Old Heath residents were in jubilant mood after the council's decision not to choose Place Farm as a travellers' site.

But now Colchester could get a transient site, rather than a permanent one. And it looks likely an outside agency could now be brought in to consider the options.

Old Heath had been unanimous in its objection to the proposals and residents' groups had worked hard to get the message across to councillors, including chartering a battle bus to ferry people to the meeting.

Battle Bus - Luke Nash, of the Whitehall Business Association and Dave Smith of the Old Heath Residents' Association with the chartered bus which took protesters to the meeting. Picture: Nigel Brown

"There were 300 seats in the hall and there wasn't a space left," said Dave Smith, chairman of Old Heath Residents' Association.

The actions of some residents in opposing the scheme prompted one councillor to announce: "Hitler is alive and well and living in Old Heath."

Terry Sutton (Lib Dem, Berechurch) angered some of the crowd, adding: "Some people have said they (the travellers) should be caged shot or gassed. Those statements I find quite abhorrent."

Mr Sutton, portfolio holder for waste and environment, said the council will be talking to the county authority to see what should be done now. He said it is likely an outside agency will be asked to look at the problem.

Instead of having a permanent site, it is possible that a more transient one could be provided where travellers would only be able to stay for a few days at a time.

Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002

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