Traveller site upgrade faces pause as cost rises

A local authority report has recommended pausing a project to upgrade a run-down Gypsy and traveller site in south-west Scotland after estimated costs reached £1.6m per caravan pitch.

The document highlighted concerns about the viability of the current plans to improve Thistle Grove at Collin - and the level of financial risk.

The Scottish Housing Regulator ordered Dumfries and Galloway Council to take action after a 2018 review found living conditions at the camp failed to meet the minimum standards set by the Scottish government.

The work required was initially expected to cost £7.8m but that figure has now almost doubled to £14.8m and, according to the council, could rise even further.

Four options to tackle the failings identified were originally tabled - including relocating the caravan park.

Councillors subsequently voted in favour of redeveloping the existing site as their preferred way forward.

That choice has proved problematic, with the camp located on a bed of deep peat and sand which has caused long-standing issues with subsidence.

According to the report, there remains uncertainty about the scale of structural work needed to stabilise the ground which could result in large fluctuations in cost.

Thistle Grove consists of 16 pitches and currently houses seven families made up of 14 adults and 14 children.

The design blueprint to upgrade is now based on just nine pitches - which would equate to an investment of £1.64m per pitch.

The anticipated costs of decanting residents during the work have been factored in but a temporary site, which would also have meet minimum living standards, has yet to be identified.

The uncertainties and risks surrounding the project will be put to a meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council with a recommendation to pause the current plans and explore alternative sites that would meet the residents' needs.