New search for travellers’ camp site

Back in January this year, funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) was announced for a new gipsy and travellers’ site in the South Yorkshire town.

Since then Barnsley Council officers has been making a detailed site investigation of one possible site, at Sandygate Lane in Stairfoot.

Yesterday, a council spokesman said: “The investigation has revealed that the ground conditions on the former colliery and chemical works site are likely to require significant remedial work to deal with contaminants in the ground.

“The potential cost of the work means that this site is unlikely to offer the best value for the government grant investment, so the council has decided not to pursue this option further.

“The HCA funding for a new site in the borough is secure and the council intends to continue and broaden its search for an appropriate location to meet the identified need.”

Barnsley Council had planned to create a 10-pitch camp on the Stairfoot site, with £800,000 of funding allocated by the HCA.

The authority hoped that the move would reduce the number of unauthorised camps