Proposed Traveller sites in Swansea whittled down to two

From the South Wales Evening Post

FIVE sites have been whittled down to two in the search to find land for Gypsy Travellers.

Swansea Council has been engaged in a long-running process to find a site for Travellers to stay, and the Evening Post understands the authority’s two “preferred sites” are in Cockett and Llansamlet.

A report has been delivered to councillors outlining the conclusions of the lengthy process to identify a suitable site, which had considered five short-listed locations.

An announcement on its findings is due to be made today , and it is expected to reveal the preferred sites are the former greyhound racing track in Cockett, and Peniel Green Road in Llansamlet.

In Llansamlet, residents have been involved in a campaign calling for the new site not to be located there, as it already has one official site for Travellers, as well as an unofficial one where Travellers have set-up home on a park and ride car park.

A petition against bringing a new site to Llansamlet was signed by 6,000 residents — more than half the ward’s voters.

One told the Post: “I have got to know some of the Travellers through work and through school, and people must remember that most are no different to you and me. But this is not the right site. We already have two sites here.

“If the unofficial one was moved, it might make people happier, and perhaps more people would use the park and ride site on match days at the Liberty Stadium, and alleviate the parking problems they have in Landore.

“But I don’t think the whole process to find a site has been transparent.”

Cockett ward resident Alan Davies added: “My concern is that this site had been earmarked on Swansea Council’s local development plan as suitable for business or residential development.

“This was reiterated at the most recent residential meeting.

“We will need to see the details of the report, because we were to make representations before full council”.

The two sites had been included on a short-list which also featured two in Gorseinon, and one in Penderry ward.

More than 3,100 responses were received during a public consultation exercise.

The report is now expected to be brought before full council, before a final decision is taken by the authority’s cabinet.

A Swansea council spokesman said: “The latest report concerning the council’s efforts to identify a second Gypsy and Traveller site in Swansea will be published later today.”