Coldharbour Gypsy and Traveller site near Allington

by Andy Gray
agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

Travellers have slammed plans for a £1 million redevelopment designed to improve their quality of life.

Kent County Council revealed the money is to be spent on a revamp of the Coldharbour Lane site off the A20 between Allington and Aylesford.

The government-funded scheme will increase the number of pitches from eight to 26 and provide better security for its existing residents.

It could mean an influx of more than 100 travellers to the site which, if it gets the go-ahead, will be ready by the end of next year.

But a spokesman for the eight families living there, who are all related, pleaded for the cash to go elsewhere.

The 23-year-old man, who did not want to be named, said: “We’re dead against this development.

“Moving loads of new families here could cause a lot of tension.

“We get on with the locals and have never had any trouble with them. It’s going to upset them as well as us. Why can’t they give the money to a better cause and leave us alone?”

Following consultations with police and the surrounding community, planning permission to upgrade the KCC-owned site was originally granted in 2007.

"we want to keep ourselves to ourselves...” – a traveller

This included upgrading washing facilities and a safe space for children to play, as well as screening to reduce noise from the road.

However, the economic downturn meant funds only became available in March this year.

A revised planning application for the additional pitches will be submitted later this month, with a public consultation due to take place in August and September.

If given the green light, work could start in April 2012.

The site, situated behind Coldharbour Police Station, is currently accessible via a mud track.

The travellers’ spokesman, who has lived there more than 20 years, said: “We could do with a better road and the toilet sheds need looking at – they’re not fit for animals at the moment.

“But other than that we want to keep ourselves to ourselves.

“We’ll see what the council says before deciding what steps to take.”

KCC also announced it is to seek extra funding for a further eight pitches to meet future needs.