Plans to extend the boundary of Caerphilly town, which could pave the way for hundreds of new homes, have been met with anger from residents.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is currently consulting on its new Local Development Plan (LDP)- a planning ‘blueprint’ for the county borough – for the next 16 years.
The draft LDP proposes that a new road could be built between Van Road and the A469 Mountain Road, to support the development of between 450 and 500 homes on the site of the former Ness Tar Plant and the surrounding land of Nant y Calch Farm.
But residents are unhappy claiming any new road and development would lead to further congestion and the loss of green space.
Husband and wife Chris and Shan Dawson have set up an online petition against the proposals.
Mr Dawson, who lives near the route of the proposed road, said: “There is no thought of the infrastructure for Caerphilly town as a whole.
“It is about moving the boundary of the green belt, and once that’s gone it can never go back.”
Mr Dawson said any benefit a new road could bring in easing traffic congestion would be negated with the development of homes.
He also said the new road would increase congestion on the A469 Mountain Road.
He also cited environmental concerns over remediation work that would have to take place on the site of the former tar plant before any building work could begin.
Councillor James Fussell, whose St Martin’s ward includes the area of planned development, said himself, Cllr Colin Elsbury and Cllr Steve Kent were all opposed to moving the Caerphilly town settlement boundary.
He said: “If this was to be included in the LDP, it would be difficult to stop any future development. It is imperative that we have that thrown out now and not at a later stage.”
Also included in the draft plan is the potential to allow 1,700 homes to be built in Maesycwmmer and improvements to the A472 bottleneck in the area, either by improving the road or by building a new bypass.
Gwernau Ganol and Gwerna Fawr Farm in Maesycwmmer have been earmarked for the new housing estate, which if built could include a new primary school.
The proposed road, again if built, would be to the south of the new housing.
Maesycwmmer councillor Robin Woodyatt, who represents Labour, raised concerns about the sewerage infrastructure and state of the land that would be developed.
He questioned whether a developer would put the “vast” amount of money forward to “take a gamble on selling so many houses in a depressed market”.
He said: “It would destroy the nature of the village, it would destroy a lot of open countryside and there may be a lot of problems developing it because of the nature of the land.
“What would be the impact on the local village school, which is already full to capacity and turning pupils away for next year?
“This is of course an outline plan and will go on to be considered in a draft plan in a year’s time.
“I will be objecting at this stage and will be objecting at the next stage.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said its first consultation phase on the LDP ends on Tuesday March 24.
He said: Caerphilly’s LDP was first adopted in 2010 and provides the legal framework for the development and use of land within the county borough. It also provides the context for determining local planning applications.
“The council is now in the process of updating the LDP to cover the period up to 2031. This involves several stages of preparation, consultation and engagement with the public and other interested parties.”
For more information on Caerphilly’s proposed LDP visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk.
• More than 300 people have signed a petition against a planning application to build 300 houses north of Pandy Road in Bedwas.
Cllr Ray Davies said residents had concerns over increased traffic levels and increased demand on services if the development went ahead.
House builders and local councils are dammed if they do and dammed if they don’t. For the past 15 years Welsh Labour has had complete control over housing in Wales and they have not built enough homes, there is a shortage running into ten’s of thousands, so new houses need to be built to satisfy the demand. There will always be objectors and NIMBYs when any new housing development is proposed, but they rarely come up with any credible objections. Councillor Robin Woodyatt questions whether a developer would put the “vast” amount of money forward to “take a gamble on selling so many houses in a depressed market”……Well Mr Woodyatt I recently visited a housing development in Rudry Lane and every single new house built there is sold, and not one was under £400’000. It’s amusing how people who know absolutely nothing about house building or planning rules suddenly think they have become overnight experts in the subject when a development is earmarked near to where they live, but they can never come up with an argument that actually has anything to do with planning rules.
Sadly, I think you are either misinformed or misguided and I
wager (like those people you refer to) you become an uninformed pundit over some sporting occasion.
To declare a housing shortage running into the tens of thousands must be supported with credible evidence. Where did that number materialise from?
2013 Mid-year population estimates for Wales, published June 2014, link below.
http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2014/140626-mid-year-population-estimates-2013-en.pdf
Total change in population for Wales in the twelve months to mid-2013 was around 8,300, compared to 10,300 for the twelve months to mid-2012. Most of the total change in population was due to net international migration rather than natural change, whilst there was a net migration flow from Wales to the rest of the UK.
Population change by local authority 2012/13 – in Caerphilly
(2012) 179,000 to (2013) 179,200.
Assuming these figures to be correct and based upon longer
term projections I cannot see an LDP requiring the degree of development as projected.
If you are looking for credible objections: let’s start with the
Aber Valley and Hendredenny. The road infrastructure along the B4263 and Station Terrace struggles to cope with the current capacity; ditto Caerphilly town centre and exit roads. The local community schools are full and additional housing based upon the level as prescribed by the LDP will exasperate the problems associated with
public services such as doctor’s surgeries, use of sports centres and libraries for example.
Cllr Ray Davies has good reason to be concerned.
House builders and local councils are dammed if they do and dammed if they don’t. For the past 15 years Welsh Labour has had complete control over housing in Wales and they have not built enough homes, there is a shortage running into ten’s of thousands, so new houses need to be built to satisfy the demand. There will always be objectors and NIMBYs when any new housing development is proposed, but they rarely come up with any credible objections. Councillor Robin Woodyatt questions whether a developer would put the “vast” amount of money forward to “take a gamble on selling so many houses in a depressed market”……Well Mr Woodyatt I recently visited a housing development in Rudry Lane and every single new house built there is sold, and not one was under £400’000. It’s amusing how people who know absolutely nothing about house building or planning rules suddenly think they have become overnight experts in the subject when a development is earmarked near to where they live, but they can never come up with an argument that actually has anything to do with planning rules.
Sadly, I think you are either misinformed or misguided and I
wager (like those people you refer to) you become an uninformed pundit over some sporting occasion.
To declare a housing shortage running into the tens of thousands must be supported with credible evidence. Where did that number materialise from?
2013 Mid-year population estimates for Wales, published June 2014, link below.
http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2014/140626-mid-year-population-estimates-2013-en.pdf
Total change in population for Wales in the twelve months to mid-2013 was around 8,300, compared to 10,300 for the twelve months to mid-2012. Most of the total change in population was due to net international migration rather than natural change, whilst there was a net migration flow from Wales to the rest of the UK.
Population change by local authority 2012/13 – in Caerphilly
(2012) 179,000 to (2013) 179,200.
Assuming these figures to be correct and based upon longer
term projections I cannot see an LDP requiring the degree of development as projected.
If you are looking for credible objections: let’s start with the
Aber Valley and Hendredenny. The road infrastructure along the B4263 and Station Terrace struggles to cope with the current capacity; ditto Caerphilly town centre and exit roads. The local community schools are full and additional housing based upon the level as prescribed by the LDP will exasperate the problems associated with
public services such as doctor’s surgeries, use of sports centres and libraries for example.
Cllr Ray Davies has good reason to be concerned.
Paul, this is nothing to do with NIMBY, over 2000 people who care have signed an online or paper petition. You can see our very valid objections clearly at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/nantycalch We are not planning experts and we are not pretending to be. Look at the ldp. Even this indicates more negatives than positives
‘It will be a blot on the landscape’ is not a valid planning objection it’s simply people whining, if people wish to object they need to do it with their head not their heart, they need to disengage their emotions and stick to the facts.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/nantycalch
Paul, this is nothing to do with NIMBY, over 2000 people who care have signed an online or paper petition. You can see our very valid objections clearly at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/nantycalch We are not planning experts and we are not pretending to be. Look at the ldp. Even this indicates more negatives than positives
‘It will be a blot on the landscape’ is not a valid planning objection it’s simply people whining, if people wish to object they need to do it with their head not their heart, they need to disengage their emotions and stick to planning facts, nobody really wants a new housing development built next to them but houses have to be built somewhere, and it always seems the way that most people couldn’t care less about a piece of land or the creatures that live there until some big bad builder comes along and wants to stick a hundred houses on it.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/nantycalch
The fact of the matter is that the Council are obliged to identify a land bank for creating housing developments in the borough.
If a land owner has expressed an interest in develoing their land, or, has expressed an interest in allowing land they own to be devoloped, the council are in some respects obliged to consult on it.
Since 2010 when the last plan was proposed much of the development land identified by the then Plaid Cymru Council has either been developed, or, has been found to be unsuitable for development for housing, and to their everlasting credit Plaid Cymru gave preference to the redevelopment of Brown Field Sites in the 2010 plan.
The consistancy of opposition to the plan, by St Martins ward Plaid Cymru Councillors, to shift the borders into green field areas of southern Caerphilly has to be supported and applauded
It appears that the land owners of the farm land involved, Plymouth Estates, is keen to redevlop their land and to make capitol from it and any increased value it would attract if these plans get approval.
The fact of the matter is that the Council are obliged to identify a land bank for creating housing developments in the borough.
If a land owner has expressed an interest in develoing their land, or, has expressed an interest in allowing land they own to be devoloped, the council are in some respects obliged to consult on it.
Since 2010 when the last plan was proposed much of the development land identified by the then Plaid Cymru Council has either been developed, or, has been found to be unsuitable for development for housing, and to their everlasting credit Plaid Cymru gave preference to the redevelopment of Brown Field Sites in the 2010 plan.
The consistancy of opposition to the plan, by St Martins ward Plaid Cymru Councillors, to shift the borders into green field areas of southern Caerphilly has to be supported and applauded
It appears that the land owners of the farm land involved, Plymouth Estates, is keen to redevlop their land and to make capitol from it and any increased value it would attract if these plans get approval.
We wouldn’t need so many new houses across the country if we were not getting the equivalent of the entire population of Liverpool streaming through Dover every year. We won’t need these houses if we get a referendum.
We wouldn’t need so many new houses across the country if we were not getting the equivalent of the entire population of Liverpool streaming through Dover every year. We won’t need these houses if we get a referendum.
So now, “Councillor James Fussell, whose St Martin’s ward includes the area of planned development, said himself, Cllr Colin Elsbury and Cllr Steve Kent were all opposed to moving the Caerphilly town settlement boundary.” ??
Would I be right in saying that is incorrect? Plaid Cymru appear to be saying they are against something they have clearly supported, in a council meeting on 7th October 2014 a number of Plaid Cymru councillors were present and voted for the first draft of the LDP, including Linsay Whittle AM. (See: Council Meeting 7/10/2014 http://www.democracy.caerphilly.gov.uk/documents/s4370/minutesOctober2014.pdf Go to point 8 and at the Regeneration for Life Scrutiny Meeting 16/09/2014 – Cllr’s Kent and Elsbury present voting for the LDP. Go to point 11.
http://www.democracy.caerphilly.gov.uk/documents/s3672/04%20Regeneration%20and%20Environment%20Minutes%2016%20September%202014.pdf)
If you read the links you will find that the first review of the LDP was unanimously agreed by both Labour and Plaid councillors. Funny how when UKIP talk about protecting our green spaces and gain lots of support the other parties flutter and suddenly change their mind?
Looks like a classic case of Plaid saying one thing in public but doing something else in the council chamber or committee room.
So now, “Councillor James Fussell, whose St Martin’s ward includes the area of planned development, said himself, Cllr Colin Elsbury and Cllr Steve Kent were all opposed to moving the Caerphilly town settlement boundary.” ??
Would I be right in saying that is incorrect? Plaid Cymru appear to be saying they are against something they have clearly supported, in a council meeting on 7th October 2014 a number of Plaid Cymru councillors were present and voted for the first draft of the LDP, including Linsay Whittle AM. (See: Council Meeting 7/10/2014 http://www.democracy.caerphilly.gov.uk/documents/s4370/minutesOctober2014.pdf Go to point 8 and at the Regeneration for Life Scrutiny Meeting 16/09/2014 – Cllr’s Kent and Elsbury present voting for the LDP. Go to point 11.
http://www.democracy.caerphilly.gov.uk/documents/s3672/04%20Regeneration%20and%20Environment%20Minutes%2016%20September%202014.pdf)
If you read the links you will find that the first review of the LDP was unanimously agreed by both Labour and Plaid councillors. Funny how when UKIP talk about protecting our green spaces and gain lots of support the other parties flutter and suddenly change their mind?
Looks like a classic case of Plaid saying one thing in public but doing something else in the council chamber or committee room.
When will Caerphilly councillors realise the residents of Caerphilly do not want this. When castle view was built built, where was the extra infrastructure to support it? No new roads, no new hospitals, no extra parking in Caerphilly town centre centre. In fact they actually did away with the miners hospital to build new homes homes. And spent millions on Ystrad hospital with no a+e! Get your head out of your backsides and represent the people, that’s your job we pay you to do. And people wonder why UKIP are gaining support. It is arrogant to call residents NIMBYs, we have to live here after all, so we have a right to decide what gets built. Not some councillors who can afford nice homes in rural locations. I’m sure they would be the first to complain if hundreds of homes were built next to them no?
I think that the infrastructure required for this development has not been put in place. The road system around Caerphilly cannot take the extra traffic this will cause. Also I think Caerphilly council has done this so they can say there is easy access to other areas where they plan to build houses. Green land should never be considered until all the brown belt land has been used. The only reason the brown belt land or grey areas have not been used is because they are not in prime locations for housing development company’s to make major profits.
Therefore due to this Caerphilly has to suffer losing some of the best countryside around Caerphilly just to make the council look good so they can say look at how we have improved Caerphillys housing standard. This is a shame when just down the road from this area you have Lansbury park that has been said to be one of the top deprived ares in the country and apart from doing a few improvements to reach Welsh housing standards are doing nothing to improve the area it is local people trying to help them themselfs with little or no support from the council.
In my opinion the council needs to look and do a full report on roads rail and buses the full inferstucture of the area before any new houses are built. They also need to look at what they have and how to improve it.
I also wonder how much of the area is council owned land that they are selling off to help fill in the 12.5 million pound deficit they have in next year’s budget.
How many historic local buildings has the council pulled down ?? Why have they not invested to re develop the top end of town ????? Why are the reducing services that people need ????
In a survey done people were asked how they felt on a score of 10 1 being depressed and 10 being happy of the town city where they lived In the whole of Wales Caerphilly came 4th from bottom. I realy think the council needs a shake-up to sort Caerphilly out and make it a better place to live before they think of roads and housing developments
Rant over sorry