Plans to build 350 new homes on former golf club pulled

A developer behind contentious plans to build 350 homes on a former golf club in Caerphilly town has withdrawn from the scheme.

Caerphilly County Borough Council approved proposals to transform the 42-acre Virginia Park site into a new neighbourhood in May 2019.

The application prompted nearly 300 objections and a petition against the plans, with concerns over the loss of a greenfield site, the impact on the town’s infrastructure and that only 25 of the homes would be affordable housing.

However developer Bellway Homes has now confirmed it has withdrawn from the scheme.

A spokesman for the developer said: “Bellway was unable to reach agreement with the vendor of the site so we have withdrawn our plans as a result.”

Labour councillors Jamie Pritchard, Shayne Cook and Plaid Cymru’s Phil Bevan, who all represent the Morgan Jones ward, have welcomed the news.

Councillor Pritchard said he and Cllr Cook “stand ready to fight any future application, should one come in”.

“We have continuously supported residents against a mass, unaffordable application on this greenfield site,” Cllr Pritchard said.

“Residents have worked solidly to highlight the problems with the now withdrawn application. We will continue to work around the clock to fight unacceptable development.”

Cllr Cook said a public meeting held in January 2017 showed “the strength of feeling in the community” over the plans.

“We will continue to support local residents who we’ve been working with for years on this,” he added.

Cllr Bevan said residents had concerns over the impact of the development on the town’s infrastructure and the impact on traffic.

“If this is dead in the water and the applicant has pulled out then I am delighted on behalf of the residents over there,” he said.

Cllr Bevan said he would also be making inquiries into any pre-construction work that has taken place on the site.

‘High quality’ homes were promised in the outline planning application, along with a community centre, playing fields and children’s play areas.

Virginia Park Golf Club closed in March 2017 with falling membership numbers making the venture unviable.

The clubhouse, and surrounding ponds, would have been retained with the building serving as a local centre and complimented by a sports pitch.

The council confirmed the planning application has been withdrawn.