A collection of caravans and associated vehicles has recently taken up position in the expansive car park bordering McDiarmid Park in Perth. This development, which became apparent over the past weekend, marks a noticeable presence of a travelling group in an area closely associated with the city’s prominent football club, St Johnstone FC, located off Crieff Road.
The arrival of the encampment has inevitably brought the perennial issue of temporary settlements to the forefront of local discussion. McDiarmid Park, a significant sporting and community asset for Perth, typically bustling with activity, now presents a different scene on its perimeter. This situation prompts various questions and considerations for the surrounding community, encompassing aspects of resource management, public space utilisation, and the welfare of all involved.
Representatives from St Johnstone Football Club, the proprietors of the land now occupied by the temporary residents, have acknowledged the situation. The club has confirmed that it is actively liaising with the local council regarding the encampment. However, at this preliminary stage, the club has opted to withhold any further public statements, indicating that discussions are ongoing with municipal authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.
This occurrence draws attention to the existing policy framework of Perth and Kinross Council concerning transient communities. According to information publicly accessible on the council’s official website, the region currently lacks any formally recognised transient or temporary stopping sites specifically designated for short-term encampments. This absence of dedicated facilities for travelling groups highlights a gap in provision, placing a greater onus on reactive measures when such situations arise on public or private land.
While the region may not have dedicated transient sites, it does host two permanent residential locations for the Gypsy/Traveller community: Double Dykes, situated within the city of Perth, and Bobbin Mill, located in the picturesque area near Pitlochry. For those travelling groups that do establish temporary encampments, the council’s outlined policy commits to offering advice and practical support. This encompasses vital services such as public health information, access to educational resources for children, general welfare assistance, and essential provisions for sanitation, waste disposal, and other necessary amenities. Such provisions are crucial for mitigating potential health and environmental impacts and upholding basic living standards for all individuals.
The current situation at McDiarmid Park is not an isolated incident within Scotland. Similar scenarios have unfolded in other local authority areas throughout the recent summer period. For example, in a neighbouring city, legal proceedings were initiated by the local council in May to address a comparable encampment that had established itself within a public park. These recurring events underscore the complex and often sensitive balance local administrations must strike between the rights and cultural practices of the travelling community and the wider concerns of the settled population regarding land use and public amenity.
Furthermore, the Perth and Kinross Council’s website explicitly states that the broader provision for transient sites within the region remains under continuous review. This ongoing assessment reflects an evolving understanding and a commitment to exploring more sustainable and integrated solutions for accommodating the diverse housing and travel needs of all communities, including the travelling community. Any future policy adjustments resulting from this review could significantly alter how temporary encampments are managed across Perth and Kinross, potentially leading to more structured and proactive approaches rather than purely reactive responses.
The presence of such encampments in high-profile locations like a major sports stadium’s car park can often generate diverse community reactions. Some residents may express empathy and advocate for supportive measures, while others might raise concerns pertaining to local infrastructure, environmental cleanliness, or perceived impacts on public spaces. Navigating these varied community sentiments requires careful communication and a balanced approach from local authorities, aiming to foster understanding and address practical challenges for all stakeholders in the region.
Effectively managing temporary encampments, particularly on sites not specifically designed for residential use, presents a multitude of logistical challenges for the council. These challenges range from ensuring access to clean water and adequate waste disposal facilities to upholding general public health and safety standards. The existing policy of offering advice and assistance, while well-intentioned, often serves as an interim solution in the absence of dedicated transit sites, which are frequently difficult and costly to establish due to planning complexities and local opposition. The situation at McDiarmid Park, therefore, underscores an broader imperative for a comprehensive, long-term strategy that anticipates these challenges, rather than solely responding to them as they arise within the Perth and Kinross community.
The arrival of the encampment has inevitably brought the perennial issue of temporary settlements to the forefront of local discussion. McDiarmid Park, a significant sporting and community asset for Perth, typically bustling with activity, now presents a different scene on its perimeter. This situation prompts various questions and considerations for the surrounding community, encompassing aspects of resource management, public space utilisation, and the welfare of all involved.
Representatives from St Johnstone Football Club, the proprietors of the land now occupied by the temporary residents, have acknowledged the situation. The club has confirmed that it is actively liaising with the local council regarding the encampment. However, at this preliminary stage, the club has opted to withhold any further public statements, indicating that discussions are ongoing with municipal authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.
This occurrence draws attention to the existing policy framework of Perth and Kinross Council concerning transient communities. According to information publicly accessible on the council’s official website, the region currently lacks any formally recognised transient or temporary stopping sites specifically designated for short-term encampments. This absence of dedicated facilities for travelling groups highlights a gap in provision, placing a greater onus on reactive measures when such situations arise on public or private land.
While the region may not have dedicated transient sites, it does host two permanent residential locations for the Gypsy/Traveller community: Double Dykes, situated within the city of Perth, and Bobbin Mill, located in the picturesque area near Pitlochry. For those travelling groups that do establish temporary encampments, the council’s outlined policy commits to offering advice and practical support. This encompasses vital services such as public health information, access to educational resources for children, general welfare assistance, and essential provisions for sanitation, waste disposal, and other necessary amenities. Such provisions are crucial for mitigating potential health and environmental impacts and upholding basic living standards for all individuals.
The current situation at McDiarmid Park is not an isolated incident within Scotland. Similar scenarios have unfolded in other local authority areas throughout the recent summer period. For example, in a neighbouring city, legal proceedings were initiated by the local council in May to address a comparable encampment that had established itself within a public park. These recurring events underscore the complex and often sensitive balance local administrations must strike between the rights and cultural practices of the travelling community and the wider concerns of the settled population regarding land use and public amenity.
Furthermore, the Perth and Kinross Council’s website explicitly states that the broader provision for transient sites within the region remains under continuous review. This ongoing assessment reflects an evolving understanding and a commitment to exploring more sustainable and integrated solutions for accommodating the diverse housing and travel needs of all communities, including the travelling community. Any future policy adjustments resulting from this review could significantly alter how temporary encampments are managed across Perth and Kinross, potentially leading to more structured and proactive approaches rather than purely reactive responses.
The presence of such encampments in high-profile locations like a major sports stadium’s car park can often generate diverse community reactions. Some residents may express empathy and advocate for supportive measures, while others might raise concerns pertaining to local infrastructure, environmental cleanliness, or perceived impacts on public spaces. Navigating these varied community sentiments requires careful communication and a balanced approach from local authorities, aiming to foster understanding and address practical challenges for all stakeholders in the region.
Effectively managing temporary encampments, particularly on sites not specifically designed for residential use, presents a multitude of logistical challenges for the council. These challenges range from ensuring access to clean water and adequate waste disposal facilities to upholding general public health and safety standards. The existing policy of offering advice and assistance, while well-intentioned, often serves as an interim solution in the absence of dedicated transit sites, which are frequently difficult and costly to establish due to planning complexities and local opposition. The situation at McDiarmid Park, therefore, underscores an broader imperative for a comprehensive, long-term strategy that anticipates these challenges, rather than solely responding to them as they arise within the Perth and Kinross community.
1 Comment
Send them back to wherever they snuck in from
Make Perth Great Again