Whether we agree with this or not, the Scottish Government requires the Moray Council - if there is a proven need - to provide accommodation for the travelling/Gypsy community.  The Moray Council has said the fact that there are unauthorised travellers' sites in Moray proves this need.

After - apparently - 6 years of investigation by Council staff, a list of 60 possible halting sites in Moray was drawn up.  This list was subsequently reduced to 3 sites considered most suitable - one of these was withdrawn by the Council after discussion with the landowner. The Moray Council finally agreed to hold public consultation on the two remaining proposed sites in Arradoul, Buckie and Kingsmeadow, Forres.  It's good to be consulted on what we think of the Council's proposals - but how much more sensible and productive it would have been to seek suggestions from the public on possible sites at the start of the investigations.

The irony now is that this public consultation has identified the Council's proposed site at Kingsmeadow (near Waterford), Forres does not appear to meet the Council's own selection criteria!  Safety issues relate to the site access which is from a bend on a single track road plus the close proximity of an electricity sub station, the Mosset Burn and the Aberdeen - Inverness railway line.  In addition, not only is the proposed site close to a popular and successful tourist attraction but it would mean changing the use of agricultural land - land which is part of the Forres Common Good.

Surely there are other more suitable locations in Forres if a travellers' halting site has to be set up in this area - where do you think could be considered in Forres as a suitable travellers'/Gypsy halting site? Email me janet@janetkennedy.org.uk