Carmarthenshire County Council / Cyngor Sir Gâr

Gwrthwynebu

Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin

ID sylw: 4974

Derbyniwyd: 14/04/2023

Respondent ID: 5616

Ymatebydd: Ms Rachel Maddan

Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Nac Ydi

Cadarn? Nac Ydi

Crynodeb o'r Gynrychiolaeth:

- I object to removing SLA designations in the proposed revisions to the LDP for all 18 SLA regions currently protected, as it would de-prioritise the protection of the landscape in planning decisions. - It's concerning this coincides with Bute/GreenGen Towy Usk proposals for a network of pylons/potential windfarms. Removing SLA designations while pylons are being proposed indicates to residents the Council is paving the way to approve pylons, as they will not contradict removed SLAs. - Although SLAs express policy positions not full statutory protections, they nevertheless remain important expressions of planning policy decisions, as NRW have indicated in their concerns.

Newid wedi’i awgrymu gan ymatebydd:

The Special Landscape Area designations should be kept in the Local Development Plan for all 18 SLA regions currently protected. This would reassure Carmarthenshire residents that the Council are formally committed to the objective of protecting the aesthetic beauty of our unique historical and natural landscape, as an evidenced, formal policy position of the council. It Would also demonstrate a joined-up, long-term approach that recognises the beauty of the area is inherently linked to the Carmarthenshire's economic strategy based on leisure and tourism. Otherwise, our area will be at risk of costly and wasteful retrospective investment in 'future landscape enhancement' projects after aesthetically damaging developments (e.g. pylons network), as is currently the case in the Dwyryd Estuary and North Wessex Downs.

Testun llawn:

The Special Landscape Area (SLA) designation provides protection for locally significant and attractive landscapes that are of comparable quality to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). They should be protected and enhanced, particularly through planning processes in Carmarthenshire. I object to Carmarthenshire County Council's proposals to remove the SLA designations in the proposed revisions to the LDP, as doing so is an expression that Carmarthenshire County Council are actively de-prioritising the protection of the landscape in its local plan. This is particularly concerning given these proposals coincide with current proposals for a distribution network of pylons and potential for further wind farms across the Tywi valley. Removing SLA designations at the same time that plans are being proposed for pylons across the county indicates to Carmarthenshire residents that the Council are paving the way to approve the pylon network, as they will not be in contradiction with the removed SLA status. While SLAs are more of a policy position than a statutory protection, they nevertheless remain an important protection in any planning process, as National Resources Wales have indicated their concerns in writing to you at the proposed removal of SLAs. I therefore strongly object to any removal of SLA for all 18 SLA regions currently protected, and would reassure residents that Carmarthenshire County Council seek to protect our special historical and natural environment.

Ein hymateb:

The Plan seeks to recognise the high quality landscapes across the plan area and will be supported by a Landscape Character Assessment which will seek to characterise landscape importance and inform future decision making. Those areas currently identified as Special Landscape Areas will be fully considered as part of the Landscape Character Assessment. This will be prepared and published as Supplementary Planning Guidance for adoption concurrent with the Plan.