Concerns at packed meeting over proposed Newport Gipsy sites (From South Wales Argus)

Concerns at packed meeting over proposed Newport Gipsy sites

5:00pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in News By David Deans - Politics reporter

RESIDENTS have been urged to act on their concerns over proposals for Gipsy sites in the east of Newport.

More than 700 people attended the event at a conference suite at the city’s Hilton Hotel on Friday night, organised by local councillors, but hundreds more were unable to get in and were turned away.

Residents heard concerns over four sites based in or around Langstone - part of a list of 11 being consulted on by Newport council.

An action group has been established and at least 300 people have signed a petition over the issue.

They were called to write letters to the council outlining reasons to object, with people worried about proposals for sites at Old Chepstow Road, Magor Road, near the A449 and near Llanmartin Primary School.

It was argued that facilities in Langstone are non-existent with “principle” shops miles away and that the Old Chepstow Road site is used as a flood plain. One resident said the road alongside Llanmartin School was “full of potholes”.

Helen Beveridge, of Langstone, won a round of applause when she asked: “Wouldn’t anybody mind joining me in stopping their direct debit [for council tax] forthwith?”

Meeting chairman Peter Morgan said that could be “creating a rod for our own backs.”

Another meeting over the issue will take place at Underwood Leisure Centre on Friday at 7pm.