10:56am Friday 2nd May 2008
By Scott McPherson
MORE than 160 residents gathered for a public meeting held in Chippenham last night to discuss the proposed gypsy sites in the area.
Residents from Longs Close, Hardens Mead and Stanley Lane, all of which have been earmarked for a permanent gypsy and traveller site, gathered together to form an action group against the decision.
North Wiltshire MP James Gray attended the meeting to lend his support and district councillors Christine Crisp and Alison Bucknell were on hand to answer any questions.
Action group organiser Helen Thomas, who lives alongside Stanley Lane, said: "There are still far too many questions that have been left unanswered and we are determined to get to the bottom of them.
"North Wiltshire District Council has essentially told us that they have an obligation to the government to set up this site, but surely they have an obligation to the community.
"We still feel like we are not being listened to and something needs to be done.
"Our main fear is that the public consultation period won't be done accurately - after the council's previous attempt to sweep this under the carpet, we have grave concerns."
The district council decided to scrap its original report in favour of a six week public consultation period after a huge public outcry.
The public consultation period will begin on May 9.
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