Plans to build up to 300 homes on green field land in Bedwas have been given the go-ahead after the Welsh Government overturned a decision by councillors to reject the development.
Following an appeal however, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM has ruled the development can now go ahead.
Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “This is obviously very disappointing news as the planning committee expressed clear and unanimous concerns about the proposed housing development and these were reflected in the widespread opposition from the local community.
“We obviously accept the decision, but our serious concerns remain about the impact such a major development will have on the community and on local infrastructure.”
The decision has provoked a strong reaction from community representatives.
In a joint statement, Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen ward councillors Liz Aldworth, June Gale, Derek Havard and Lisa Phipps said: “We are very disappointed with the result of the enquiry.
This decision makes a mockery of the planning committee’s decision to reject planning permission for this site and shows the system is loaded in favour of developers.
“We regret that local residents and local elected representatives have not been listened to.”
Caerphilly AM Hefin David, who has campaigned for improvements to planning regulations, said there were serious concerns about traffic congestion.
He said: “I am hugely disappointed that planning permission has been granted for development at Pandy Road as it flies in the face of the views of local people, as well as the fact that the council’s planning committee threw it out.
“Like local residents and councillors, I have serious concerns about the impact of extra traffic in the area on the local community, environment and infrastructure.
“I will now be working with the local community and Caerphilly County Borough Council to ensure that the Welsh Government does more to alleviate traffic and congestion problems that affect all roads leaving to the south of Caerphilly.”
Caerphilly MP Wayne David added: “I am extremely disappointed that the Inspector has decided to go against the views of local people and the council’s planning committee. I will now urge the council to do everything possible to minimise the problems that will be caused by traffic congestion.”
The original decision to turn down the development was based on it being outside of the settlement boundary outlined in Caerphilly County Borough Council’s adopted Local Development Plan.
In her letter to the local authority, Lesley Griffiths AM acknowledged this but stated that as the council did not have an up-to-date plan in terms of housing land supply, the need for housing had greater weight.
She said: “I agree with the Inspector, whilst the proposal does not comply with the development plan, the considerable shortfall in housing supply should be given substantial weight and weighs heavily in favour of the proposal.”
The letter from the cabinet secretary also quotes the planning inspector who looked at the appeal.
The inspector writes: “The proposal fails to accord with the adopted development plan as the proposal would constitute a housing development outside the defined settlement boundaries.
“Nonetheless I have found that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on the specific distinctive features and qualities of the Special Landscape Area or on its overall integrity and would not conflict with development plan policies that seek to protect, conserve, enhance and manage the valuable features of the natural and built environment.”
Carwyn Jones and his crew show their true colours. a really stupid descision that will destroy green land for ever and add congestion our already overcrowded roads and, well documented, the traffic pollution problems in the town.
Does the Caerphilly planning committee actually know what it is doing? How much has this appeal cost the taxpayers of Caerphilly, as it’s the council who will have to foot the bill as they lost the appeal. Houses have to be built, years and years of Welsh Labour not building enough new homes has led to decisions like this, fact is that Caerphilly is prime location for house builders who want maximum profit from their investment…..and all those who object, complain and moan about this latest Welsh Labour decision will only go and vote for them again come election day.
Your right Paul, it’s time for change as an ex-Labour voter I recommend it
A real shame that the minister was not told early enough about the number of brownfield sites with potential for housing – capacity for nearly 4,500 and enough for the next 25years let alone 5 years supply. A greenfield site has been needlessly lost, despite the Welsh Government policy clearly stating that it should be a last resort.
If Caerphilly’s Labour AM and Labour MP were truly “disappointed” by their own party’s decision to approve these plans then they would resign in protest. Zac Goldsmith did just that over Heathrow’s third runway. These so called representatives are on the gravy train too much to stand up for what the people of Caerphilly want and need.
They couldn’t give a monkeys what the people of Caerphilly think, they know there seats are safer than Fort Knox and come May they’ll get voted in again whatever they do.
I will be doing everything I can to shake up Caerphilly Council this May.
If people in Caerphilly are going to vote Labour regardless of what Labour does, why should Labour care? People have got to start voting for other parties when Labour and Plaid let them down
Always the same. Labour says one thing and secretly plots to favour big business against the concerns and interests of the people. Nothing has changed since Tony Blair’s days