The group of travellers encamped on Stalling Down Common near Cowbridge have told local representatives that they will defy a council notice requiring them to leave by Tuesday 2nd of August. Vale MP Alun Cairns and Vale-based AM Andrew RT Davies confronted the travelling group on Monday, only hours after the Council’s notice was issued.
The travellers told Mr Cairns and Mr Davies that they were staying put for the time-being, and had no plans to leave until after this weekend. The group, who were last camped at a large gypsy religious festival in Carmarthenshire, have had their ten caravans on the Common since Thursday last week.
The MP and AM have expressed concern that it took the Vale Council until Monday to issue the travellers with a notice, at least four full days after they had first arrived. The representatives have drawn contrast with Cardiff Council’s swift removal of another group of travellers in the capital last week. Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina was cleared only 27 hours after the encampment had been established.
Alun Cairns said, “I am disappointed that yet another illegal occupation has taken place on this site – one of the most picturesque in the Vale. This group must be removed and barriers installed to prevent further incursions.
“I had hoped that after protracted traveller occupations in Dinas Powys and Barry Island our local authority might have learned from their colleagues in Cardiff and taken swifter, more decisive action to remove these unauthorised encampments.
“There is a real risk that the Vale could be seen to be a soft touch on unauthorised travellers if tougher action is not taken – endangering all local communities adjacent to playing fields or common land.”
Vale AM Andrew RT Davies added, “Vale resident and South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, had called for the authority to act quickly.
“This is not the first time the area has been subject to an illegal encampment,” he said.
“People are disappointed that a group of travellers have come back. It’s concerning especially as this a bigger group than before. The Vale of Glamorgan Council have responsibility to remove them.”
The Vale of Glamorgan Council had been accused of ‘lethargy’ and ‘hand-wringing’ by local Conservatives during the nearly two-week long occupation of Bryn-Y-Don playing fields in Dinas Powys last Summer and the occupation of Nells Point on Barry Island earlier this year.