A rent hike on the caravan site in Salford which featured in the TV show 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' has been condemned by a councillor. It follows a decision by Salford city council's cabinet to increase rent on the Duchy Caravan Site by 12.4 per cent, compared to a rise of only seven per cent on 12,000 social housing properties in the Pendleton area of Salford.
Coun Sharmina Augusth said the move ‘leaves a bad taste in my mouth'. Social housing rents are to rise by an average of £6.57 from £93.85 per week to £100.42 while an average pitch fee at the Duchy Caravan Site will go up from £57.92 per week to £65.10.
Coun Shamina August told Salford city council’s cabinet: “I am really proud of the work we do for the Travelling community in our authority. We are one of the few local authorities in the country which has pitches for Travellers who are among one of the most marginalised communities.”
