1,000 protestors join forces to campaign against Gorseinon becoming home to a Gypsy and traveller site
MORE THAN 1,000 protesters held their placards high to campaign against Gorseinon becoming home to a Gypsy and travellers' site.
They met to show their support to a residents group set up to lobby the council.
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Gorseinon residents at the protest meeting about the proposed travellers’ site in Gorseinon
Consultation about the home of a second permanent travellers' site in the city opened last year.
The existing official site is full and five potential sites — including two in Gorseinon — are being considered by the council.
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Organiser Helen Davies thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting their protest.
She said the group's opposition wasn't against the land being used as a travellers' site but that it would be built on the town's only remaining green space.
The proposed sites are either side of Heol y Mynydd, one on Melin Mynach and the other on land on the opposite side of the road on land earmarked for a cemetery.
"Melin Mynach is a growing park with a growing heritage and a natural habitat for flora and fauna. It's one of the last remaining green spaces," she said.
She said an expert was being brought in to check if red kites were breeding in the area and that they were looking into obtaining village green status for the land which would mean putting a proposal to Swansea Council.
Petitions were also handed around the crowd.
She said: "We're still in the consultation period. It is very important that everybody who's got an opinion, whether that's a positive or a negative one about setting up travellers sites, needs to make it known. That opinion is important.
"It's taken something slightly negative to bring the community together, whether we win or lose I'd like to see this community stick together," she added.
She said they were united as a community to "save our land, save our green spaces, save Melin Mynach and to save the cemetery".
Jacqueline Holmes, a resident of 50 years, said: "It's a lovely area. It's overpopulated now — as it stands you can't drive into Gorseinon at 4.30pm."
Other residents expressed concerns if the site was chosen there could be animosity between the travellers and existing residents.
Families were among the protesters, many who use the green land or children who use it during school time.
Jamie Thomas said: "We, as a family, use this area for anything from our youngest learning to ride her bike to playing here or having a picnic.
"We want to keep it like that. A lot of these people here use it."
David Jenkins said he thought the plans were too close to residential areas.
"It would just upset the whole area," he said.
Resident Elizabeth Weeks added: "This has been here for 20 years. It's been an Eisteddfod field, used by the school and for us to walk our dogs. We want to keep it as somewhere we can all go."
6 Comments
by gorseboy
Monday, March 18 2013, 5:50PM
“Local Observer
Yes there are houses in Ystrad Road,but none are as close as the two sites in Gorseinon.
You say the Swansea West Industrial Park formerly Fforestfach Trading Estate is fighting to survive and prosper? Apart from a Gym.and small office take=up I cannot recall a manufacturing employer being set up in recent years.The factories that used to be in the immediate area have long gone and the units empty and decaying.”
by JerryLew
Monday, March 18 2013, 2:20PM
“So Swansea Council are seriously looking at putting a gypsy site near one of the largest inward investments for a long time in Gorseinon. 3M are running down - Gorseinon needs Toyoda. What Gorseinon does NOT need are extra takeaway outlets and charity shops. Gorseinon also does not need another supermarket chain - but it is getting one anyway.
But more than anything Gorseinon does not need a gypsy site. Even still being talked about will be affecting Toyoda future decisions - remember Japanese companies plan well ahead.
Personally I do not support any site - think we would be better without these tax evading vagrants in our Country.”
by williamwaun
Monday, March 18 2013, 2:08PM
“Lets hope the council listens to the people and don't let them near the area. I pay over £1000 a year for council tax, these people are not willing to pay a penny. Keep them out”
by LocalObserver
Monday, March 18 2013, 1:43PM
“To gorseboy:
If you walked along Ystrad Road you would realise that the residential properties start just a short distance from the dog track. Also the trading estate is not semi-derelict but fighting to survive and prosper. Suggesting the use of one proposed site over another is far from helpful.”
by gorseboy
Monday, March 18 2013, 1:17PM
“Swansea City fathers couldn't give a monkey's uncle for Gorseinon!
Provided the site is not in West Swansea,they don't give a damn.One site suggested is the old Greyhound track.
This would be ideal as mains utilities are all on site AND it is not surrounded by residential buildings but by semi-derelict factory units.
Alternatively why not make the unofficial site official as it is doubtful they would move from there without a fight.”
by Dan01
Monday, March 18 2013, 12:00PM
“I don't live in gorseinon but know the sites well. It seems ridiculous that these sites have even appeared on any possible list for travellers. One has developed naturally over the years into a peoples park, - I cross it often on my walks,- its a fine piece of open land perfect for the recreational uses it is currently enjoys. The other, long designated as a much needed cemetery location, is going to be needed for that purpose. Both sites adjoin residential streets. I don't think there would be any "living happily ever after" at either site for residents or travellers.”