TWO GYPSY SITES PUT FORWARD FOR GREEN LIGHT
Land at Penhesgyn and Star is nominated
A FULL planning application is to be submitted for Anglesey’s first official gypsy and traveller sites.
During a behind-closeddoors discussion of the council’s Executive on Monday morning, it was agreed that plans for a temporary stopping place at Star near Gaerwen and a permanent site at Penhesgyn, near Menai Bridge, can now proceed fully after an initial screening application was lodged earlier this year.
Housing portfolio holder, Cllr Alun Mummery, said: “Like every other local authority in Wales, we are legally obliged to meet the accommodation needs of both Gypsy and Traveller Communities.
“Today’s decision to submit a detailed planning application for both sites comes after months of hard work and represents another important step forward in fulfilling this duty.”
The proposals have not proved to be universally popular however, with significant concerns being raised over the suitability of Penhesgyn - just yards away from one of the island’s two recycling centres.
Residents near Star have also sought a meeting with council officers to explain the plans in more detail, which has also been agreed.
The site at Penhesgyn is earmarked to house “New age travellers” currently living in a makeshift camp on the A5025 near Pentraeth, which has been “tolerated” by council officers for many years.
But while the residents do not currently pay any rent, they will be expected to do so at the new facilities, that will boast four pitches in all.
Anglesey’s Head of Housing Shan Lloyd Williams said: “There are currently no official sites for Gypsies and Travellers on Anglesey. This has led to regular unauthorised encampments, which have caused tensions in local communities and negative perceptions of the Gypsy and Traveller community.
“Public consultations on these proposed sites attracted significant local opposition, but this alone cannot be used as justification for not choosing particular sites.
“In coming to our recommendations, we have tried to balance the County Council’s legal responsibilities under the Housing Act 2014 as well as the needs of local residents.”
According to the authority, both sites have already been the subject of detailed design considerations – including air quality, noise, ecology and flood risk assessments - following a site selection process and public consultation carried out in 2016.
The Star site will be capable of accommodating up to 10 caravans, expected to be used by travellers on their way to and from Ireland.
The planning applications will include a Site Management Strategy, which sets out terms and conditions for both permanent and temporary use of the sites. According to the authority, this would allow them to take enforcement action against any unauthorised encampments elsewhere on the island.
A council spokesman added that Executive members will consider detailed funding for these projects at a later date, if planning permission is approved and a Welsh Government grant towards the cost of the work is authorised.