Valley Road, a reduced Travellers site application and the Thought Police

Morley residents at the recent public meeting

The planning application for a Travellers site at Valley Road in Morley reached a new phase with a reduced application for a 35 pitch site replacing the previous one. This application is still unacceptable but because it is an amended application it has to go through the consultation process yet again. However all the 1500+ objections received last time (a local record in terms of objections!) will be carried over on to the new application which means people do not need to object again if they oppose this development.

The application remains unacceptable at this location because its size and the serious contamination at the site. It is also the case that Morley is again being asked to accommodate additional Travellers pitches while other areas across Leeds choose not to do so because of the concerns they have about Travellers sites in their communities. A decision was due to be made this month but is likely to run into next month because of this administrative device adopted by the Applicant to try and slow down the planning process. Two Stop Notices have been served on the Traveller Applicant and a court order has also been obtained to prevent any further demolition or earth works at the site.

And this brings me on to the Thought Police - also know as GATE or Gypsy and Traveller Exchange - a pressure group for Travellers that acts as apologists for their often poor behaviour especially on unauthorised encampments. GATE - who get taxpayers money form Leeds City Council, the NHS and West Yorkshire Police - are using the same cash paid by hard working tax payers to try and silence those who do not buy into their rosy view of the Traveller issue. GATE complained about my comments on this application to the Standards Board on Leeds City Council - who - after full consideration of their claim - confirmed it was bogus. But underneath is a sinister element where GATE try to use such bogus claims to suppress anyone who dares to stand up against the poor behaviour of many Travellers especially those on unauthorised sites. It is reminiscent of George Orwell's Thought Police portrayed in his book 1984. In the book the Thought Police attempt to use and manipulate language to try and prevent future opposition. This is clearly what GATE - with their bogus complaint - is attempting to do.

We will watch to see if a further complaint comes in from GATE. However a more important point is that we continue to work together to get a planning refusal of this inappropriate development on Valley Road.