OFFICIALS will face strong opposition from residents if they choose to build a gipsy site on the outskirts of a Newport estate, according to local councillors.

Newport council officers are in the process of identifying suitable residential and transit sites for gipsies and are considering a shortlist of five areas.

They include land near Nash Mead, Queensway Meadows, land at Pound Hill, Marshfield and two sites at Pye Corner.

However, it is the inclusion of a site known as Yew Tree Cottage, on the outskirts of the Bettws estate, that has sparked strong concerns from Bettws Labour councillors Glyn Jarvis and Val Delahaye.

Both said Bettws residents got in touch with them to object to the proposal.

Cllr Glyn Jarvis said: “The Bettws estate is one of the largest and most socially deprived in Europe, and would be completely unsuitable for such a site, especially when you consider the tensions that were experienced recently at Dale Farm.

“There would obviously be strong residential opposition to such a site, and we feel this would make it inappropriate for any travellers to reside here, bearing in mind the wellbeing of both the local community and the travellers themselves.”

Cllr Delahaye added that she agreed with Cllr Jarvis, and said she had received many phone calls on the issue.

Council officers are currently drawing up planning applications, and a spokesman said a full consultation in line with planning laws will be carried out after an application has been made to the council.

The planning committee will consider all submissions and comments made as part of that process before making a decision, he added.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Gipsy site a thorny issue

WE can’t imagine a more difficult task than that faced by Newport council as it looks to create a gipsy site.

Wherever it decides to place one, it will face opposition.

People, quite simply, don’t want it in their back yard.

We are told the council is trying to identify suitable residential and transit sites and are considering a shortlist of five areas.

They include land near Queensway Meadows, Pound Hill, Marshfield and two sites at Pye Corner.

They are also looking at an area called Yew Tree Cottage, on the outskirts of the Bettws estate.

It is this plan that has caused the most outrage, with local councillors already warning of a fight if it goes any further.

Of course, the whole issue of where – or even if – councils should be responsible for gipsies is very much at the forefront of people’s minds with recent events at Dale Farm.

It’s a difficult area.

Residents will not want a gipsy camp anywhere near their homes.

The council will say it has a responsibility to provide one.

Common sense must be the only winner.

It would be sheer madness to put a site anywhere near homes, given the strength of objection it would raise.

The council has a very difficult balancing act to perform in the coming months.

It is essential it gets this project right.