Middlesbrough Council has scrapped plans for a traveller site at Teessaurus Park after community backlash and recommended alternative sites.
Middlesbrough: So, the council has decided to ditch the idea of putting a traveller site at Teessaurus Park. This comes after a lot of pushback from locals. The proposal was first brought up last year, but it really stirred up some strong feelings.
When the plans were announced, folks were not happy. They worried about how it would affect the park, which is home to those cool dinosaur sculptures that kids love. A resident even started a petition that got over 7,000 signatures. That’s a lot of people voicing their concerns!
The park has been around since 1979 and is a popular spot for families. It’s not just about the dinosaurs; there’s also a nice wildlife area and a walking route. The council had to think about how to keep public access to these attractions while figuring out where to put the traveller site.
After hearing all the feedback, the council brought in some consultants to look for better options. They concluded that Teessaurus Park wasn’t the right fit after all. Now, they’re looking at other locations that might work better.
Councillor Theo Furness mentioned that there was a lot of strong feeling about this issue. He’s glad they found an alternative that meets the needs of the gypsy and travelling community, which is something they’re legally required to do.
Details about the changes to the draft Local Plan will be shared soon, so everyone can see what’s next. It’s good to know the council is listening to the community and trying to find a solution that works for everyone.
