'Appalled' over Gypsy site plans - Carmarthenshire

From the South Wales Evening Post

THE owner of Llanelli crematorium has hit out after adjacent land was named as a potential Traveller site.

Last week, after months of discussions with landowners, developers and other interested parties, Carmarthenshire Council revealed three sites across the town which have been submitted for considering in the authority's local development plan (LDP).

A spokesman for the authority said all three plots were being looked at, with no firm decision made as yet.

Marj Jopling, who owns Llanelli Crematorium, said one of the sites on Penprys Road was not suitable due to its proximity to the memorial site.

She said: "I was appalled the site on Penprys Road could even be considered as a new gypsy and Traveller site. Llanelli Crematorium is positioned on Penprys Road just above the proposed site and since it opened in 2002 has built, with a great deal of hard work, a reputation for peaceful serenity.

"The gardens of remembrance have many memorials which are cared for every day by the bereaved who find some solace in the beauty and calmness of our grounds.

"Over 10,000 families have entrusted their loved ones to our care and we take enormous pride in our professionalism and empathy which can clearly be seen in the way we present our service.

"Although I fully appreciate they must have permanent sites surely they should be in places that do not impact on services and land of a highly sensitive nature."

In a letter to the authority, Mrs Jopling urged the council to remove the site from the LDP immediately.

Concerns have also been raised about the site at Berwick, Bynea — with the Bynea District Forum writing to the authority, Countryside Wales and National Resources Wales about the effect on the vole habitat on an adjoining site.

A Carmarthenshire Council spokesman said the sites had been published to give people a chance to comment, and said there was no commitment to any site.