A former colliery site is to be earmarked for a future housing development – despite fears from residents of the land being contaminated.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is to become the first unitary authority in Wales to adopt a new Local Development Plan (LDP) – a blueprint for future development – with the Bedwas Colliery site set to be included in the plans.
Council officers have drawn up the document ready for councillors to give it the green light on November 23. If agreed, the LDP will out the council’s policies and proposals to control land use up until 2021.
The preparation of the document has included extensive public consultation and a public examination by an independent Planning Inspector.
Councillor Rob Gough, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: “It’s great to see that Caerphilly is leading the way in Wales in progressing our Local Development Plan within the timescales agreed with the Welsh Assembly Government.
“A lot of hard work has been done to drive the plan forward and I would like to congratulate the team involved on their efforts. I would also like to thank all those who have contributed to the consultation process and helped shape this important document.”
Residents had expressed concern at the possible inclusion of the former Bedwas Colliery site in the LDP because of fears the land was contaminated.
The inspector, in his report, acknowledged that the allocation of Bedwas Colliery for development is locally contentious and that residents have genuine concerns. However, the Inspector concluded that he “finds no substantive flaw in the council’s decision to allocate the site for the proposed combination of uses.”
Cllr Ron Davies, local ward member and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It’s encouraging to see that the independent inspector has endorsed this proposal, and that he recognises that we have given serious and detailed consideration to all the issues associated with the redevelopment of this site. We want to reassure the local community that any future use of the land will be carefully considered as part of the planning application process.”
What does Caerphilly’s Local Development Plan contain? Click here to find out.