GYPSY SITE TO GO AHEAD ON CASTING VOTE
Controversial site ‘will look like prison’ claim
PLANS for Anglesey’s first gypsy and traveller site have been approved thanks to the casting vote of the planning committee chair, following deadlock in the council chamber.
The 10-berth camp – which has been dubbed “Guantana-Mon Bay” due to the large fence around the site – will be built on land between the A5 and A55 at Star near Gaerwen.
All councils in Wales are required to create official sites for gypsies and travellers, with Anglesey currently falling foul of the legislation.
Members of the council’s planning committee had been asked to reconsider after a month’s “cooling off” period, having turned down the plans in September. Then they had cited concerns that the land was “unsuitable, wet and dangerous” with additional fears that the proposed 2.4 metre fence could impact on tourism.
Among those speaking against the application was local member and housing portfolio holder Cllr Alun Mummery, who said the site was wholly unsuitable.
“The local community was pleased that you listened last time and that common sense prevailed,” he said. “I urge you to stick to your guns and refuse this, allowing officers to go back and come up with a better plan.”
Fellow local member Cllr Meirion Jones added: “Local people have said all along this site isn’t fit for anyone to live. Nothing’s changed since you turned down the plans last month.
“The site will look like a prison and the noise levels are above the WHO’s guidelines. I refuse to be kept quiet on such an important matter and the site isn’t sustainable. I urge you to turn this down.”
But planning officers argued that “upon balance”, there were no planning reasons to turn it down - a view shared by Cllr Ken Hughes, who said: “Some coun- cillors are thinking of every excuse under the sun to turn this down, be they planning considerations or not. I can’t see any planning reason to turn this down.”
Cllr Bryan Owen also raised concerns over road safety, claiming the site’s location “sandwiched” between the A5 and A55 meant it “would be an accident waiting to happen”.
Councillors were deadlocked at five votes apiece.The casting vote of committee chair Cllr Nicola Roberts saw the authority’s application approved.
This was met with shouting from the public gallery with one man shouting that the site would resemble “a concentration camp”.
While parts of the “tolerated site” on the Mona industrial estate have traditionally been used by travellers on their way to and from Ireland, the recent sale of that land means this is no longer an option.
Anglesey Council says those at the site will be expected to pay rates and rent, with Welsh Government funding sought to help pay for the development.
A spokesman for the authority said: “Anglesey Council is legal- ly required to assess and meet accommodation needs of the population.
“This includes the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community and of travelling show people.
“The Temporary Stopping Place is intended to provide short term accommodation for a maximum of 2-3 weeks at a time.””