Dozens attend heated Gypsy meeting in Duffryn - Newport

From the South Wales Argus

Tensions ran high at a public meeting last night to discuss proposed locations of Gypsy sites near Duffryn.

Dozens of people attended the meeting at Duffryn Community Centre last night (Tues) with some turning back because the hall was packed to capacity.

A police officer had to call for calm at the meeting of Coedkernow Community Council after residents shouted down the council's presentation.

Newport City Council is considering three possible locations for Gypsy sites for its LDP (Local Development Plan), currently under consultation. This plan looks forward to 2026 and outlines where planning permission should be granted.

The council is legally bound to find sites for Travellers in the LDP.

A scrutiny committee drew up a list of proposed Gypsy sites following thousands of responses from residents.

Councillors proposed a site on Hartridge Farm Road, Ringland, as a residential area for three families, land on Celtic Way near Duffryn as a transit site for groups passing through, and former allotments at Ringland as a contingency.

At last night's meeting a shout of "I know it's NIMBY, but somewhere else please" was greeted by loud applause.

Another suggestion that it would be cheaper to house Travellers in a 5* hotel met with cheers.

Others threatened to lie on the land to prevent the site being developed.

Mark Hand from the council's development services management, said in a presentation: "It has been a long process with a lot of consultation throughout."

At another meeting on Monday night up to six Police Community Support Officer s attended a meeting of around 150 people at Ringland Community Centre as a precaution.

Angry words were exchanged at the Ringland meeting but police said nothing out of the ordinary occurred and no-one was escorted from the meeting.

Ringland councillor Emma Corten who chaired Monday's meeting said yesterday: "Local residents and members of Newport’s Traveller community all attended, meaning that every group was represented and was able to speak.

"During the hour-long question session some very good points were brought up regarding flooding and allotment allocation, which I will be following up on with Council Officers."

The consultation on the Local Development Plan will remain open until July 26th and forms for people to have their say can be accessed online at www.newport.gov.uk or in hardcopy format from libraries.