THE battle to stop a site for travellers being set up in Abergele is hotting up.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has sent a letter to homes in the town outlining the latest situation and concerns with Conwy’s controversial Local Development Plan (LDP), which has been strongly criticised by residents and councillors.
As well as concerns over housing issues, a new relief road and potential threats to playing fields, the plan has received public opposition especially moves to set up a travellers’ site in the Llanfair Road area.
Mr Millar wrote: “In spite of the overwhelming opposition to proposals for a gypsy/traveller transit site to the east of Abergele, the local authority is still resisting our calls to remove provision for a site from the LDP.”
Earlier this year, residents of the town protested against the proposals outlined in the LDP, with a high number of members of the Abergele community giving representations in the consultation period.
A further period of consultation is now set to be held next year, with Mr Millar believing the LDP would not come into being until 2012.
Cllr Ron Peacock, who represents Gele ward on Conwy County Council, this week vowed to do all he can to prevent it going ahead.
He said: “We do not want travellers here and the issues that go with it. I am still fighting this plan and will do all I can as a councillor to stop it.”
Andrew Mailer, spokesman for the Abergele LDP group, said the town’s fight against the LDP proposals is far from over.
He added: “We urge all interested parties, particularly the residents of Abergele, to be vigilant, and continue to lobby Darren Millar AM, Abergele Town Council, and our local county borough councillors, to reject the existing proposals, and start listening to what the residents of the community actually want.”
A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said a revised deposit LDP was likely to be produced “based on responses” from the public and comments from the Assembly Government.
Information on the LDP process, including the latest newsletter update is available on our website www.conwy.gov.uk/ldp
People can contact the planning policy service by e-mail: cdll.ldp@conwy.gov.uk or telephone (01492) 575461.