Concerns have been raised over potential landslides following the excavation of tons of earth from a hillside without clear safety measures in place. The excavation started last week by a traveller group at Nantyglo Rugby Club in Blaenau Gwent. The land had recently been purchased by the group, but no planning permission for a change of use had been sought. Locals claimed they had been intimidated by those working there.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that there had been no safety measures, and a lot of ground had been taken away which supports the busy road above. The council is investigating the situation. The owner of the site claimed the land would be used for grazing horses, but he did not deny the possibility of turning it into a settlement in the future.
Some residents criticized the excavation, claiming it would destabilize the land’s structure, road, and buildings. The excavation could devalue their houses. The land was protected by a covenant and could be used only to graze livestock, according to Yvonne Bell, a resident whose house backs on the site. The excavators initially claimed they were widening the path for horse boxes.
As locals started an online petition calling for the council to halt work, a counter-petition was initiated by someone from the traveller group. “Our family and kids need somewhere to live, to raise our family. Council is not providing us with the right needs so we are doing our own property up which we are entitled to do,” the counter-petition read. The council confirmed it had been made aware of the development and was looking into it along with all associated issues.
Residents are fearful and outraged by the excavation carried out by the traveller group at Nantyglo Rugby Club. The excavation started last week, without clear safety measures in place. The council is investigating, but the group claimed that the land would be used for grazing horses despite the absence of planning permission. Some locals have started an online petition to prevent further excavation, while others support the travellers’ right to build a settlement. However, the land had a covenant to limit its use for grazing livestock. The excavation has led to worries of landslides, devaluation of properties, and destabilization of the area’s structure
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More