Almost 300 people braved the cold weather on Saturday to join in a protest march against plans for a gypsy site in a quiet village.
Conwy County Borough Council are proposing to put a gypsy and traveller site on Smithy Layby, St George, but villagers are opposing 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 has called the council’s plans “flawed”, led the protesters on Saturday.
He said:
“I'm delighted that so many people braved the cold weather to march on Saturday. That hundreds of people gave up their Saturday morning to protest at Conwy's plans speaks volumes.
“The Council's decision to press ahead with a gypsy/traveller site in St George is flawed. They have failed to consult with local residents, businesses and the neighbouring local authorities.
“The site location is completely unsuitable and unsafe, it flies in the face of Welsh Government advice. If the site is developed then there will be further strain on local services and the impact of children moving in and out of the local schools regularly will be particularly disruptive.
“Conwy cannot ignore the overwhelming opposition to their plans. They need to go back to the drawing board.”
Conwy County Council are currently undertaking a period of pre-planning application consultation and responses to the consultation must be submitted by 4.45pm this Friday (February 6th ) by either emailing to Cdll.ldp@conwy.gov.uk<mailto:Cdll.ldp@conwy.gov.uk> or by posting to: Strategic Planning Policy Service, Muriau Building, Rosehill Street, Conwy, LL32 8LD. More information can be found on the link below which leads to Conwy’s website: http://www.conwy.gov.uk/section.asp?cat=11750&Language=1
Councillor Tim Rowlands, chairman of the St George Gypsy Traveller Group, is urging residents to make their views known:
He said:
“The Smithy Layby in St George is not the right location for this site. It's important that as many people as possible make their views known to Conwy County Borough Council by the deadline date on Friday.”
Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar leads the protest march against a gypsy/traveller site in St George.