A big household of travellers who face being booted out of their residence in Gretna say they really feel “utterly let down” by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
George and Jenny Allan, each aged 74, are a part of a nine-strong traveller household who not too long ago misplaced an enchantment in opposition to a council choice to evict them from land they purchased close to Raydale Park Stadium.
Regardless of shedding their enchantment at Scottish Authorities degree almost a month in the past, nobody from Holyrood or the council has been in contact with the Allan household to correctly inform them.
They solely found the shock information that they might be turfed out of their residence from the media – and are struggling anxiousness and sleepless nights over their unsure future.
George mentioned: “I’ve heard nothing from the council. The one factor I’ve heard is individuals I do know ringing me up and saying ‘You’re place has been turned down’.
“I’m dyslexic, I can’t learn or write. I don’t purchase newspapers and have simply heard individuals saying that it’s been turned down. It’s all information to me.
“I’ve not obtained a single letter from Dumfries and Galloway Council, and really feel utterly let down.
“It’s getting on high of us all this. My spouse’s unhealthy along with her nerves over it, she’s not even sleeping.”
George and Jenny, and their daughter Elizabeth and her six kids, arrange residence on an unauthorised web site subsequent to Loanwath Street round two-and-a-half years in the past.
Whereas they purchased the land and two static caravans/chalets costing £60,000 every, the household didn't have planning consent and had been pressured to hunt retrospective planning permission.
This was refused by Dumfries and Galloway Council in September final yr – and the household’s enchantment to the Scottish Authorities has now been rejected.
At earlier planning committees, the matter was mentioned at size by councillors and concern was proven for the welfare of the household and Elizabeth’s six kids. There have been additionally talks of working with different departments to assist the Allans.
Nevertheless, ultimately week’s planning committee, there have been no such talks.
Committee chairman, Councillor Jim Dempster, mentioned: “I’d be grateful if we didn’t have interaction in dialogue about this specific agenda merchandise, it’s for noting solely.
“If anybody has any questions or desires to debate the matter, I'd recommend they converse to Mr Suttie (council planning and improvement supervisor) offline.”
4 native residents residing close by had lodged objections with the council over the Allan household establishing residence within the chalets, complaining that they had been overbearing and precipitated a lack of
privateness.