Summergangs Lane

TravellersOver Time

11th Century

12th Century 16th Century

18th Century

19th Century

20th Century

A group of tribes people flee from Northern India and travel through the Middle East to Europe.

21st Century

2

Princess Anne officially opened the site on 24th September 1984 in her capacity as President of Save the Children. She visited the pre-school playgroup at South County Infants School run by Save the Children, whose unique project worked with children from Summergangs Lane in the school environment in order to integrate them into the wider community and help to improve their life chances.

Following this visit, the Princess toured the new £234,000 Gyspy site at Summergangs Lane which had unofficially opened in November 1983 and met some of the children’s parents from the pre-school.

Official Opening Of SummergangS lane

SummergangS LanePlanning consent applied for and obtained in 1982 for a 20 pitch permanent Gypsy site.

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) opened the site in November 1983 with the provision of 20 pitches. Management of the site was originally carried out by West Lindsey District Council on a self-financing basis.

1999 - the site management was handed back to the County Council who contract their business partner Hyder Business Services Ltd (now known as Mouchel Business Services) to manage the site.

2000 - joint funding of £65,000 was acquired from the District Council and County Council to resurface Summergangs Lane and to provide street lighting. Whilst Summergangs Lane provides access to several businesses it is also the only access road on to the site.

2002 - a 75% Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant totalling £128,080 awarded. Works carried out included:

Replace soft ground areas on pitches and work areas with suitable paving and concrete.•Provide and erect gates and fencing to pitch boundaries.•Upgrade security to amenity block entrance doors, new flooring, decoration and •stainless steel sinks.Improve street lighting.•Construct site manager’s office.•Improve traffic calming measures.•

2002 - the former site manager’s office was converted into a community building for residents. The Gainsborough Traveller Initiative (GTI) obtained funding through the National Lottery to refurbish the building with LCC agreeing to lease the building to them on a ‘peppercorn’ rent. The main use of the building has been for an on-site parent and toddler group run by GTI. This arrangement continues today.

2009 - LCC spent £29,000 from its Capital Programme Budget on upgrading the electrical installations in all existing amenity blocks to ensure that each block conformed to current IEE Regulations.

- History of Travellers

There has been a long history of Gypsies in Lincolnshire going back many hundreds of years. Being a county with a long history of agricultural food production, many families travelled through the area and played an important part in rural communities. They helped to harvest crops that were transported to feed populations in towns. There were traditional horse fairs held and places where the community gathered either for horse dealing or for catching up with old friends and family. During the First and Second World Wars many Gypsies joined the army and fought to defend their country.

Being a county of flat lands and wide skies, historically there were plenty of places for families to camp. However the Caravan Sites (Control of Development) Act (1960) caused the

closure of many stopping places used by Gypsies and Travellers. By 1968 the Caravan Sites Act required local authorities to provide sites for Gypsies in England. This Act required that, ‘…ensure adequate accommodation for all those residing in or resorting to their areas’ and that district councils should design, build and manage sites. It wasn’t until 1977 however in the Cripps Report: Accommodation for Gypsies, that obstacles for these new sites were identified, 5 of which are still pertinent today.

The importance of public opinion.1. Gypsy habits – anti-social behaviour of a minority influencing 2. negative perceptions of the majority.Vandalism – of some sites has made councils less willing to 3. refurbish them or continue to provide them.

Travellers in lincOlnShire

Travellers arrive in Ireland.

Lottery to refurbish the building with LCC agreeing to lease the building to them on a ‘peppercorn’ rent. The main use of the building has been for an on-site parent and toddler group run by GTI. This

Gypsies arrive in England and Scotland.•These exotic looking entertainers and carriers of •news are mistakenly labelled ‘Egyptions’ - hence the name “Gypsies”. King Henry VIII begins persecution of Gypsies. •King Edward VI decides that all Gypsies should •become slaves.Queen Mary I made it a crime to enter England as •a Gypsy.Queen Elizabeth I forces Gypsies to give up their •way of life or face death.Gypsies arrive in Wales.•

English laws against Gypsies are repealed.

Rides and tents used in circuses •Wooden horse drawn covered wagons used by •Gypsies in England.The Showmen’s Guild is established, making them •a unique group of Travellers.

Roma Gypsies arrive in England.•British Government helps Gypsies by building •caravan sites for Gypsies working in the army and as farm labourers. Once the Second World War was over, the British Government stopped this practise.Together with the Jewish Community, Gypsies were •persecuted during the Holocaust.Gypsies start to use motor drawn trailers.•British Government enacts the Caravan Sites Act •-1968, requiring councils to provide caravan sites for Gypsies and Travellers. In 1994 the Act was abolished, leaving 5,000 families without a legal home.

Gypsies and Travellers of Irish Heritage are recognised as ethnic groups under the Race Relations Act.

The idea that site provision is a national responsibility leading 4. some local authorities to disregard directing resources to them.Perception that Gypsy and Traveller needs are diverse and 5. difficult to quantify, compounded by their transitory and nomadic lifestyle (Richardson, 2007).

By 1994, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act repealed many of the duties of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, one of which was to take away the duty on local authorities to provide sites and in so doing, giving them and the police powers to evict unauthorised encampments. At this same time, Gypsies and Travellers were ‘encouraged’ to buy land themselves and apply to legitimise their own site through the planning system which seems to be an equitable approach. In reality however, over 90% of applications are refused (Liberty, 2008).

By 2004 the Housing Act required local authorities to assess the needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities and to include how this need will be met in local development plans. The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTAAs) was completed by the end of 2007 but the caveat to this was that there is no stipulation on local authorities to provide for the identified needs. The consequence to this was that there are currently 4,000 families nationwide with nowhere to go. Locally, West Lindsey District Council identified a deficit of 26 pitches.

3 History of Summergangs Lane -

Courtesy of The Lincolnshire Echo

Remove existing earthextend play area

play surfacing, installplay equipment and

retaining wall as required

NEW PITCH with with

Wardensseperate

room

Resurface road way and fortifytraffic calming measures (raised

speed speed calming tables)

and install newsystem (details

TBC)

Electric &

infrastructure

Provide new concrete slabs to allnew amentiy block locations

Demolish and and make good allexisting utilities utilities blocks

New 1200mm1200mmwide footpathfootpath

new lowgrass

locations to besite.

FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM

(inc. services services services services services

Caravan S i teRemove Remove

mound, mound, with with play new new play retaining retaining

NEW 4ft CONCRETE PANELPITCH BOUNDARY BOUNDARY BOUNDARY BOUNDARY FENCINGwith vehicel vehicel and pedestrianpedestrianpedestrianpedestrianpedestrianpedestrianpedestrianpedestrian

gated gated access

WARDENSOFFICE ELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRICELECTRIC

METERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERSMETERS

COMMUNITYBUILDING

Modify Modify existing existing WardensBlock Block to provide provide seperate

electrical electrical meters meters room

Provide and and CCTV system system

TBC)TBC)

New New Electric Water

infrastructureinfrastructure

New New 1200mmwide wide footpath

Extend existing foul drainage toeach new unit as required

6no. 6no. new trees, 20no. new level shrubs, shrubs, new grassseeding, seeding, locations

confirmed confirmed on site.

FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM FORM ADDITIONALPITCH

(inc. all necessaryservices services services services services services services services services services services services services services provision)entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire pitch to be

conrete slab

4 - Refurbishment plans for Summergangs Lane

Mill House • Brayford Wharf North • Lincoln • LN1 1YTTel: 01522 836836 • Fax: 01522 516050www.hbs.uk.com

All Dimensions and Levels to be verified on site.Only Figured Dimensions to be used.Do not scale this drawing.Any discrepancies to be notified to the originatorof this drawing immediately.If in doubt, ask.Copyright is reserved by them and the drawing isissued on the condition that it is not copied,reproduced, retained, or disclosed to anyunauthorised person, either wholly or in partwithout consent.

Project

Client

Project No. Drawing No.

Checked ByDrawn By

Date

Revision

Scale

Drawing Title

Drawing Status

LCC

#Pln F.03

Modular Unit Layout & Elevations

Gainsborough Travellers SiteUtilities Modules v2.1

Rev. Date Description By Chk'd

JMT EL

4 .1m

HUMBLE CARR LANE (T rack )Humble Carr Drain

Allotment

Gardens

Drain

BM4.59m

SP

Tanks

Depot

Garage

F O X B Y H I L L1 0 . 3 m

4 .5m

183

20833

WILLOUGHBYCHASE

Drain

4 .0m

HUMBLE CARR LANE

Track

10

16

Allotment GardensDrain

Sandhall

Track

Lea Road

Station

L E A R O A D

6 .9m

Garage

SP

PC

S U M M E R G A N G S L A N E

Drain

Humble Carr Drain

SP

MP .25

B M 5 . 1 2 m

Drain

L E A R O A DW E S T

Caravan Site

(Track)

W I L L O U G H B Y C H A S E

13.4m

167a

SB

TCB

2

6

136

L E A R O A D W E S T

Drain

18

20

200

Drain

Caravan S i te

Remove existing earthmound, extend pitches

and hardstanding to suit

Remove existing earthmound, extend play area

with play surfacing, installnew play equipment andretaining wall as required

Provide new 6ft Euroguardheavy duty flat-toppedsecurity mesh fencing

around entire perimeter,with additional planting

where appropriate

NEW 4ft CONCRETE PANELPITCH BOUNDARY FENCINGwith vehicel and pedestrian

gated access

WARDENSOFFICE ELECTRIC

METERS

WC

APPROXIMATE LOCATIONEXISTING WATER METER

COMMUNITYBUILDING

Modify existing WardensBlock to provide seperate

electrical meters room

Resurface road way and fortifytraffic calming measures (raised

speed calming tables)

Provide and install newCCTV system (details

TBC)

Provide new Euroguard heavyduty mesh fencing to

perimeter of pump chamberlocation and gated access

New Electric &Water

infrastructure

Provide new concrete slabs to allnew amentiy block locations

New 1200mmwide footpath

Extend existing foul drainage toeach new unit as required

Demolish and make good allexisting utilities blocks

New 1200mmwide footpath

6no. new trees, 20no. new lowlevel shrubs, new grassseeding, locations to be

confirmed on site.

FORM ADDITIONALPITCH

(inc. all necessaryservices provision)entire pitch to be

conrete slab

9,530

3,49

0

S-01 S-01S-02

S-02 S-03 S-03

S-04

S-04

DRYERSPACE

COOKERSPACE

BATHROOM4 m2

BREAKFAST KITCHEN14.3 m2

LOBBY3.8 m2

GROSS INTERNAL FLOOR AREA27 m2

SERVICES1.2 m2

WASHERSPACE

WC2.2 m2

F/FSPACE

9,530

3,49

0

DRYERSPACE

COOKERSPACE

BREAKFAST KITCHEN14.3 m2

LOBBY3.8 m2

GROSS INTERNAL FLOOR AREA27 m2

SERVICES1.2 m2

WASHERSPACE

F/FSPACE

BATHROOM &WC

6.6 m2

-300-1 Story

±00 Ground Floor

+3,1001 Story

-300-1 Story

±00 Ground Floor

+3,1001 Story

OS Map 1:2000

Location & Site Plan 1:500

Standard Floor Plan 1:50 DDA Floor Plan 1:50

Opt 2 interior 3D External 3DOpt 2 3D plan

S-01 Building Section 1:50 S-02 Building Section 1:50

S-03 Building Section 1:50 S-04 Building Section 1:50

1:50, 1:200 @ A1 5.1.08

B

A 26.2.09 Revised floor plans basedon resident feedback,additional site info added

JMT EL

NB: Provision to be made for framing out of floor joists in appropriate location to fascilitate and providelevel threshold shower and gulley. Change in floor joist level to be infilled in standard unit until levelthreshold is required

B 28.5.09 Further refinements toscheme requirements

JMT EL

Approximate temporaryhardstanding area for

decant accommodation,washing and toilet

facilities

FUNDING BID

The FutureThe previous Labour government incentivised local authorities to reduce the deficit of pitches in the public sector by making monies available through the Homes and Communities Agency to build new sites and refurbish existing ones. The options were:

To refurbish an existing site – 50% grant 1. matched with a 50% stake from the County Council.

To refurbish an existing site and add at least 2. one more pitch – 75% grant for the existing site and a 100% grant towards the cost of providing an additional pitch.

The Origins

As the existing site is on a flood risk zone ‘3’ it would not be permitted for building on now. The Environment Agency blocked the prospect of putting more trailers onto the site but with some clever thinking, an additional pitch was proposed to give greater flexibility to the families on the site by having just one trailer each on 2 pitches rather than the usual 2 trailers per pitch, making a maximum of 40 caravans on the site. This then formed the basis for the bid by Lincolnshire County Council in 2008.

The Council finally received a £1.25 million grant towards the total refurbishment cost for the site of £1.65 million in October 2010 and work commenced on 4th January 2011.

Each pitch has new amenity blocks with kitchen and bathroom facilities; several pitches have been extended in size and the electricity supply upgraded around the site along with new security cameras and fencing bordering the site itself.

‘Oxgang’ referred to a plot of land held by someone who contributed an ox to a

plough team (from Ian Beckwith’s ‘Book of Gainsborough’). Summergangs refers to

plots of land which were kept for summer pasture – good rich green grass by the River

Trent for cattle.

Before the official site came into being it was known as ‘The Stones’ or ‘The Bricks’ (see image below). It is believed it was a piece of land owned by the council that was a traditional Gypsy and Traveller stopping in place.

Courtesy of Mouchel Business Services