AN ASSEMBLY member has blasted the Vale council after it emerged a letter has been sent to travellers camped illegally in Sully saying no enforcement action will be taken against them for five years.

South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies criticised the council for proposing a toleration of the former civic amenity site on Hayes Road, where travellers have already been camped since 2012 - much to the dismay of local councillors and residents.

Just last week the Penarth Times reported how there had been fresh calls for the travellers to be moved on, after a decision by Welsh Government planning inspector Richard Jenkins earlier this year, which ruled the site is 'unsound' for occupation.

But a letter - seen by the Penarth Times this week - from the Vale's head of regeneration and planning, Marcus Goldsworthy, was sent to the travellers last month, informing them that due to the unlikely success of any action, the council would not look to take any removal measures for a further five years.

There is hope an alternative site can be found within two years, the letter added though.

Mr Davies said: "The sheer incompetence of the Vale of Glamorgan Council to effectively tackle this situation in Sully is of a huge frustration to the residents and local community in Sully.

"The travellers have occupied the land since 2012 and for the council to simply say it is working on a solution is simply not acceptable.

"The council needs to get a grip.

"With serious questions regarding contamination and general safety on the site it is imperative that action is taken to resolve this unacceptable situation."

The current site was intended to be adopted into the council's Local Development Plan, in a bid to meet the Welsh Government requirement for a designated gypsy/traveller site in the region.

But planning inspector Mr Jenkins dismissed the site's suitability based on flood risk concerns in March, and councillors raised further concerns last week regarding overcrowding.

A spokesperson for the council said this week: "In light of the planning inspector’s decision, work is now underway to find an alternative site that can accommodate the needs of the Vale’s Gypsy and Traveller community and all other parties.

"However, as the Hayes Road site is owned by the council, it is not possible for us to move the travellers on until there is an alternative site on which to accommodate them.

"This is why we have proposed a short term toleration of the occupation of the Hayes Road site."