Gypsy Site In Calne

I wasn't intending re-starting my blog until after the May elections but an issue has arisen that must be aired.

I arrived at work early this morning to be by one of my staff asking if I knew anything about the news heard last night on the BBC regarding the consideration of two locations in Calne for use as a gypsy site. She thought someone was playing a joke on her but after a few phone calls during my dinner-hour from me and to me from concerned residents and businesses all became clear.

First stop was the BBC News web-site and this confirmed that permanent sites are to be set up in North Wiltshire, two possible locations for which are in my home town of Calne.

As the news item referred to North Wiltshire Council (sic) I looked next at the North Wilts District Council web-site. This provided a few more details, particularly the locations, both of which have angered me as they are both a stones throw from my own house in Oxford Road. The first is in Oxford Road on the way out of Calne towards Lyneham and is believed to be in a field opposite the local pub, the Bug and Spider, just off of the mini-roundabout. This site was earmarked several years ago for an out of town supermarket but this proposal didn't get anywhere. The other option is in Abberd Lane which is accessible from Oxford Road or the Abberd estate, which is in the Abberd ward for which I stood for local council elections when active for the BNP. From this report it became known the report was to be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive of the North Wilts District Council tomorrow!

Apparently "The possible sites that have been suggested have all had to be assessed against strict criteria which includes; respect for the existing environment, environmental impact, possible flood risk, good vehicular access, on-site parking and the use of brownfield sites or land that is currently untidy or derelict".

Further information can be seen on the Wiltshire Gazette web-site and the first comment from "hausfrau" makes me even more concerned as it implies that a decision has already been made and the site will appear in Oxford Road. Deep joy - new neighbours!! According to the web-site a full report will appear in tomorrow's edition of the paper and it looks like I will have to buy a copy this week.

My next stop was to send an email to all of the Calne Town councillors, for whom email addresses appear on the Calne Town Council website, to ask for their views and also what they intended to do to object and hopefully prevent this moving forward. At the time of writing this I have had replies from Councillors Marshall, Ramsey, Ireland and Viner who were also concerned about this situation but who apparently had no prior knowledge of this until it hit the BBC news. Hopefully I will update as soon as there is feedback from the meeting.

When I have campaigned in Calne in the past I have made reference to Calne being the poor relation in North Wiltshire and with the police station being closed, the Post Office being closed and relocated to one end of a local newsagent, together with the closure of public toilet facilities and our sports centre, it seems this stance has been justified. Apparently Calne has been referred to as "just a large council estate" by one of those who should know better. Perhaps times are a-changin' as they now wish to give something to Calne - bloody gypsies!

Not content with the problems that Calne-folk are suffering as a result of the incompetent Labour government under Mr Bliar and now seemingly worsening under "the dot", Gay Gordon, where house prices are dropping and the country is in a right mess, we in Calne are looking at a potential drop in house values again as a result of gypsies living around the corner, together with extra expense in having to enhance our security.

This not a party political fight, but a fight for the town of Calne and it's residents, to ensure that Calne does not again suffer at the hands of those who care not a jot about us.

We do not want gypsies in Calne!

Vote Wisely!

I know it's been a while since my last post and for those of you that look here regularly (I monitor visits), I can only apologise for the lack of posting of late.

A lot of things have been happening and I plan to write about these in the very near future so please be patient and all will soon be revealed.

Meanwhile, there are elections in most parts of the country (but unfortunately and most disappointingly not in Swindon, leaving the way open for that UKIP shower, who are standing, to capitalise on the BNP absence) and many will get the opportunity to show their displeasure at the way this country is going down the pan. Vote wisely but DO vote!