Prestatyn mayor criticised for missing Gypsy & Traveller site meeting

Cllr Anton Sampson (Prestatyn North), the only Denbighshire County Council cabinet member from Prestatyn, was absent from Tuesday’s (October 20) meeting, as he was said to be representing Prestatyn at a “Britain in Bloom” event in Rochdale.

Cabinet members voted 5-2 in favour of submitting an application for a change of use at 42 and 42a Marine Road, and to create a new access route off Caradoc Road.

But Cllr Jason McLellan, who resigned as council leader in August and who also represents Prestatyn North, said: “This has been an important conversation for Prestatyn councillors.

"I’m really disappointed that the one cabinet member from Prestatyn chooses to go to an event around Prestatyn in Bloom. As a councillor in Prestatyn, I know that's important, but he should be here. That's what he's getting paid for.

“Going off to a flower event is not acceptable to the rate payer.”

Jason McLellan (Image: Submitted)

Attempts have been made to contact Cllr Sampson for a response.

Tuesday’s meeting followed councillors voting for a review of the decision made by head of housing and communities, Heidi McDougall, to submit the application herself in July.

The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for Denbighshire, approved by Welsh Government in May 2024, identified an immediate need for 14 pitches, linked to three family groups.

The Marine Road site does not have permission for residential use, so a successful change of use planning application is required for it to become the family’s home.

A ‘task and finish group’ was set up by the council to identify a suitable permanent home for this family.

Ms McDougall said at Tuesday’s meeting that the Marine Road site was deemed the “only suitable site” for a permanent home in Prestatyn for the family, with all council-owned land in the town having been considered.

In total, four caravans would be based on the site – where the family has lived for the last two years - if the planning application is approved.

The family in question were described as Welsh speakers and residents of Prestatyn for 13 years, with an ‘established’ business in the town.

Some of the children in the family were said to have additional needs – in this regard, the council said the proposal “supports the need of as little disruption to their family life and education provision as possible”.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, deputy leader of the council and representative of the Ruthin ward, asked Ms McDougall about the £48,000 which it is estimated that submitting the planning application will cost.

“It seems rather excessive… that’s a lot of money,” he said.

Ms McDougall replied: “The fees are made up of planning design fees, which is done internally by our design and construction team.

“They would project-manage this, and support us to progress this planning application.

“If we weren’t using that internal service we’d have to procure support, probably externally, from an agent.

“The consultant fees relate to the three surveys which we have to have done on the site to enable us to submit a planning application.

“We do have the ability to apply for a capital grant from Welsh Government to look to develop the site. We have meetings scheduled in the diary to explore that possibility, and how much is available.”