Leader 'has not misled anyone' over Traveller site - Wales

From South Wales Evening Post

SWANSEA Council leader Chris Holley insists he has not misled anyone after saying Travellers would not be going to a site in Gorseinon, which the Post can reveal is on a shortlist of five.

The land in question is off Heol y Mynydd, adjacent to the former Valeo site recently taken over by Japanese car parts company Toyoda Gosei.

The other four are the former greyhound stadium, in the Cockett ward; Milford Way, Penderry; land at the eastern gateway to Swansea Vale, Llansamlet; and land at the rear of Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Last Thursday, in response to gathering concern among some Gorseinon residents that the Heol y Mynydd site might be on a shortlist, Mr Holley said: "There are no gypsy families going there full stop."

On Tuesday, as some 40 protesters gathered there, Mr Holley said his position had not changed. He did confirm that a shortlist existed. He added that a full council meeting would decide when and where any second Travellers' site will go.

Asked if he still stood by his comments, Mr Holley said he did.

"I am not misleading anyone," he said. "I was aware of the process (of a search) was in operation. I was aware there were over 100 sites that were looked at. But because of the confidentiality of it, I was not acutely aware of where particular sites were."

Gorseinon protester Chris Morgan said he was somewhat bemused by Mr Holley's explanation.

"I find it very strange," he said.

Mr Morgan said on the day of this week's protest, around seven prospective Swansea councillors visited the site, including incumbent Cabinet Member for Environment John Hague.

Mr Morgan said: "John Hague is quite high up the council — are you telling me that one does not talk to the other?"

The search for a second, authorised Travellers' site has been ongoing for some time. Swansea Council undertook a housing needs assessment in 2008 which formally identified the need for another Travellers' site in addition to the one at Pantyblawd Road, Llansamlet.

In 2009, two traveller families went to court and won the right to stay at an unauthorised site at Swansea Vale. One of them has stayed there permanently.

Council officers have since looked at numerous potential sites and advised a cross-party task and finish group comprising elected members.

The Post understands a shortlist of 19 sites, including ones in the Bonymaen, Cwmbwrla and Llangyfelach wards, was whittled down to the current five, which have now been inspected by the task and finish group.

The criteria used by officers included site constraints, highways issues, potential environmental impacts, amenity issues and local services. The second site would ideally comprise 16 pitches.

A report will in due course go before cabinet before the matter is debated by full council. Once a decision on a preferred option has been made, a planning application will be submitted with residents given the chance to comment.

Incumbent cabinet member for business improvement and efficiency, Mary Jones, said it was possible the five sites may end up being rejected by elected members.

"It is for the council to decide," she said.

Mr Holley said the issue was very emotive, and that he didn't believe a decision would be made for some time.

Referring to the site near Valeo, which has also been earmarked for potential cemetery use, Mr Holley added: "I think there are places which are inappropriate. This one is what, 200 yards from a school and next to a factory that hopes to employ 500 people."

Protester Mr Morgan said the site had previously been camped on by Travellers who then used the facilities at Penyrheol Leisure Centre. "It is definitely the wrong place," he added.