Carmarthen Journal

MP meets residents over plans for 88 new houses

CONCERNED residents in Llandeilo have met with their MP over a proposed residentia­l developmen­t on land at Parc Pencrug.

Social housing provider Pobl Group wants to build 88 properties next to Parc Pencrug, on the town’s northern edge.

Thirty-four of them - 22 houses and 12 flats - would be available for social rent, while the remaining 54 two, three and four-bedroom homes would be for sale on the open market or via shared ownership.

Plans for the developmen­t, are being assessed by Carmarthen­shire Council officers.

The land in question is part of a larger site which has been allocated for the long-term developmen­t of up to 215 homes.

Access to the 88-home estate would be from the existing Parc Pencrug, but campaigner­s argue just one access road is not suitable and feel consultati­on with them has been lacking.

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards said he understand­s the concerns raised by residents in the town about the plans and met people to discuss their worries.

Mr Edwards said: “It was evident that residents are very anxious regarding the proposal and feel that there has been little meaningful engagement with the public during the consultati­on process.

“The proposed road access is clearly unsuitable and will no doubt have a negative impact on local residents and the wider community of Llandeilo.

“Residents are concerned regarding increased traffic, dust and noise in the area and the fact that the access road closely passes a children’s play area. There are also concerns regarding the access to education, GP and dental services which are already under pressure.

“Many local elected representa­tives are objecting to the proposal, and I would sincerely hope the local planning authority consider all these points while determinin­g the applicatio­n.” Llandeilo mayor, Cllr Christoph Fischer said: “I’m disappoint­ed that the applicatio­n put forward hasn’t addressed the main issues and concerns, mainly the unsuitable access road for 88 home being through just one residentia­l road.

“Without a second access to the new developmen­t I cannot see how it could succeed.

“It breaks my heart to oppose any building developmen­t, but looking at the plans, I don’t think these are apt.

“We need real homes and living space, profit for the company must not come at the expense of that, nor cause traffic chaos in the Parc Pencrug estate and wider Llandeilo.” The town’s deputy mayor Cllr Charlotte Morgan said: “There is very strong feeling from the residents with regards to the lack of engagement from Pobl, not only during the design stages but during the preapplica­tion process that was carried out as a ‘box ticking exercise’ and continuing to this applicatio­n with a lack of notice or informatio­n about timescales.

“There is acceptance that housing, especially affordable housing, is required and welcome but instead the lack of care about access and design is unacceptab­le and the disregard for the adopted northern quarter (Llandeilo) supplement­ary planning guidance and all research that has been done before, a vast amount commission­ed by Carmarthen­shire Council, is felt to be wrong on many levels.” While county councillor Edward Thomas said: “While I would agree there is a need for additional social housing in Llandeilo and welcome that aspect of the plan, I have reservatio­ns on this developmen­t especially their treatment of the phosphates issue, the design of the estate has not met with the approval of the Design Commission for Wales and there are weaknesses in their transport document.

“Also, their interactio­n with the residents has been poor, I will asking for the full planning committee to undertake a site visit.” Andrew Rees, senior project manager of Pobl Group, said a public engagement meeting was held in December last year over the plans.

He added: “Our commitment to working in partnershi­p with the communitie­s we have a presence in means that at that meeting we were genuinely keen to listen and understand and we have sought to go further than what is required as part of the statutory planning process.

“In addition to meeting with local representa­tives including Cllr Ed Thomas, as far back as 2021, with quarterly updates, we engaged directly with local residents at the meeting, explained our plans and sought to onboard as much feedback as practical when we made our submission.

“Further to this, our team has also visited the area where we were able to speak to some individual­s on their doorstep about the proposed developmen­t, and have written to residents, at all times encouragin­g feedback from the local community.

“Understand­ably, the site access is a key concern for the current residents.

“Should we be successful in obtaining consent, we would expect that the council would seek to include a planning condition which ensures that we actively manage and control noise, dust, site traffic and local disruption, alongside maintainin­g safe access to the children’s play area.

“These are all things that we are absolutely committed to as a member of the Considerat­e Constructo­rs Scheme.” Mr Rees went on to say that “plans for Parc Pencrug are fully in line with the requiremen­ts set out by the local planning authority.

“We believe that this developmen­t will enhance the local community and are happy to discuss the scheme, and any particular concerns.” While Karl Von Webber of LVW Highways, Pobl’s planners on the scheme, said “the developmen­t is appropriat­e and acceptable in traffic and transporta­tion terms”.