Shannon Casey, Nancy Hawker and Lisa Casey at Islington Town Hall this week

MEMBERS of Islington’s Gypsy and Traveller community have called for understanding, and pleaded with the public to “give them a chance”, as the final round of consultation for new sites in the borough gets underway.

Community representatives and activists were joined by campaign group London Gypsy and Travellers (LGT) as they met with the Town Hall’s planning teams this week.

Once the final round of surveys concludes next August, proposals will be sent to independent planning inspectors for a final examination and decision about potential pitches.

Unlike neighbouring boroughs Hackney and Camden, Islington still has zero traveller sites, with the last location dismantled in 1983. This is despite legal requirements for local authorities to provide culturally appropriate accommodation.

Community activist Lisa Casey has lived in Islington for her entire life, as has her daughter Shannon.

She said as soon as people become aware of her family’s ethnic background, they are treated like outsiders.

“I would just like the public to give us a chance,” Ms Casey said.

“If you’ve got any questions, we’re more than willing to talk to people.

“We’re looking for small sites for small families that have already been living in the borough. Come and visit us, say hello, we are not an enemy. We just want to live in peace, living our way of life.”

Ms Casey has been campaigning for Traveller sites in the borough for
20 years, as well as to shift.

After the last round of consultation, which ended in January, Islington removed two sites from its original list of nine potential locations for pitches.

Nancy Hawker, policy and research manager for LGT, said that members of the community had been hurt after learning that there were more than 1,100 objections made during the last round of feedback.

Despite this, both her and Ms Casey said Islington Council was “doing their research” and working hard to understand, and cater for the needs of the community.

“We are not asking for anything major for our communities.” Ms Hawker said.

“In total it is dwellings for twelve households. We are just asking for the council to adhere to what their rights are, and for what they deserve.”

Ms Casey added that she felt optimistic that Islington was “as close as ever” in delivering the sites, but that years of campaigning, knock-backs and public abuse had taken a mental toll on her, and others.

She said: “It does get you down. It does make you quite depressed. The fact that some of my children have had to leave home, and leave the borough so that they can continue their nomadic way of life.

“The last time I attended the meeting for a Ronalds Road site a few years ago, I got a lot of abuse and my car even got vandalised.”

Discrimination towards GRT communities across the country is rife, with Yougov research showing that as many as 45 per cent of people would be uncomfortable living next door to Gypsy or Traveller families.

Ms Casey’s daughter Shannon added: “People are so scared of us, and what we might do. But if they actually knew us, all we want to do is help people.

“If they just got to know us instead of stigmatising, they’d understand better.”

The seven sites still currently open for consultation are spread across five wards, Arsenal, Highbury, Mildmay St Peter’s and Canalside and Tufnell park.

A final decision from the inspectorate is expected by spring 2027 at the earliest.

Islington Council’s official documentation for the consultation period says: “Inappropriate comments that make use of stereotypes and discriminatory language to characterise Gypsy and Traveller communities will be rejected”.