New law would force Traveller sites shake-up - Wales

From the South Wales Evening Post

LOCAL authorities across Wales could face prosecution under a proposed new housing bill, unless new Gypsy and Traveller sites are built.

AM Julie Morgan, chairwoman of a cross-party Welsh Assembly group on Gypsies and Travellers, said the new law would force councils to do more than simply try and find suitable sites.

A vote on whether to implement the bill is due to take place in the autumn.

Julie Morgan AM said: "We have to grasp the nettle and try and find places for people to live. They have human rights.

"Surely in Wales we can accommodate those people so they have somewhere to live and bring their children up?

"Our job here is to make laws."

Swansea Council is in the process of identifying a new site for Travellers.

Five sites have been shortlisted by the authority, including what would be a second in Llansamlet, two in Gorseinon, one in Cockett and one in Penderry.

The number of new pitches needed across Wales is estimated to be around 400, with room for around 1,200 caravans.

Last month, Welsh Assembly inspectors said the number of Travellers' pitches needed in Swansea might have been underestimated.

Upholding an appeal against Swansea Council's decision to refuse permission for private land at Drummau House, Birchgrove, to be used for "caravans for residential purposes for four Gypsy pitches", an inspectors' report concluded: "It is clear to me that the Gypsy Traveller accommodation assessment has underestimated need . . . it seems to me that need will be considerably more than that identified by the council."

A Swansea Council spokesman said: "We are in the process of looking for additional space in the city for Gypsy and Traveller families.

"A consultation on a number of potential sites has been completed and we have had an excellent response from the public.

"The next step is to consider all the repsonses of the consultation before a further report is presented to council and cabinet."