Conwy County Borough Council has confirmed that it will not be pressing ahead with plans to establish a gypsy/traveller site in St George, near Abergele, at this time.
The council were proposing to put a gypsy/traveller site on Smithy Layby, but villagers opposed the plans on safety grounds due to its proximity to the A55 and the pressure it would put on local services such as additional school places for extra children.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, who held a public meeting in St George and led protesters in a march against the proposals earlier this year, has welcomed the news.
He said:
“I am absolutely delighted that that following an overwhelming response during the consultation period, and a delay in securing funding for the Smithy Layby site, Conwy County Borough Council has now confirmed that it does not intend to proceed with plans to establish a gypsy/traveller site in St George at this time.
“As I said from the start, the site location was completely unsuitable and unsafe and the Council's decision to press ahead with a site there was flawed. They failed to consult with local residents, businesses and the neighbouring local authorities.
“The local authority has now received a further Welsh Government requirement to prepare an updated Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment over the course of the next 12 months and the Council is now engaging with Denbighshire to consider a joint approach to site provision. As part of its work the Council is planning to conduct a further public call for alternative sites in addition to those previously considered.”
Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar leading the February protest march against a gypsy/traveller site in St George