Heartbreaking news from South Wales as five Traveller families, including children and individuals battling illnesses, face the prospect of homelessness. After living peacefully for six years at a site in Blaenau Gwent, councillors have refused a planning application that sought to extend the site. The refusal comes amid a dire shortage of suitable accommodations for Gypsy and Traveller communities in the region.
During a tense council meeting, it was revealed that a new planning application, lodged to formally recognise and extend the existing site, was turned down due to highway safety concerns. The council argues that the road leading to the site is substandard – narrow with inadequate lighting and footpaths – raising fears about increased traffic.
Despite acknowledging the urgent need for more pitches, with an assessed requirement for eight additional ones, the council deemed the Blaina location unsuitable. Planning development officials cited serious safety issues related to potential traffic congestion as the deciding factor in refusing the application.
The Travellers’ advocate, Lynne Garnett, passionately challenged this decision, urging the council to reconsider. She highlighted the fact that no accidents have been recorded on the disputed road and dismissed the highway safety concerns as exaggerated. “This authority cannot offer these people anywhere to go,” she stressed, pointing out the vulnerability of these families, which include six children and people with health issues like COPD and cancer remission.
Some councillors expressed a desire to help and suggested a temporary three-year approval to allow for improvements. Nevertheless, the majority sided with the planning officers’ recommendation, leading to the unanimous rejection of the application.
The struggle of the Travellers echoes a wider crisis, with various council regions across Wales grappling with inadequate accommodation provisions. Let’s hope for a resolution that values both safety and the pressing need for secure homes for these families.
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