Objections against new Gypsy site - Swansea

From the South Wales Evening Post

A SERIES of objections have been raised against a proposed site for Travellers in Swansea.

The fate of the scheme, earmarked for land at Drummau House, Birchgrove Road in Swansea, is now being considered by the Welsh Housing Minister.

It was originally rejected by Swansea Council on a number of grounds.

The scheme put forward by Mervin Thomas proposes four Gypsy pitches.

There are also plans for further pitches, along with utility/dayrooms for travellers to use.

In a report, which went before Swansea Council planners, it was said there were a number of reasons to reject the plans.

"The proposal represents unjustified development in the countryside which would fail to maintain and would detract from the openness and character of the countryside and Birchgrove Green Wedge and would be harmful to the visual amenities of the locality," said the report.

Under the reasons of objection to the scheme in the report, were that the applicant had further failed to show there was adequate access to and from the site to the road network.

The report said the site did not meet the right criteria and would lead to an obstruction in Birchgrove Road, which would pose highway safety problems.

There were further concerns raised that the site could also impact upon a water main running through the field.

"The site is crossed by a 48-inch diameter public water main, and it has not been demonstrated that the proposed development would not adversely affect this strategic water main," the report added.

John Lock, planning control manager of Swansea Council, confirmed the application had gone to appeal and was now being considered by the Welsh Government.

He said: "The appeal follows the refusal of planning permission by the council.

"The appeal is to be decided by the arrangement of a public inquiry and a site visit by an inspector."

A group of Travellers has set up camp in the car park of the former DIY store B&Q on Samlet Road, Llansamlet. The group, which arrived last week, was made up of three caravans and a Transit van.