A TRAVELLERS' site which appeared in Dinas Powys just over a week ago has now moved on.

The encampment which arrived at Parc Bryn y Don on Thursday, June 18 has caused outrage amongst local councillors and residents.

Several public meetings have been held to discuss the issue including one hosted by Alun Cairns MP at Dinas Powys rugby club on Friday, June 26 which saw over 100 people attend.

Following a multi agency meeting at the Vale council, a notice of intent was served on the travellers stating they would have to leave the site by midday on Thursday, June 25 or face legal action.

After they had not done so, legal papers were submitted and a court hearing was scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 10am.

But by Saturday, June 27 the encampment was no longer present on the site and it was returned to public use after a clean up operation.

Conversations between councillors and the travelling community revealed that they were on 'holiday' in the area and were celebrating a wedding.

However, legal proceedings are continuing and a hearing at Cardiff county court was held on Monday, June 29.

In light of this hearing, the council say they intend to pursue an order to prevent the travellers re-entering the area and the application will be considered again by the court at a hearing on Thursday, July 2.

Vale resident and regional AM Andrew RT Davies has expressed his 'delight' that the travellers have moved on.

He said: “This news will be welcomed by everyone in the local community, many of whom have been unfairly disrupted by this outrageous occupation of much-used playing fields.

Clubs such as Dinas Powys Cricket Club and Dinas Powys FC have been hugely inconvenienced and these individuals should have been moved off the land far sooner by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Unfortunately, action taken by the Vale council was typically slow and you do question why it took them so long when you compare how quickly the group were moved off a similar site in Thornhill in Cardiff.

Thankfully, the sheer strength of local opinion ensured the Vale Council had to act to end this group’s so called ‘holiday’ and I pay tribute to all local residents who refused to be beaten, ably led by our MP, Alun Cairns."

Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan also welcomed the news. He said: "“The news that the travellers have left the Vale of Glamorgan has been welcomed by the community.

Local residents and sporting organisations had to contend with an incredible amount of disruption – it was completely unacceptable.

I am grateful to the police for attending the meeting, but over 120 residents were left very frustrated that the local authority could not find anyone to attend or provide clear communication.

I am pleased that the pressure we kept up has ensured that the travellers were left in no doubt that occupying such a well-used site in Dinas Powys was unacceptable.

The local authority should learn some important lessons from this episode to ensure that this site and any other open space in the Vale of Glamorgan is secure.

I am grateful to the residents, Dinas Powys football and cricket clubs for supporting my campaign to see the travellers move on.”

Both entry gates at the site are now locked, and the site will remain closed to vehicles for the next week to ensure it is not reoccupied.

They say there are legal guidelines which must be adhered to in these situations. .

We would like to thank the majority of residents for their patience in this matter, and also wish to sincerely thank the Council staff who worked to reclaim the site, cleaned the area, and returned it to public use.

Chris Franks, a Plaid Cymru councillor on Dinas Powys community council said: "Fortunately after the Vale Council served the Travellers with a legal notice they left albeit two days after the notice stated.

A Court hearing was due on Monday. We had heard all sorts of rumours. One was that there was to be a wedding and that they would then leave.

There did seem to be a party on the Friday and then they disappeared on the Saturday.

They were last seen at Culverhouse heading to the M4."