The medium-term future of coach parking in Matlock Bath is still uncertain after Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) opened a consultation on proposals that could see it used as a formal temporary traveller site while a full-time location for the family concerned is found.
Coach bays at the Station Yard car park have been out of use for some time while occupied by the traveller family under what DDDC previously described as “a tolerated site” approach.
That has seen at least one coach operator issued with a penalty charge notice for parking close to, but not within, the out-of-use coach bays. Matlock Bath Parish Council (MBPC) has been critical of the decision by DDDC to allow the traveller family to remain there, noting that the loss of coach parking has had “an adverse effect on businesses and trade.”
The DDDC consultation opened in late July and runs to 22 September. Matlock Bath coach park is one of six possible temporary traveller sites have been identified by a cross-party Gypsy and Traveller Working Group.
Depending on how many of those gain approval following the consultation, it is anticipated that they will “share responsibility for limited periods of accommodating a traveller family who have been encamped in a section of Matlock Bath station [coach] park for the past three years.”
As a housing authority, DDDC is bound to provide accommodation for specific gypsy and traveller families with an accepted connection to the Derbyshire Dales. The local authority accepts that the failure to find a permanent site “has gone unresolved for far too long” although it says that “extensive efforts” have been made.
“Consultants are currently investigating potential [permanent] sites across the Derbyshire Dales and an interim report was presented to a special meeting of the District Council’s Community and Environment Committee on 22 July,” DDDC adds.
Consultancy ARK has identified 20 possible permanent sites. Its report does not give precise location details, but none are listed as being within Matlock Bath, suggesting that the coach park there should eventually return to its intended purpose.
DDDC acknowledges that complaints have been made about the two “tolerated” sites and that other, unauthorised groups have used both for short periods.
MBPC is less reserved in its view, saying that “many other” traveller groups have visited the locations. It claims that abuse has been directed at visitors to Matlock Bath wishing to use the car and coach park and that barriers have been erected by the travellers.
The parish council has created a petition to DDDC to have the car and coach park returned to its original uses and for measures to be provided to prevent any further encampments. Comments on the petition can be submitted via email.
Derbyshire Dales District Council consultation here.
