Objectors against plans for Gypsy and Traveller site in St Asaph accused of being “fixated on stereotypes”

Campaigners for Gypsy and Traveller communities say objectors to six pitches planned in Denbighshire are fixated on stereotypes.

Land at Cwttir Lane, formerly part of Green Gates Farm, has been earmarked for one family. The plan goes in front of Denbighshire council’s planning committee tomorrow.

It will include three semi‐detached blocks with associated hardstanding access road and landscaping.

There have been 1,712 objections to the site with 168 rejected. Of those 71 contained unacceptable comments according the council.

A campaign group, Businesses and Residents Against Inappropriate Development St Asaph (BRAIDS), has fought against the scheme.

Members have promised to be out in force for the planning meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and have garnered plenty of column inches.

BRAIDS says the development is outside the Local Development Plan (LDP) area and the council has ignored its own planning policies to get the development through,  a charge it rejects.

However an advocate for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families in Wales believes people have forgotten there is a family at the centre of this planning application.

Trudy Aspinwall, of Travelling Ahead, will speak in favour of the application at the meeting on Wednesday.

She said: “Let’s face it all of the concerns about this site are based on stereotypes – the idea that there may be a family at the centre of this doesn’t seem to have crossed the objectors minds.

“The level of discriminatory comments, the social media activity and the huge number of ‘protestors’ as you can imagine does not give families confidence; this level of opposition also fuels wider hate speech and negative attitudes.

“The Gypsy and Traveller communities across Wales  are only too aware of the opposition to sites – families may be fearful of identifying, fearful for their safety  and in particular fearful for their children’s well-being and safety.”

She said an historic lack of Gypsy and Traveller sites, with places blocked off or closed, meant it was more crucial than ever to find secure, appropriate accommodation.

Ms Aspinwall said families without a legal home cannot access local services such as schools and healthcare .

She believes “discrimination and negative stereotyping” made councils avoid the issue. It’s this, she says, that forced Welsh Government to legislate for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Councils have a duty to find public sites or work with families to develop accommodation on their own land.  This development, she says, satisfies that legal right.

She said: “Denbighshire has no provision for Gypsy or Traveller families who reside or have a link with the county. Its Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment identified a clear need.”

Ms Aspinwall said she was unaware why protestors thought the authority had done something wrong planning-wise, adding it appeared to have “taken a great deal of care over getting this process right”.

She said: “Sadly this level of opposition is not uncommon when sites are being discussed.

“However the size and number of objectors  is disproportionate to what is a small local development for members of one family.

“This will be their home. They and their children are entitled to a home just as other families are.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter