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More than 700 letters objecting to a proposed housing development at Nant y Calch farm, Caerphilly, have been collected following a community event organised by campaigners.

Harmoni Homes – a brand of United Welsh housing association – is seeking planning permission to redevelop the farm site, off Warren Drive, for 44 affordable homes.

It argues the scheme is “appropriate and acceptable” and would “provide much-needed affordable housing in an area of need”.

But the proposals have long been opposed by campaigners who want the greenfield site protected as a nature reserve, and who also fear developing the land could increase flood risk.

The Nant y Calch Conservation Group organised a drop-in session at the Twyn Community Centre, on Saturday March 7, to allow residents to view details of the application and to discuss concerns.

According to the group, attendees raised a broad range of issues including road safety, wildlife protection, compliance with planning policy and concerns over potential contamination risks linked to the nearby former Ness Tar Works site.

By the end of the day, more than 700 formal letters of objection were collected. These will now be lodged with Caerphilly County Borough Council as part of the planning process.

Plaid Cymru’s South East Wales Senedd Member Delyth Jewell and councillor Charlotte Bishop, leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly County Borough Council, attended the event along with several other local councillors.

Campaigners say the proposed development site forms part of an ecological landscape that supports species such as dormice and bats.

On Sunday, around 50 residents also took part in a protest at the farm to express their concerns about the proposed development and the potential loss of wildlife habitat.

Simon Lewis, secretary of the Nant y Calch Conservation Group, said: “The strength of feeling in the community has been remarkable. In just one day we collected over 700 letters of objection from residents who are deeply concerned about the environmental risks, the impact on wildlife habitat, and the safety implications for local roads.”

He added: “Many people are particularly worried about the historic industrial contamination associated with the former Ness Tar Works site and whether the environmental risks have been fully understood before housing is proposed so close to it.”

Lynn Gazal, co-chair of the group, said: “This land forms part of a valuable ecological area and local green space that residents care deeply about. The community is simply asking that the environmental and planning issues surrounding this site are properly examined before any irreversible decisions are made.”

Objections

During a recent pre-planning consultation period, Harmoni Homes received 737 objections to the proposals – with more than 500 mentioning ecological concerns.

Planning consultants Geraint John Planning, acting on behalf of United Welsh, has argued the development would “not result in any unacceptable loss or have any detrimental impacts on existing species” at the site.

They contended a series of proposed “mitigation and enhancements” – such as new tree planting and various nesting boxes – could instead “increase opportunities for birds and bats to nest and roost”.

The agents said the Nant y Calch site is mostly within the council’s settlement boundary and argued “minor extensions” could be approved when affordable housing was proposed.

They also claimed the project would partly involve the redevelopment of brownfield land because several farm buildings still stand at the site.

Geraint Jon Planning also said the scheme would help “unlock” possible development of the neighbouring Ness Tar site by creating a new access road.