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The unauthorised use of a piece of land as a travellers’ site has caused a “lot of headache” for Rhymney residents, a councillor has said.
Planning permission to use the site, at the Former Station House, Rhymney, was turned down by Caerphilly County Borough Council in December 2019.
An appeal to the Welsh Government for the continued use of the site is due to be decided by March 2023.
According to Carl Cuss, councillor for Twyn Carno, the site has caused issues with people in the area.
He said: “The site has caused a lot of headache for people surrounding it.
“The community was quite strong on the fact that…it shouldn’t be there.”
The land has been used since May, 2019. The original planning application, submitted by Ronald Jones, was for five traveller pitches, five mobile homes, and five touring and hardstanding caravans.
Residents and business owners opposed the application on the basis that no licence would have been paid to develop or settle on the land. Development of the site has continued despite Caerphilly County Borough Council refusing permission.
“He’s basically developed the site without planning and even when he was refused planning, he’s still doing stuff on the land.
“So it’s angering residents even more,” said Cllr Cuss of Mr Jones, adding that gravel has been put down on the site and further planning permission was submitted to turn a portacabin at the front of the land into a canteen.
Cllr Cuss thinks the cabin poses a risk to drivers. “It distracts people driving when you’re driving past,” he said, adding that the way it looks is not fitting with the local residential area.
“It just doesn’t seem suitable,” he said.
Caerphilly County Borough Council cited the fact the introduction of caravans, hard surfacing and high fencing would be out of character with the rural surroundings in their overall rejection of planning permission for the site.
There are, however, deeper issues with accommodation access for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
A report published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which was submitted as part of Mr Jones’ planning application, highlights the difficulties faced by the Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The document, published in 2009, cites “insufficient supply of suitable accommodation on the one hand, and the insecurity of unauthorised encampment and developments on the other.”
This in turn leads to further inequalities, such as a lack of access to services etc.
Cllr Cuss, however, suggests rejection of the application was little to do with the fact that Mr Jones is a traveller. “It’s nothing to do fact he’s a traveller,” he said. “It’s about the fact that he’s developed that site without any permission whatsoever.”
The process has also been a long one. “I think, what’s angered residents more is the fact, how long it’s taken from when the decision was made by the council to refuse,” said Cllr Cuss.
Covid, of course, had a part to play in the delay, but it may continue further if the matter needs to be taken to court as Cllr Cuss worries that legal action will need to be taken if Mr Jones is unsuccessful on appeal and refuses to leave the site.
Mr Jones’ agent Simon Ruston was contacted by Caerphilly Observer for comment.
A Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA), which was presented to the council’s cabinet on July 13, stated there was an unmet need for 11 mobile homes in the county borough.
The report presented to the cabinet stated that in future, a regional approach could address the lack of provision.
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