Include site within Plan

1. Introduction
We would like to put a field forward to be kept in the new LDP. The existing number
is T3/6/h5. The owner is in the process of getting outline planning granted on this
site.
It is located right in the center of Pontyberem. This parcel of land has been put in for
outline planning last year and application process is going forward.

2. Site Appraisal
This candidate site consists of a grassed parcel of land of a rectangular shape just
South of the center of Pontyberem, which lies inside the settlement limits of the
Unitary development plan.
The field has got a slopped pedestrianized access from the north leading off the
hammerhead of Ashgrove. It is a grassed public footpath which runs across the field
linking Ashgrove to the green corridor stretching towards the south west of the
village. This parcel of land is slightly slopping and raised to the road.
To the north lies the village center with commercial and residential development.
More fields under the same ownership are stretching towards the south, east and
north.
The owner is in the process of maintaining an outline planning permission for 3
double story dwellings on the site.
Application number, S/40104

3. Access
The public footpath can be moved along the western boundary. Propose drawings
have been agreed with the “public right of way” department.
In addition, a new access onto Ashgrove can be formed via the existing
pedestrianized access.

4. Flooding
The site lies well above the water level and in good distance from the 2 streams
running along the small valley to the West. No evidence can be found on the flood
maps issued by the Environmental Agency – Wales.

5. Main services
All services: mains water supply, foul sewer, electricity and high-speed electronic
communications networks, are in Ashgrove. The area is serviced by the local bin
collection.

6. Pollution
This field is currently included in the LDP and is used for grazing.
No evidence of a past development can be found.
The radon level is under 1%.
No known contamination as happened to the land.
Not adjacent to a mineral buffer zone
The site does not lie in a sandstone recognised area.
No overhead power cable run through the field.
No activities have taken place which would have resulted in a contamination of the
soil or the sub soil.

7. Historic Importance
The site is not in a conservation area.
None of surrounding buildings are listed.
No know or apparent feature of heritage of archaeological importance can be found
on the land.
No land infills took place.
The site has not been used for any industrial use or as a waste site.
No coal mining has been taken place on or in close proximity to the site.

8. Landscape and ecology
A full ecological survey has been done, with no negative constrains have been
found.
As well as full coal mining report.
The field is used only for agricultural use at present. The surrounding hedgerow to
the north should be maintained or replanted on the site.

9. Possible constrains
There is a slight height difference between the existing road and the field which can
overcome by reducing the height of the field to the road one.
The existing footpath with a right of way can easily be incorporated into the new
development. A proposal for the redirection of the path has been agreed with the
Countryside Access Assistant already.
No underground or phone lines would cause a problem for a possible development.

10. Settlement - Boundaries
This candidate site lies inside the settlement limits of Carmarthenshire as defined in
the local UDP -GR1. The parcel of land is surrounded on two side by residential and
commercial development.
Existing LPDs (December 2014) T3/6/h5.
Pontyberem is a small town which got all necessary amenities in close proximity.
 General hospital 9.5 miles
 Secondary school 5 miles
 Primary schools, about ½ mile
 Leisure centers, 9 miles
 Town center, 200 yards
 Dentist & GP surgeries, 200 yards

11. Transport links
The transport links to Carmarthen and Llanelli town are well established and
developed.
 train station is in Kidwelly, 8 miles away
 bus line is along Llannon Road as well as Coalbrock Road with the next stop
just hundred yards
 Carmarthen town 9 miles
 Llanelli town 8 miles
 A48 motorway link is 9 min away
 M4 is reached in 15 min

12. Conclusion
From the Carmarthenshire housing policy statement, it would appear that there is a
need for around 15,000 houses in the LDP period. It also appears that there are
currently only around 5,000 committed allocations. Especially in Pontyberem not a
lot of sites had been included in the last LDP.
The outline planning process has been running since a while and all necessary
information have been provided. Further investigation like the coal mining report and
the full ecological survey had been done with no negative findings. A new public
footpath has been agreed and incorporated into the new development without a
negative effect.
We cannot see any obvious adverse effect on the developments in close proximity.
There would be an increase in traffic given amount of new dwelling which could be
erected in this field. However, the main roads as well as the village can cope with
new developments plus their traffic. It would have a positive effect on the local
economy.

An inclusion of this site at this location would realignment of the LDP’s development limits
to a more logical physical edge to the settlement.
It is worth emphasising at the outset that the site:
 will help sustain the community by providing dwellings in a location that
reinforces the traditional settlement pattern;
 is of small size and is situated adjacent to a proposed residential allocation;
 would not result in the loss of any important amenity feature or represent an
unacceptable intrusion into the landscape;
 would not give rise to any recognised highway or utility service provision
objections
 would fully comply with established planning policies that direct development
to sustainable locations in terms of proximity to urban facilities and a public
transport route.
 it is closely related to the main public transport corridors;
 the site is conveniently located in terms of schools and other services and
facilities;
 the site is not constrained by any significant environmental considerations,
including ecological designations;
 it will be contained within existing defendable boundaries and will not give rise
to any harmful precedent for further residential development.
 It is felt that there is scope for additional small sites to be identified to receive
residential development, in order to provide further choice.
 The inclusion would not create any amenity, highway or utility service provision
difficulty.