Call for inquiry into the number of traveller sites

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission says there is a national shortage of 4,000 traveller caravan pitches.

This is because there are currently 4,000 illegal pitches across the country.

But critics argue how the statistics are calculated is flawed, because they do not take into account that many traveller plots, including those at the legal Dale Farm site, are empty and some travellers own more than one pitch.

David McPherson-Davis, a Ramsden Crays Parish councillor, said: “There needs to be an inquiry into the number of empty lawful pitches, so the real level of need can be calculated.

“The alleged national shortage does not take into account the high number of lawful pitches which appear to be empty, or people with multiple ownerships.”

He said there was evidence some who own legal pitches leave them to occupy illegal plots in a bid to get planning permission to increase the value of the land.

Many of the legal plots at Oak Lane, Crays Hill, stand empty much of the year.

Some Dale Farm families also own legal plots at the Smithy Fen site in Cottenham, near Cambridgeshire.

The latest case to arouse suspicion is that of James and Mary O’Brien, who died in 2005 and 2006, and had two legitimate homes while trying to get permission for a pitch at Dale Farm, claiming they had nowhere else to live.

The Echo discovered last month they had a house in Rathkeale, County Limerick, in the Republic of Ireland.

It has now emerged the couple shared a third address – a legal caravan pitch at Smithy Fen.

Mr and Mrs O’Brien argued at a planning inquiry in 2003 they needed the Dale Farm plot to access to medical care due to ailing health.

The address of their Limerick house was carved into the tombstone of their grave in Rathkeale, where they are buried.

The third address was revealed by probate records.

John Dornan, a Tory Basildon councillor, backed Mr McPherson-Davis’ call for the inquiry.