Firms engage lawyers over Traveller site - Glamorgan

From the South Wales Evening Post

BUSINESSES operating close to a site which could become home to Gypsy Travellers in Swansea have engaged solicitors to act on their behalf.

Members of the Swansea West Business Park Forum have hired JCP Solicitors to speak on their behalf in addressing the local authority on the issue.

Swansea is already home to one authorised site in Llansamlet but this is now oversubscribed.

Swansea Council launched a three-month consultation with people living and working close to five potential sites which could become a second location for Gypsy Travellers.

The consultation has already generated more than 1,000 responses and comes to an end at the end of next week.

The Swansea West Business Park Forum represents around 200 businesses employing more than 2,000 people. The group is fighting against the use of a former greyhound track close to the business park and held a meeting at the city's Marriott Hotel to discuss its plan of action.

As a result of this a letter has now been drafted to be sent to Swansea Council by JCP Solicitors on behalf of the forum. Sarah Davies, a partner at JCP Solicitors, said: "I can confirm that JCP Solicitors have been instructed to represent the Swansea West Business Park Forum in their objection to the former greyhound stadium in Fforestfach being considered for use as a second gypsy and Traveller site for Swansea.

Opposition

"We will be preparing formal submissions of objection to the proposal on behalf of the Forum which will be submitted to the council in accordance with the consultation process."

Alan Brayley, who runs AB Glass, one of the member firms in the forum, said: "We are the only opposition for the five sites taking a legal stance."

Swansea Council has now set up a dedicated website for the consultation.