FRONT page Helston Packet “Travellers to get new site” – The proposed site within the St Keverne parish is not to be revealed until the parish council have decided whether they prefer site A or B and planning permission has been submitted.

The intention is to provide several sites throughout Cornwall. Is this the council’s democratic way of making decisions as to where the location of the sites should be? So much for openness and transparency.

Is this not discrimination against local council tax payers, that only the local parish and town councils, along with the travellers are able to be involved in initial discussions regarding proposed sites.

In my opinion that is the quickest way to cause misunderstanding and possible long term socially divisive problems. It is not constructive to avoid debates/discussions with local communities just to avoid any possible controversy.

If members of the local community were able to meet with some of the travellers and the local parish/town councils for the initial discussions it may help dispel any misconceptions there may be. Shutting people out of the discussions is the quickest way to invent problems which otherwise may not have existed.

I was married to a gypsy for 23 years until his death, I therefore have an insight into the problems that can occur by way of misunderstanding between different cultures, some of these problems can be instigated by misguided local councils. Gill Martin, (via email)