Travellers must pay rates and utility bills at new official sites
GYPSIES and Travellers who take up pitches at new councilrun sites will be forced to pay rates and utility bills, according to officers.
Anglesey Council’s housing department say that plans for a permanent four pitch site for ‘new age Travellers’ at Penhesgyn near Menai Bridge, should be submitted for planning approval within the next month.
Similar plans are also in the pipeline for a temporary four pitch stopping site for Romany Gypsies near the A55 at Star.
But despite opposition from many members of the public, who’ve questioned the suitability of both sites, officers say that over 40 locations across the island were explored before deciding on the two.
Locals near Penhesgyn say the site’s location near a recycling centre means it’s not suitable, with similar concerns in Star due to its proximity to both the A5 and A55.
According to the authority, both sites have already been subject of detailed design considerations – including air quality, noise, ecology and flood risk assessments.
“Gaining necessary planning permission is a prerequisite before we can even apply for Welsh Government funding,” said Technical Services Manager at the Housing Department, Dafydd Rowlands.
“We expect the plans to be submitted for planning approval quite soon, which we’re hopeful of securing, but understand it will also be an opportunity for those who oppose the plans to put their views across as well.
“Because it’s commercially sensitive, at this stage we can’t reveal the expected cost of both developments, but we will be applying for Welsh Government funding towards it.”
The insistence that the island must have designated permanent and temporary stopping places is a directive arising from the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, which means councils must meet Travellers’ accommodation needs in their Local Development Plans, drawn up jointly by both Gwynedd and Anglesey councils.
Gwynedd already has its own designated site at Llandygai near Bangor, although it’s expected that Anglesey will also have to formalise plans for an additional stopping site in the Holyhead area over the coming years.
Mr Rowlands added: “Once we have designated sites in place, it will be much easier, by law, to move on those who set up unauthorised encampments.
“We’d also like to confirm that those using the services will also be expected to pay rates, with a pre-pay system for any utilities such as electricity and water, that they use.”
“The discussions we’ve had with those living at the ‘tolerated’ encampment on the A5025 near Pentraeth, have so far been productive.
“The same is the case with the Travellers who, on their way to and from Ireland, currently set up camp at Mona.”
“They have been very welcoming of proposals to set up an authorised camp, and somewhere they know they won’t be put under pressure to vacate.”