Newport Gypsy site plans come under fire in debate - Wales

From the South Wales Argus

COUNCILLORS in Newport yesterday locked horns in a heated public debate about proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites.

Labour members called for plans detailing five potential sites in Lliswerry, Marshfield and Bettws to be removed from the authority’s draft Local Development Plan, claiming there had been no public consultation on their choosing. Instead, they want a council committee to look at the viability of all 200 available sites in the city before any preferred sites are put forward for consideration.

Councillor Mark Whitcutt, who proposed the amendment, claimed transparency on the issue was key to community cohesion.

Bettws councillor Glyn Jarvis branded the council’s handling of the matter as “clandestine” and said the only way to prove the authority was democratic and trustworthy was to consider all possible sites.

Cllr Ron Jones questioned why the authority should include any Gypsy and Traveller sites in its long-term plan for the city’s land use if it was clear residents did not want them. He said: “Maybe people will come back and say they don’t want to have a Gypsy site, if that’s the case why are we naming sites at all?”

But head of planning Mark Hand said predictions showed the council needed to provide 27 permanent pitches and seven transit ones to cater for Gypsies and Travellers up to 2026 to comply with Welsh Government guidelines.

Failing to do so would not only delay the LDP process, which could effect the council’s say on future planning developments, but could also result in a six-figure fine, he said.

Voting against the amendment, council leader Matthew Evans said delaying the LDP would be a waste of council time and money.

The amendment was defeated by 26 votes to 18. The LDP will now go out to public consultation and residents will have a chance to air their views on the plans as well as suggest alternative sites.

Blaenau Gwent council plans to extend the Cwmcrachen Gypsy and Traveller site to accommodate four pitches. The council’s LDP has been submitted to the Welsh Government and will be subject to an examination in June.

The plan is expected to be adopted in February next year. Chief executive of Monmouthshire council, Paul Matthews, said the council commissioned a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs and sites study in December 2009 which showed a need for a site near Usk.

He said: “Following a planning appeal inquiry, planning permission for the site has been granted and the site is being developed for two caravans.

There is therefore no evidence of further need in the county, hence no further sites are proposed.”

A Torfaen council spokeswoman said: “We have identified the need for further Gypsy and Traveller pitches and are currently searching for extra provision in order to meet Welsh Government guidelines.”

A Caerphilly council spokesman said no traveller sites had been identified in the council’s LDP.