A lack of Gypsy and Traveller sites in Cardiff's Local Development Plan could have a knock-on effect in Newport

From the South Wales Argus

A SHORTAGE of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in a long term development plan for Cardiff could lead to more unauthorised camps in Newport.

That’s according to the city’s head of planning who has penned a formal objection from the council to Cardiff over the plan, saying it is unsound.

The objection was approved by cabinet member for regeneration and development Cllr John Richards.

Mark Hand, head of planning, wrote that the Cardiff council Local Development Plan (LDP) itself says the city needs 108 more pitches residential pitches for gypsies and Travellers and a transit site for ten.

But the plan only allocates 65 pitches at Pengam Green, and does not include a transit site.

“This is a signficiant shortage,” writes Mr Hand in a report to Cllr Richards.

“There is a real risk that this lack of provision will result in an increase in unauthorised encampments which may spread to Newport, especially in areas such as Marshfield which are close to the Cardiff border.”

He said the need for transit pitches appears to have been “ignored” – with the LDP saying the matter should be discussed regionally.

Mr Hand explained that the proposed transit site at CelticWay is intended to serve Newport’s needs only, and expressed concern that Cardiff might rely on Newport to provide such accommodation.

He adds that a claim by the authority that there wasn’t enough time to find additional sites, after issues were found with ones identified in a study, suggests the plan is incomplete and “inevitably unsound”.

“As a result of Cardiff not providing sufficient accommodation... it is strongly recommended that Newport City Council object to Cardiff’s deposit LDP,” Mr Hand wrote.

He said the council needs to find 43 more pitches for residential use and a transit site of its own.

Newport council also called for cycle routes to be added to the plan and for the need for the M4 Relief Road to be highlighted before employment sites are built in the east of the capital.

Proposals for employment sites on land south of St Mellons Business Park also threatens the “strategic gap between Newport and Cardiff”, according to Mr Hand’s report.