Prop Samson Lee submits plans for traveller vans site
WALES prop and “proud traveller” Samson Lee has applied to his local council to put six static caravans on land near Llanelli.
The Scarlets rugby player wants to move himself and his family to land near Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, next to the A4138.
The proposal seeks a change of use of land for the stationing of up to six caravans for residential purposes, including the creation of an access road and landscaping.
Carmarthenshire councillors yesterday deferred the application for a site visit first.
JCR Planning has submitted the proposal on Mr Lee’s behalf and has stated that the proposed plans will “provide separate accommodation for one travelling family group, which has long-standing, close, multi-generation links to Llanelli.
“The family wishes to continue with the traveller way of life, but on a private site.”
Llangennech county councillor Gwyneth Thomas has objected to the application as the council previously deemed the site unsuitable. She claims traffic in the area has increased since that decision.
She added: “The local authority housing department, after careful consideration, decided against the possibility of providing a traveller site at Gypsy Lane as the county council highways department considered the Gypsy Lane / A4138 junction to be substandard and dangerous considering the volume of traffic travelling along the A4138.
“If it was considered unsuitable two years ago, how can it possibly be suitable now? What has improved? Nothing! It is true to say that the volume of traffic has increased over the past two years, making the above proposal even less suitable.
“Highway safety is of paramount importance; there has already been a fatality along this stretch of road and allowing this proposal to go ahead would, I believe, be very irresponsible indeed.”
Other residents have also voiced concerns, arguing the site is very close to what they say is a “treacherous” part of the main road.
Kate Reed wrote: “The safety of my children and the children of these travellers is at the fore of my mind, not forgetting there are no pedestrian crossings. [For] these children taking themselves and bikes into the village will mean crossing this treacherous section of the A4138.”
Residents Mr and Mrs Cullimore-Pike added: “Increased use of this junction will only bring about further congestion, and with it greater potential for a fatal accident.”
The council’s head of transport and housing, Robin Staines, said in the report, however: “The proposal will assist in meeting the identified need for additional gypsy and traveller sites in the county.”