A couple who spent three years searching for a suitable home for their severely disabled daughter say their dreams have now been shattered by plans for a gypsy and travellers’ site next door.
Andrew and Leanne Groves were delighted when a land search revealed that the land around their chosen property was classed as farm fields with no other proposed use for the next 10 years.
But they say that Denbighshire County Council’s plans for the site at Green Gates, on the outskirts of St Asaph, could have a devastating effect on eight-year-old Isabella who suffers from Pitt Hopkins Syndrome.
Only a handful of children in the UK suffer from the genetic condition, which means she is unable to talk and has severe learning difficulties. Her mobility is also very limited.
“We needed somewhere where we felt we could manage her, somewhere quiet, because she screams and can’t cope with loud noises such as dogs barking or lorries’ hydraulic brakes,” said Leanne, a nurse at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
“She is a vulnerable child needing 24-hour care and she will be a vulnerable adult.
“I am absolutely terrified of what could happen if this proposal goes ahead. I am not a racist in any way but don’t see how this development would benefit the local community.”
The county council has earmarked the site for five or six pitches for travellers and a separate area for an extended family of gypsies, and is currently carrying out a pre-planning consultation.
But there is very strong opposition from the local community, with 1,200 having already signed an on-line petition and a separate paper petition also circulating.
Leanne has established a Facebook group called Residents Against Inappropriate Developments St Asaph (RAIDS) which is working closely with the city council in organizing the protest.
The council has circulated 2,000 flyers to every household and business in the city and surrounding villages and has erected banners around the city.
On November 8 a public meeting will be held in Theatr Elwy, at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, and the council has also engaged an independent planning consultant .
“If we are to stop this scheme we must do so on valid planning grounds and not on emotive issues,” said Mayor Cllr Colin Hardie. “We just do not think it will be a good thing for the community and because of the extra pressure it will put on schools and GP surgeries.”
He said the city council was angry that Denbighshire had not given them notice of its intention to earmark the site.
A county council spokesman said that all comments received through the formal consultation would be considered in due course.
