Councillors to debate ban on Traveller sites

A proposed ban on Travellers' accommodation near areas of outstanding natural beauty or within national parks is due for debate at Wicklow County Council today.

A majority of councillors have already backed the motion banning the creation or designation of Traveller accommodation within a three-kilometre radius of a national park or any area of outstanding natural beauty.

But last month councillors found themselves in conflict with council management when legal advice presented by staff suggested the ban was illegal.

The councillors also heard that if passed, the ban might apply to up to 40 per cent of the county.

Central to the row are proposals to move a family from a roadside site at Hollybrook, an access point from the N11 into Bray, to a new site at Killough Lower, Kilmacanogue.

Kilmacanogue councillor Christopher Fox (Ind) told the council the proposed site was on the main Dublin to Glendalough road, which he claimed was "the second most visited tourist attraction in Ireland".

Cllr Fox tabled a motion under the Local Government Act instructing the county manager not to proceed with the compulsory purchase orders for the new accommodation and in future to ban such accommodation from anywhere near beauty sites and national parks.

The motion was co-signed by councillors Joe Behan (FF), Pat Vance (FF), Ann Ferris (Lab) and John Ryan (FG).