Residents living near an illegal caravan site are being reassured that action continues to be taken to tackle the planning breach.
Bridgend County Borough Council are considering what further action they can do to tackle the illegal residency of a group in Rhiwceiliog, Pencoed.
In August 2021 the local authority successfully prosecuted eight defendants at Cardiff Magistrate's Court, following unauthorised residency on land in Rhiwceiliog.
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Coleen Price, Henry Price, Hendry Price, Teona Price, Margaret Price, Tom Roberts, Amy Preece and Danny Preece were the eight charged with failing to comply with a Stop Notice concerning two unauthorised Gypsy pitches on the land.
The court cases followed earlier decisions of the council to refuse planning permission for two pitches comprising static caravans, touring caravans, day rooms and associated areas and drainage works on two sites on the northern and southern side of Church Street.
One defendant entered a guilty plea and the remaining defendants were found guilty. They were collectively fined and ordered to pay over £5,500 but caravans and other structures remain on both sites.
It is understood planning appeals have been submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales against the refusals of planning permission with the appeal process due to start in the next few weeks.
As part of the appeal process, residents that made representations at the application stage will be notified to offer them the opportunity to make further comments. An independent planning inspector will consider the appeals and any evidence or comments submitted and make a decision.
Meanwhile, the local authority is considering what further action can be undertaken on the illegal caravan site.
As part of the council's Local Development Plan (LDP), accommodation needs for Gypsies and Travellers have been identified in the draft, with two sites marked as potential locations.
The two sites have been identified in Bryncethin and Court Colman.
Councillor Stuart Baldwin, cabinet member for communities, said: “We are working tirelessly to resolve the planning issues as quickly as possible.
“We are also exploring potential locations for accommodating the needs of Gypsy and Traveller families as outlined in the replacement LDP.
“Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, councils are legally required to undertake accommodation assessments for Gypsies and Travellers. This places a duty on the council to meet identified needs for pitches, while national planning policy in Wales requires councils to ensure that appropriate sites are provided through the LDP where there is a recognised need.”
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