Residents are being urged to have their say as the deadline looms for views on proposed gypsy traveller sites in Monmouthshire.
A six-week consultation is underway to gather feedback on including three pieces of land identified by Monmouthshire County Council as potentially suitable for gypsy and traveller site use in the replacement local development plan (RLDP) it is currently drawing up.
The earmarked sites are a field behind Langley Close in Magor and two sites – Bradbury Farm and Oak Grove Farm - described as being in Crick, near Caldicot.
However, the proposed Bradbury Farm site will be located on the northern perimeter of the farm in the Portskewett ward - while the Oak Grove Farm site is situated on land alongside Severn Farm in Leechpool, Portskewett.
Monmouth MP David Davies, who has criticised the council for its handling of the process so far, said the public needed to be “fully aware” of the consultation and what was being planned.
“The location of authorised and unauthorised traveller sites is a legitimate matter for public debate and scrutiny, which is why it is so important for residents to know about this consultation and make sure they have their say,” said Mr Davies.
“There is a great deal of local concern about the suitability of the three sites in question. Langley Close, which is next to the M4, has been questioned by both the public and councillors about the health impacts of potential air pollution. It is also very close to existing homes.
“Indeed, feedback from the gypsy traveller community was they did not wish to be sited in close proximity to built-up areas.”
Mr Davies said there were already well-founded overdevelopment concerns in the Severnside corner of Monmouthshire, especially as an area the council has dubbed Caldicot East – which also encompasses the adjoining village of Portskewett – could see up to 2,609 new homes built by 2033.
He added: “The sites proposed at Bradbury Farm and Oak Grove Farm are inappropriate due to the volume of houses that have already been built and the 750 to 1,400 houses Portskewett could be allocated in the future, risking its identity as a village. It’s all too much in an area that is becoming overdeveloped.”
Portskewett councillor Lisa Dymock, who has registered an e-petition with Monmouthshire County Council calling on the sites to be withdrawn, said she was particularly worried about road safety.
“The two locations in Portskewett are located on 50mph roads with blind bends. The B4245 is dangerous to pull out on, let alone walk along,” she said.
“I do not think they are suitable for the gypsy traveller community or for development of any kind. There are no safe routes to access local amenities and children will not be able to safely walk to school.”
The consultation is due to run until Friday 22 December 2023 and responses can be submitted at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/housing/gypsy-and-travellers/gypsy-and-traveller-sites-consultation