Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Housing Services in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that the Welsh Government places a statutory duty on local authorities to identify both a permanent and two temporary sites to be included in the Joint Local Development Plan as candidate sites.   He noted that there has been a period of consultation with regard to the three sites identified which incorporated Drop-in events and meetings with the Community Councils for the locations where sites could be situated. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) explained that the need for a Temporary Stopping Place on the Island of Anglesey was clear, and that this had been demonstrated by regular unauthorised encampments by Romany Gypsies on Anglesey over many years.  She stated that three sites were considered :-

Site 1 – Strip of land between the A55/A5 between Llanfairpwll and Star Crossroads;

Site 2 – Parcel of land at Gaerwen smallholding;

Site 3 – Land adjacent to the A5 near Cymunod Farm, Bryngwran

She noted that following extensive consultation, as noted by the Portfolio Holder, it was considered that the site identified in Bryngwran was unsuitable due to unsurmountable issues raised by the Highways Authority regarding the access to the site not meeting the minimum visibility safety requirements.  Sites 1 and 2 remained for consideration as temporary stopping places for Gypsies and Travellers.  There are fewer technical concerns regarding the site at Star Crossroads, with the report received from the Gwynedd Archaeological Service raising questions about the suitability of the site in Gaerwen, which may take time to resolve.  However, she stated that if it considered that the Gaerwen site is to be further investigated further works would be needed in relation to the site with regard to archaeological issues linked to ancient monument considerations.  A risk assessment will need to be undertaken with regard to technical issues, design of the sites and health and safety issues for both sites.  An appropriate Consultant will need to be appointed to prepare site design to allow for costing for such a scheme, and this would enable costs to be calculated.  She noted that it will be easier to deliver a suitable site in Star within a reasonable time-scale, but that further studies could be undertaken on either or both sites in Star and Gaerwen, and that the decision is one for the Executive to take.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) further stated that discussions has been undertaken with Officers from the Planning and Housing Departments of Welsh Government; they are aware of the work that has been undertaken to identify suitable sites for Temporary Stopping Places, and they are aware that further work will need to be undertaken to confirm the suitability of either Star or Gaerwen before they can be included within the Joint Local Development Plan; it is understood that the progress so far is supported by Welsh Government.

It was stated that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 19 July, 2016, with an invitation to all Members of the County Council to attend, discuss the reports on the temporary stopping places.  The Chair invited the Vice-Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to address the meeting. Councillor Alun Mummery referred to the recommendations of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to the Executive.

Councillor R. Meirion Jones who had requested to address the Executive as a Local Member for the Aethwy area which includes the Star area stated that whilst accepting that a temporary site of Gypsy and Travelers is required he considered that the County Council has not followed guidelines to identify such a site.  He referred to the Star Crossroads site and stated that there has been no commercial assessment, risk or health and safety assessment carried out.  No costings or definition of the scoring matrix to identify a site has been afforded.  Councillor Jones considered that there are anomalies within the report to the Committee.  He considered that the Executive have not been afforded all the information to make a decision to identify a temporary stopping place for gypsy’s and travelers.  Councillor Jones stated that the residents of Star and Penmynydd consider their observations on the proposed sites has not been considered; no public meetings nor drop-in sessions has been arranged by the County Council within these areas with regard to this matter.  A public meeting was arranged by the Community Council and Councillor Jones as a Local Member.  At that meeting the local residents raised concerns with regard to the shortcoming of the Star Crossroads site.  He referred to comments made regarding potential flooding issues, health and safety, the effect on tourism in the area.  The villages of Star and Penmynydd will face the prospect of having two sites for Gypsy’s and Travelers within their communities.  He further stated that the correspondence sent by the Penmynydd Community Council was not contained within the documentation to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 19^th July.   

Councillor T.V. Hughes who had requested to address the Executive as a Local Member for the Bro Rhosyr area which includes the Gaerwen area stated that the Llanfihangelesceifiog Community Council have expressed concerned with regard to the access from the A55 and the scoring matrix with regard to the identified Gypsy and Travelers site at Gaerwen.    It is considered that a temporary site would be more acceptable near the permanent site identified in Penhesgyn.  Comments have been expressed regarding potential flooding issues and the loss of quality agricultural land together with archaeological issues at the Gaerwen site.  Councillor Hughes referred to concerns raised regarding the effect on the Science Park and especially having to attract businesses to the site.  M-Sparc, the owners of the Science Park site, initially wished for the park to be accessible to the local community with the construction of footpaths and community garden; it was considered that they might withdraw from allowing community use of the park.

Members of the Executive whilst accepting there are concerns within the Island with regard to having Gypsy and Travellers sites, the Welsh Government places a statutory duty on local authorities to address a need identified in the Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment (which identifies a need for both a permanent and two temporary stopping sites), and that the Joint Local Development Plan demonstrates how that need will be addressed.  The Executive considered that there are fewer economic development and technical concerns regarding the site at Star Crossroads.

RESOLVED :-

·           That the County Council should carry out further investigations into Site 1, Strip of land between A55/A5 between Llanfairpwll and Star Crossroads to confirm suitability with regard to further assessment of any safety or technical risks posed by the site, and to consider whether the site design can resolved these issues;

·           To appoint an appropriate Consultant to prepare site design and to submit the requisite Planning Application for the selected site;

·           That Site 2, Parcel of land at Gaerwen smallholding should not be taken forward at this stage due to the concerns of the Gwynedd Archaeological Planning Services with regard to the impact on an ancient monument which is an area of national archaeological importance together with possible impact on the Science Park that is being developed at Gaerwen;

·           That Site 3, Land adjacent to the A5 near Cymunod Farm, Bryngwran should not be taken forward due to road safety issues identified by the necessity to create a new access to the site from the A5;

·           The County Council should continue to fulfil its role to promote community cohesion.  This must balance the needs of residents to feel safe and to be consulted on development issues with the recognition that the Council has legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.