Big turnout for anti gypsy site near national treasure:
Outrage at gypsy site bid near historic Faenol
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a gypsy site opposite the entrance to a historic estate in Gwynedd were slammed by community leaders.
A fiery public meeting at the Memorial Hall saw Felinheli community councillors oppose the plans put forward by gypsy Tony Riley to put eight caravans on his own land in a compound in Coed Fodol, near Bangor.
Over 30 residents aired their concerns regarding sewage, waste, traffic, danger to wildlife and road safety on the entrance to the site between the busy A487 and B4547 roads, near the iconic Faenol estate.
The scheme is thought to be the first of its kind put forward by a private individual.
Normally they are put forward by councils who specifi- cally designate areas for travellers to set up on.
But there is currently only one camp available, in nearby Llandygai.
Community council vice chairman Daniel Williams described the plans as “confusing” and “inconsistent” and said a similar application for a caravan site or houses would be refused.
Felinheli councillor Sian Gwenllian said: “The site is outside the local development boundaries for Pentir and Felinheli.
“The plans are contrary to council planning policy CH16 and CH17 involving gypsy sites as this site is obviously permanent as it even states in the application and for that reason should be refused.
“There is also the question of if there is really a need for such a site, as there is already one in Gwynedd.
“We are also concerned about the effect the proposals
Cllr Sian Gwenllian
will have on historic landscape which the Faenol estate comes under, contrary to planning policies B10 and B12.
“Finally, we have concerns about flooding, sewerage, traffic and wildlife, especially otters on the site potentially mixing with dogs.
“It has to be made clear though that the application isn’t about who but what.
One resident at the meeting said: “Traffic comes very quickly and as walking pedestrians, it is very difficult to cross the road because of the speed of traffic.
“We have seen cars coming off the roundabout too fast.”
Another added: “I’m not sure how sites like this are run but somebody has to control who is coming in. “Surely as it’s a private individual who has made this application, the decision lies with the private person.
“Therefore demand has no relevance here.”
The project would include building an access road, track and bridge, a toilet block and bin store, as well as drainage, waste treatment works and landscaping being carried out.
In his application, dad-offour Mr Riley, 41, said: “There are currently long waiting lists for the site in Bangor, and as there are no plans to expand or create further sites, that means there is no possibility of satisfying the demand.”
Mr Riley added that all local authorities will need to provide facilities for travellers by 2016 and that the wind uprooted the trees on the site.
He also said a flood assessment has taken place backed by Natural Resources Wales and that a treatment plant will deal with sewage.
His agent Neil Williams said: “This is the first time as I understand it for a member of the gypsy community to make an application.
“They are now living on the site at Llandygai, Bangor. He’s a local man. He’s a nice man. He bought the site about a year ago.”
A number of letters of protest have been sent to Gwynedd Council over the proposed compound.
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “The council has received a planning application for a permanent site at Coed Fodol, Y Felinheli.
“No date has been set for presenting the application to committee at present.
“Every planning application is considered on its individual merits and objections presented are considered as part of this process.
“The Council considers all planning applications in accordance with the relevant local and national planning policies.”
A three-week consultation period giving residents a chance to voice their views on the blueprint will end a week today ( January 14).
Planners will discuss the application in March.
“This site is obviously permanent - for that reason it should be refused”