GYPSY RACISM ROW AT PLYMOUTH COUNCIL MEETING (uk)

13/11/2009- An extraordinary racism row broke out last night, with angry Gypsies accusing Plymouth councillors of prejudice. A leading member of the Plymouth Race Equality Council said there was "institutional racism" at the council. And councillors hit back, accusing the Gypsies themselves of displaying racist behaviour during a heated planning committee meeting. Councillors turned down two retrospective applications by three Gypsy families to allow them to stay on two pieces of land they own on Ridge Road, Plympton. Maggie Smith-Bendell, speaking on behalf of Mr J. Keating, seeking permission for a mobile home and touring caravan, said the council's plans to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites were inadequate. "There are three ethnic groups seeking sites in this city and they cannot live together," she said. Ms Smith Bendell said the Roma, Irish Travellers and New Age Travellers had different cultures. Cllr Bill Stevens (Lab, Devonport), a committee member, told her: "I think that is a disgraceful statement to make in this day and age. "My record on tackling white people who don't follow correct planning procedure is there for all too see. I won't be spoken to in that tone of voice. I'm getting sick and tired of people who don't like what they see crying racism. "I can rub along with people from any racial group. The one person we've heard today saying racial groups shouldn't be put side by side is Miss Smith-Bendell."

Jon McKenzie, of Plymouth and District Racial Equality Council, speaking on behalf of Alfred and Peter Reilly, who were seeking retrospective permission for two mobile homes and two touring caravans, said: "From day one prejudice, justice, equality and fairness have been a part of this." He said there had been "outrageous" comments by committee members in the press, and objectors writing to the council had slandered the Gypsy families. "The attitude is that, 'We don't want these people living here and we'll find reasons to stop them'," Mr McKenzie said. He said councillors were "living in Cuckoo- land". Referring to comments that the applicants were using the land unlawfully, he said: "It isn't unlawful to submit a retrospective planning application. If members of this committee aren't aware of that they are not fit for purpose." He said later: "I am concerned about issues of institutional racism at the council. There are things that wouldn't have happened if they were ordinary home owners." "People of such different historical backgrounds as Irish Travellers, Roma and the Showmans' Guild can't comfortably co-exist. You won't find any groups of ethnic Gypsies easily and comfortably living together with groups of New Age Travellers." Ms Smith-Bendell threatened that if the applicants took the decision to appeal they would be seeking full costs against the council.

Dr Keith Clapton, giving evidence, said the site at Twin Oaks, on Ridge Road Plympton, was central to the planned country park that will form a buffer zone for Sherford new town. Plympton Erle councillor Terri Beer told the committee: "The fact that local residents would be denied the opportunity for a similar development is deeply unfair." Cllr Patrick Nicholson (Con, Plympton St Mary) said: "It isn't a question that a small section of society is being persecuted. Nothing could be further from the truth."
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