A SITE office and community facility has finally opened at a York travellers site and is now in daily use.

City of York Council has installed a portable building at the Osbaldwick site after abandoning its original attempt last year to build a bricks-and-mortar office.

Planning approval was granted for the controversial expansion of the site from 12 to 18 pitches on condition that a site office was created, “prior to occupation of the extension or as soon as practicable thereafter”.

The pitches were occupied by last September.

Tom Brittain, who is the head of housing services, said that as part of the authority’s management plan and planning conditions, a permanent on-site community facility was up and running.

He said it was in daily use for a range of meetings, events and sessions involving a number of different agencies as part of the council’s commitment to “better manage the site and support the community”.

Opposition to the office included an alleged pick axe attack on the foundations last May and last July. Officers said they were working hard to explain the benefits of the complex after facing more “challenges” by residents.

Osbaldwick and Derwent councillor Mark Warters welcomed the opening of the office.

However, he said: “It remains to be seen how effective the new management regime will be in tackling problems such as anti social behaviour.”

Christine Shepherd, of the York Travellers’ Trust, said it was one of a number of organisations using the offices, which were proving really beneficial to the community.

“We are holding a drop-in session there once a week, where people can come along and raise any issues, and we are hoping to start some literacy classes and parenting courses,” she said.