Unpopular plans to find four temporary halting sites for travellers in Aberdeen were dropped by city councillors yesterday.
Members of the policy and strategy committee unanimously agreed to abandon the search for the sites in favour of an expansion of the council’s existing authorised campsite at Clinterty, near Blackburn.
The Press and Journal revealed last month that the authority’s political leaders were ready to ditch the policy after listening to the views of the Aberdeen public.
Fierce community opposition and planning obstacles meant it could take three years to get the four sites in place, leading councillors to view the expansion of Clinterty as a more practical option.
Jennifer Third, strategic co-ordinator with the Gypsy Traveller Education Infor- mation Project, spoke to the committee, urging members to continue with plans for two sites in north Aberdeen, and two in the south.
“To me, democracy means the same or equal treatment for all – not the person with the loudest voice having the rights,” she said.
Kingswells and Sheddocksley councillor Wendy Stuart claimed last year she had received a death threat and intimidation amid community anger at plans to use Kingswells park-and-ride for one of the sites.
Yesterday’s U-turn received cross-party support from councillors across the city.
Council leader Kate Dean said: “We have to look at this situation and the practicalities of it.
“We are going to be three years before we’re going to get halting sites in the city.
“What we have to look at now is other ways of providing sites for travellers that suits their needs and the needs of the settled community.”
The creation of temporary halting sites was first proposed three years ago following expensive clean-up operations after travellers left illegal campsites.
Council officials will now talk to their counterparts in Aberdeenshire on the best ways to manage illegal encampments, and travellers will be consulted on the new plans for Clinterty.
Depute council leader Kevin Stewart said: “I don’t think that this is the ideal solution – but I think it is a solution.”
Opposition Conservative group secretary Alan Donnelly said: “I’m quite pleased with this report and I welcome it – it’s a practical solution.”