Family refusal to take up official Traveller site pitches sparks fresh site questions - Swansea

From the South Wales Evening Post

FAMILIES have turned down the opportunity to take up residence at Swansea's official site for Travellers — prompting questions to council officers over the process to find another site within the city.

Llansamlet councillor Bob Clay has written to the authority's chief executive Jack Straw after learning that almost all travelling families based in Swansea have been offered pitches at the official Travellers' site in Pantyblawd Road — but declined to take them up.

Mr Clay said their refusal had implications for any future Travellers site — which Swansea Council's cabinet is due to discuss today. Members will make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation of officers to set up a second site either in Llansamlet or in Cockett. Councillors rejected the recommendation at a full council meeting last month, and asked for more plots to be considered, including privately owned land. Cabinet members will decide with option to pursue.

Mr Clay said: "I am hoping that we will now receive answers from officers that will explain why we are spending so much time and money pursuing new Travellers sites when families are not taking up offers for pitches on the existing site."

Even though families have turned down pitches at Pantyblawd Road, Swansea Council said the number of families needed to be accommodated exceeded its capacity, so another site is needed to meet its statutory obligations.

A spokesman said: "The accommodation needs assessment carried out in 2013 highlighted the fact there is an unmet demand for further gypsy and Traveller site provision.

"This process to identify a suitable location for a second site in Swansea is ongoing and cabinet is due to meet to discuss the next steps."