Thousands of Torfaen homes a step closer

From the Free Press

...As part of the LDP, a study has highlighted that between 20 to 42 additional permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers are needed.

Existing provision for Gypsies and Travellers is on the council-owned Shepherds Hill site in Cwmynyscoy.

But it suffers overcrowding and to mining subsidence issues.

The plan incorporates two sites which would jointly meet the predicted need, including expansion onto land owned by the Gypsy and Traveller Community at Upper Race.

The council also proposes a new site for up to 32 pitches on the former Race Athletic football pitch, to the north of the existing Shepherds Hill site in Cwmynyscoy.

All of the planned accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers is within the Cwmynyscoy ward, but the inspector said that this was not a reason for the proposal to be excluded.

He accepts that residents have referred to problems of crime and antisocial behaviour, but there is no evidence to suggest that occupiers of the Gipsy and Traveller sites were responsible.