Newport Gypsy plans slammed - Gwent

From the South Wales Argus

A STEEL firm, two housing developers, two schools and a number of local businesses have joined in with objections to proposed Gypsy sites in Newport.

Earlier this year a group of councillors recommended three Gypsy sites at Hartridge Farm Road, Ringland Allotments and Celtic Way to be included in the local development plan (LDP). But the plans have attracted a raft of criticism from residents, private firms and schools – as well as the Welsh Government.

Councillors will decide whether to sign off the revised deposit LDP for 2011 to 2026, to go to the Welsh Government for a public examination at a meeting next Thursday. The owner of Llanwern steelworks Tata Steel said a proposed residential site for Gypsies and Travellers at Hartridge Farm Road is significantly bigger than Welsh guidelines for sites, and could pose a health and safety risk with the A48 and railway lines nearby.

The firm is concerned “the scale of the proposed allocation, 43 pitches and potentially circa 129 caravans will be difficult to manage”. Governors at Llanwern High School objected too, saying its size “may lead to costly damage... in terms of physical damage, reputation and image of the school”.

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd – a primary school in Hartridge – objected to the site on traffic grounds. Gallagher Estates has opposed the back-up Ringland Allotments proposal. Concern has also been expressed at the impact a proposed transit site at Celtic Way, Coedkernew, could have on business. Cyncoedproperty.co.uk, the landlord for several shops at Celtic Springs, said a large company is considering the area for a project of 250-300 jobs.

“This company has had cause to ask about these proposals and indeed have now deferred their decision,” the company told the council.

Commercial Property advisors Fletcher Morgan said it is marketing properties at Imperial Park, but a number of potential enquiries “refuse to consider the location once they are aware” of the Celtic Way plan. Hi-tech company, Abriox, said it may vacate Imperial Park if the proposal went ahead.