Gypsies and travellers are a part of British life, and have been so for many centuries. They make up a very small minority within the wider population. Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised under the Human Rights Act as ethnic minorities against whom discrimination is unlawful. Public authorities, including Local Authorities and the Police, have a general duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and good race relations in carrying out their functions.
There is an established resident traveller population settled within the Darlington community.
Authorised Sites for travellers in Darlington
The Council provides two caravan sites for travellers that have been in use for over thirty years. Both sites are leased and managed by members of the Gypsy community. In addition there are three small private owner occupied sites.
Neasham Road caravan site was established in the 1970's with 20 pitches. Each pitch is provided with an individual amenity block and a hard standing for 2 caravans and vehicles.
Honeypot Lane caravan site was established in 1970's and refurbishment started in 2004 with the aid of grants from central government. In 2006, following completion of the works, there are 32 residential pitches (23 with their own amenity blocks and 9 pitches for mobile chalet type caravans). There are, in addition, 24 transit pitches for travellers who can stay for up to 8 weeks . All pitches are hard standings and capable of accommodating two caravans, with tow vehicles, to allow families to be together.
There are two communal toilet blocks, for the use of residents on the transit pitches. Each of these blocks includes showers and separate accessible shower/toilet room.
There is also on site a ‘SureStart’ communal building, a separate parking area for heavy goods vehicles and a laundry room with automatic washing machines and tumble driers .
The ‘SureStart’ communal building was developed with finance from SureStart, the Council and Darlington Primary Care Trust. This provides a modern facility for the provision of services to travellers.
Information on Unauthorised Encampments and Code of Conduct for Caravan Occupiers
Using a grant of £489,00, from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, construction started in February 2006 and was completed in August 2006 for a second transit site, at Honeypot Lane. The funding paid for the whole cost of providing the 12 new hard standing pitches, a security fence, street lighting, an amenity block providing separate Male and female facilities (each with a shower, 3 WC's and 2 Wash hand basin) together with separate accessible shower/toilet room and laundry room. Each pitch, for up to 2 caravans, has separate electric supply, water supply and drainage .