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Anger after plans to build more than 600 houses on Gwern y Domen resubmitted

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 14:58, Thursday July 11th, 2019.
Last updated: 18:36, Monday July 15th, 2019
An artist’s impression of the Gwern-y-Domen development superimposed on a satellite image of the area
An artist’s impression of the Gwern y Domen development superimposed on a satellite image of the area

Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight against plans to build more than 600 houses on greenfield land in Caerphilly after a planning application was resubmitted.

Developers PMG Limited and Persimmon Homes want to build on Gwern y Domen, which is between Lansbury Park and Rudry.

The plans, which could see 618 houses built, were originally submitted in 2017, but were resubmitted last month with minor changes.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: “It is standard practice, the plans have undergone a number of amendments after feedback from consultees.

“One field has now been omitted from the plans and further ecological mitigation has been included.”

Residents have until August 3 to submit their views on the development, before councillors make a decision.

Jayne Garland, who is Chair of the Gwern y Domen Conservation Group, has been fighting the plans since they were first mooted in 2015.

Ms Garland, who is also Chair of the Draethen, Waterloo and Rudry Community Council, said: “We don’t need any more houses in the Caerphilly basin.

“We will fight this tooth and nail. I’m sure Persimmon will appeal this if they don’t win.”

The Gwern-y-Domen Conservation Group, which has a few hundred members, has raised money in case the plans go to appeal.

Ms Garland said: “If we were to fight Persimmon, it would put our members’ pockets at risk.”

To help with the costs, the group has merged with the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, a charity that aims to protect rural landscapes and help fight cases like this.

“I’ve been fighting these plans since 2015. It’s been my life. I’ve even had to put off holidays.

“I’ve eaten, slept and breathed this planning application.”

Ms Garland added: “This development is even less necessary with the developments in Hendredenny and Virginia Park.

“We’re talking a lot of units in Caerphilly, which is already over-stressed.

“New houses aren’t bringing employment to the area, it’s just turning Caerphilly into a dormitory town for Cardiff.

“This is about greed, not need.

“Gwern-y-Domen is a beautiful public amenity that’s superb for wildlife. They should leave it alone.”

The conservation group has received backing from television nature presenter Iolo Williams, who is a patron of the group.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: “In May 2017, Persimmon Homes and joint landowner PMG submitted an outline planning application for up to 618 homes at the site of the former Gwern y Domen farm, close to Caerphilly town centre.

“The application is unique in that despite district valuation putting affordable homes at just 12% of the development, it identifies 40% affordable housing.

“Persimmon Homes and PMG have worked closely with the council on this strategy and the homes will be first offered to the local authority to operate its own social housing scheme, before being offered to a nominated registered social landlord.

“This is the first such scheme in Caerphilly.

“We have been working closely with the council to create a development that will deliver much needed housing within the borough whilst mitigating any potential impact on the surrounding areas.

“In addition, it is anticipated the proposal will have significant positive economic benefits in the area. These include 335 direct construction jobs per year of construction, 506 indirect and induced jobs supported per year of construction and a gross value added of £15.1 million per annum.

“It would also bring increased council tax receipts of £690,000 per annum, an expected community infrastructure contribution of circa £2.1 million and a total household annual expenditure of £13.3 million within the local leisure and retail sectors.”

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