60 gather at protest over possible second Traveller site - Swansea

From the South Wales Evening Post

RESIDENTS staged a protest over a potential Travellers' site being set up in their area.

More than 60 people took part in the former Fforestfach Greyhound Track — one of two sites which has been earmarked as a suitable location by Swansea Council.

The other is in Peniel Green Road in Llansamlet.

One of the organisers, Alan Davies, said people were worried the move would have a detrimental impact on nearby businesses — and the potential plans found in the authority's Local Development Plan (LDP) would serve the community better.

"We do not feel the land is suitable for a second gypsy site," he said.

"In the LDP there are proposals for 500 to 700 homes and for businesses as well," he said.

"It is not about saying we don't want Travellers, what we are saying is that we feel they are making the wrong decision at looking at it as one of the sites.

"A lot of businesses have been through a double-dip recession. Some have said if it goes ahead they will have to consider moving.

"It is about the potential of the land, and future growth and employment here."

Swansea Council has undertaken a long-running process to find a second Travellers' site in the city.

There were initially five sites on the shortlist — but the Evening Post revealed earlier this month that the greyhound track and the land in Llansamlet had been identified as the authority's preferred site.

Russell Mooney, director of SIRUS Fluid Power at the nearby Swansea West Business Park, added: "People are worried in all honesty.

"We are in favour of more development, anything which can bring jobs to the area.

"It could be bedlam."

Another resident, who didn't wish to be named, said they were disappointed councillors who visited the track didn't engage with the protestors who wanted to air their views.

"They didn't even acknowledge our presence," she said.

"There was about 30 councillors there and they totally ignored us."