country by the people of the UK. The celebrations along
the Mall provided for by the rides and stalls of Travelling Showpeople
at the New Year celebrations typified the year round enjoyment
found at fairs such as Finsbury Park, Oxford, Pickett Lock, Kings
Lynn, etc, to name but a few.
Travelling Fairs provide a service to the public
that we all enjoy on the back of a tradition upheld by the Travelling
Showpeople Community, whose services the country should be proud
of and nurture rather than neglect.
2. The Provision of Sites for Travelling
Fairs
The greatest problem facing Travelling Showpeople
generally has been the loss of traditional winter quarters. This
has become a major concern to the Showpeople's Community. Showpeople
need permanent bases where they can spend the winter months, within
reach of schools and other community facilities but large enough
to carry out the vital maintenance work on equipment which is
required by the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain as a self-regulating
body and by law via the Health and Safety legislation. Unfortunately,
many old established winter and permanent quarters have been lost
in recent years to redevelopment schemes. These losses have not
been replaced. Consequently, the remaining sites have become overcrowded.
Basic recommended space standards and separation distances cannot
be met. Extensive searches and correspondence with local authorities
have been undertaken to locate suitable alternative sites; these
attempts have proven fruitless.
3. The Particular Needs of Travelling Showpeople
in Carrying out their Trade
The Travelling Showpeople's way of life is unique,
travelling from fair to fair predominantly through the summer
months, then returning to their traditional base during the winter
months to service their equipment and prepare for the next season.
For the Showpeople, their business is their life with pitches
at fairs handed down from generation to generation. The family
unit is important with all of the family involved from an early
age in the running of the business. It is the tradition of Showpeople
that parents and elderly relations remain within their family
groups and are cared for by and within them. It is also the tradition
that parents and elderly relatives within family groups stay on
site all year round in order that children can attend local schools
regularly and benefit from full time education, whilst their parents
are travelling to earn a living. The lack of availability of suitable
sites is causing great personal hardships to many families of
Travelling Showpeople.
4. The Effectiveness of Existing Planning
Guidance on the Provision of Quarters for Travelling Showpeople
The guidance contained in Circular 22/91 Travelling
Showpeople is now out of date and ineffective. Whilst it acknowledges
the Special Needs of Showpeople it is no longer of assistance
to local authorities in meeting these needs and in particular
it does not enable local authorities to identify suitable sites.
The guidance makes no provision to overcome restrictions on development
in protected areas such as the Green Belt. It therefore is ineffective
in helping Showpeople to help themselves which is stated as the
central aim of the Guidance.
5. Whether any Action is Necessary to Ensure
that Appropriate Regard is had to the needs of Travelling Showpeople
Within the Planning System
New Guidance should be provided that states
what constitutes "very special circumstances" in the
Green Belt for Travelling Showpeople. Where there is an absence
of alternative sites within the local area and clear evidence
of need for a site because of overcrowding and hardship, this
should be accepted as constituting very special circumstances
in the Green Belt.
I trust the above is of assistance to the work
of the Environmental Sub-committee and formally request that I
be kept informed of all outcomes of the ongoing enquiry and would
welcome any opportunity to be further involved.
D A Remblance
List of Local Authorities unable to provide
suitable alternative sites for Thurrock Showpeople
East Sussex County Council, Hertfordshire County
Council, Kent County Council, Bexley Borough Council, Brent Borough
Council, Bromley Borough Council, Camden Borough Council, Corporation
of London Borough Council, Croydon Borough Council, Havering Borough
Council, Hounslow Borough Council, Islington Borough Council,
Lambeth Borough Council, Lewisham Borough Council, Merton Borough
Council, Newham Borough Council, Redbridge Borough Council, Richmond
upon Thames Borough Council, Sutton Borough Council, Tower Hamlets
Borough Council, Waltham Forest Borough Council, Barnsley Borough
Council, Broxbourne District Council, Cambridge City District
Council, Caradon District Council, Chelmsford District Council,
Colchester District Council, Crawley Disctrict Council, Epping
Forest District Council, Great Yarmouth District Council, Harlow
District Council, Maldon District Council, Rochford District Council,
South Cambridgeshire District Council, Surrey Heath District Council,
Swale District Council, Tandridge District Council, Watford District
Council, Worthing District Council, Milton Keynes Council, Peterborough
City Council, Slough Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council,
European Showmen's Union, Luxembourg, Die Vergnugungsbetriebe,
Germany, Nationale Bond Van Kermisbedrijfhouders, Luxembourg,
Assn Nazionale Esercenti Spettacoli Viaggianti, Italy.
February 2000
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