Search for alternative traveller site in area

A PROJECT board has been set up to look at alternative locations for the Thistle Grove travellers’ site in Collin.

In December, councillors paused plans to do remedial works at Collin, above, and officials were instructed to exploring various potential new spots for development.

This work must also take into consideration resident feedback.

An update report will be presented at next week’s tackling poverty, inequalities and housing sub committee.

It states: “A project board has been put in place to oversee the work required to provide a site that meets the national minimum standards.

“The focus of the board has now shifted to ensuring a robust process is developed and followed to identify potential alternative site options.

“Additional council officers have been brought into this work.”

The interim site design guide provides advice on identifying suitable sites and recommends the following matters are taken into account: planning policy requirements, avoiding unsuitable locations, ensuring good access and connectivity, supporting cultural needs of gypsy/traveller communities, size and scalability of the site, layout and safety considerations, potential for good community relations, and environmental criteria.

The council report states: “A framework is being developed to present a structured, evidence base for identifying, shortlisting, and assessing suitable sites.

“In parallel, the identification of a longlist of potential sites is being developed for assessment against this framework.

“Within the allocated budget, there remains support for further investigation to be carried out on the shortlisted sites.”

Thistle Grove at Collin was originally supposed to be completely rebuilt at its current location to upgrade living conditions and meet government requirements, at a cost of nearly £14 million.

Temporary accommodation was also going to be needed for the site residents for potentially two years during construction works.

In 2018, the Scottish Government published a report which slammed Dumfries and Galloway Council for serious issues of subsidence, structural problems, and dampness in the homes at Collin.

However, the council paused the project after estimated costs reached £1.6m per caravan pitch.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) is keeping tabs on the situation and held a meeting last November with council officers to seek assurances on the progress towards meeting minimum site standards.