Islwyn MP Chris Evans has expressed concern at plans that could see thousands of new homes built on greenfield sites across Caerphilly County Borough.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) is a planning blueprint which will guide the authority in its decisions until 2031.
A draft version was approved by councillors in February this year with the document now out for public consultation.
Once that ends on Friday, April 22, residents’ views will be taken into account by an inspector who has the power to order changes to the plan.
If approved in its current form it could pave the way for thousands of new homes – many of which could be built on green spaces near Caerphilly town, Rudry, and Maesycwmmer and other areas. New by-passes for Caerphilly town and Maesycwmmer are also included.
Speaking out on the draft LDP, Labour MP Mr Evans said: “While I welcome the prospect of new homes and commercial areas being built in my constituency, I am concerned that some of the plans are very large in scale.
“Maesycwmmer is a small village and the proposed development would put considerable extra pressure on local services.
“Much of the development is also planned on greenfield sites. There are many suitable brownfield sites across my constituency and I am disappointed that more of those are not being utilised.
“The consultation will be open for submissions until April 22 and I encourage all residents who could be affected by these plans to make their voices heard.”
Cllr Nigel Dix, from Blackwood, welcomed Mr Evans’ comments and said he had recently attended a packed-out public meeting in Cefn Fforest Community Centre where residents were angry at plans for 350 homes in their area in the LDP.
He said: “People are concerned about their community and the impact this could have on infrastructure.”
• A campaign event opposing the draft LDP is planned for the Twyn Community Centre in Caerphilly town on Saturday, April 2, between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
• To register a comment or to view all the LDP documents online, visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/ldp or submit a letter in writing to The LDP Team, Strategic and Development Plans, Communities Directorate, Penallta House, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7PG.
Residents wanting their questions on the LDP answered can call 01495 235 376 or email ldp@caerphilly.gov.uk.
It is strange to see a Labour councillor supporting people who are concerned over development when that same Labour councillor voted for the LDP. If I remember right, only one Labour councillor (who just so happens to be the Labour AM candidate) voted against the LDP.
That is correct Mr. Oracle. It would have been better if this ill thought out plan had been voted down. In any caser the CCBC will not exist soon as itself becomes a victim of local government reorganisation.
Trouble is when Labour get in again, which they undoubtedly will, won’t they then simply make sure that the reorganisation sees areas that aren’t Labour led swallowed up by stronghold Labour areas thus eliminating any challenge to Labour in the future, I’m sure the majority of people that are whining about the LDP issue will still go out and put their cross firmly in the Labour box come election day.
Sadly you may well be right, they keep getting votes based on the, very real, good that Labour once did. Since becoming a party that represents the metropolitan liberals they can still count on an uncritical working class that have been hammered by Labour for 20 years.
The one bright light is UKIP that has scared the death out of Labour and the Welsh Nationalists. UKIP won the European elections and came second in Caerffili in the 2015 general election. If people want change there is only one party to vote for this year. A little prediction of mine here, if UKIP takes several seats in the Assembly just watch Labour and the Welsh Nats jump into a coalition government. Two cheeks of the same back side.
Better the WELSH nats than the English Nats …
The Councillor who voted against the proposed LDP did so with alternative processes in mind. He does not `just so happen` to be the Labour Candidate in the Assembly Elections, nothing of the sort in fact, check him out.
And I am surprised that such a regular local political commentator like you has so far failed to recognise and disect the `headlines` of the alternative proposals he put forward, and comment meaningfully, reasonably and accordingly, or, do you belong to the gang of those who`s strings are being pulled, in a pathetic attempt by some other Candidates in the Assembly Election to `rabble rouse` in a cacophany of meaningless opposition to the plans currently under public consultation?
He voted against because he was told to because he is standing in an election – cynical or what.
The people of Caerphilly County are NOT stupid
I disagree with your last sentence. The people of Caerphilly County will actually vote for him to be the AM.
Do not underestimate my ability to remember things I have read.
Your loyalty is not matched by his words. He voted against the LDP not because he wants to protect green spaces, nor does he not believe in development, but because he wants to see a regional LDP done for South-East Wales – very sneaky. He is essentially saying “I agree with the LDP, though I’ll vote against it for the election and support the same LDP when it is merged with other LDPs.”
Hefin David is not some temerarious God-like parvenu sitting in a bastion of commonness where all of the adherents can assemble to worship his selflessness in voting against the LDP regardless of any consequences on his political career, he is a politician who made the tactical division to oppose the LDP in hope of boosting his electoral chances. Hmm, Boris Johnson anyone? He is not exactly a hardcore eurosceptic is he. It’s not surprising he backed a Brexit if it means he will be more popular among the very eurosceptic grassroot Tories.
http://www.caerphillyobserver.co.uk/news/955309/goodbye-green-spaces-residents-anger-at-potential-loss-to-housing-after-draft-local-development-plan-is-passed-by-caerphilly-county-borough-council/
So, you agree, He voted AGAINST the current, under consultation, LDP then?. What on earth has Boris keep your trousers on Johnson got to do with the CAERPHILLY CBC LDP?. please please dont answer that.
I agree with you, this Councillor is a good, tactical politician, who leads where others follow.
Labour are a disgrace. It`s this MP`s Labour party that has caused all the problems to the people of Caerphilly County – Get Plaid Cymru in to sort out their mess
Do you belong to the gang of those who`s strings are being pulled, in a
pathetic attempt by some other Candidates in the Assembly Election to
`rabble rouse` in a cacophany of meaningless opposition to the plans
currently under public consultation? And, if you consider the current plans so `off beam`, what are your alternative proposals,? As you alude, Other senior Labour politicians have alternative proposals before them to deal with, and to make future LDP`s more effective and inclusive of a wider range of considerations, or, do you fail to grasp the point of the alternatives Assembly Candidate and local Councillor Hefin David has
put forward?.do you even know what they are?
There needs to be effective opposition to all unreasonable politics, but, The Welsh Nationalists are a spent force, they have amongst their number,crude and very rude, local representatives who are prone to disrespecting citizens, and in so doing disrespect reasonable Nationalists like Lindsay and Leanne in the process,
The Nationalist are no longer a group attractive enough to support in the ballot box, and as an opposition party in the Assembly that is regretable, as they will never now reach high public office.
The resident stupid labour guy has appeared .. Are they paying you to post this nonsense?
LABOUR have caused a lot of problems in Caerphilly County via the LDP and sandwich tax.
They should have voted AGAINST the plan so the planners would have to look at it again, not cause all these problems …
Both Labour MP’s are now showing their concern over the problems their Labour Council are causing .. shame they didn’t show their concern at an earlier stage, they are just making noises and should have had greater influence, they are also a disgrace
Do you belong to the gang of those who`s strings are being pulled, in a
pathetic attempt by some other Candidates in the Assembly Election to
`rabble rouse` in a cacophany of meaningless opposition to the plans
currently under public consultation?
Stupid stupid comment …