On Saturday 23rd September, Sarah Dines MP met Rowsley residents, Parish Councillors and business owners to discuss the plans by the Liberal Democrat led Council to put the land at Old Station Close in Rowsley, back on the list as a potential temporary Traveller site.
Sarah Dines MP said, ‘Last year, the Conservatives took this unsuitable site off the agenda, because it would fail to meet the needs of the Traveller families, residents and business owners of Rowsley. This move provided clarity for everyone involved and it seems nonsensical that the Liberal Democrat Council are now voting this Thursday to put this site back on the table and for consultation. Put simply, this site is not a suitable location for a Traveller site, for Travellers nor the residents and businesses nearby. For residents who have wanted their say before this vote, they have been given a week to do so, with all submissions needing to be received before the meeting on the 28th September. I met with residents, Parish Councillors and business owners on Saturday and like me they cannot understand why the Council have put this unsuitable site back on the agenda. I sincerely hope the District Councillors do not pursue this wholly unsuitable location.’
