More than 3,500 people sign petition against second Travellers' site in Llansamlet - Swansea

From the South Wales Evening Post

MORE than 3,500 people have signed a petition against a proposed second Travellers' site in Llansamlet.

Members of the Llansamlet Against a Second Traveller Site campaign have also invited Swansea Council chief executive Jack Straw to answer questions on the issue during a public meeting to be held next week.

The meeting has been organised to publicise support for the campaign and discuss the next steps in the fight against a potential second site Llansamlet.

"We now have more than 3,500 signatures from Llansamlet registered electors," said campaign chair Hilary Jenkins.

"This is more people than actually turned out to vote in the last election."

"This may not be part of the official council consultation process, but it is the true voice of democracy," said Mike Parkhouse, a Swansea East businessman and campaign committee member.

He added: "This campaign deserves far more respect and response from an administration that claims to be democratic, open and transparent."

The next public meeting will be at the Manor Park Country House in Clydach on Wednesday, February 27, at 7pm.

A spokesman for the campaign said: "Many Llansamlet people are confused about the council's consultation process.

"We are not surprised, but we do strongly urge everyone to participate.

"We are now delivering the official forms to every house in the ward which is something that the council should have done themselves.

"We can help people fill it in if people get in touch, we can also deliver it back to the council should they wish us to do so."

Mrs Jenkins added: "Our very carefully managed petition is a quite unprecedented demonstration of local feeling.

"It is completely inappropriate to be considering the short-listed site off Peniel Green Road or any other site in the Llansamlet ward."

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "A three-month consultation is under way in Swansea and we have invited everyone to comment on the current proposals.

"It is important that the consultation process is completed before council officers provide any further views on the matter."