Removal of allocation from the Revised LDP.

Site PrC3/h14 – Nant Y Dderwen, Drefach, Cross Hands
Further to the publication of the above document, we have been asked by our Clients to
review its contents, policies and proposals and advise them of any aspects we believe would
unreasonably affect their aspirations and interests. In doing so we consider it necessary to
make a formal representation to the “soundness” of the Carmarthenshire Deposit Local
Development Plan in relation to the allocation for residential development at Nant Y
Dderwen, Drefach, Cross Hands (LDP Ref. No. PrC3/h14) under the provisions of Policy
HOM1. The proposed allocation has been fully assessed and in considering its context and
background (summarised below) it is considered that its continued inclusion will lead to the
Plan failing the 3 Tests of Soundness for the reasons set out below.
Site Background and Context

The allocation relates to the land shaded brown on the Proposals Map extract below and is
proposed for allocation in the 2nd Deposit LDP for the purposes of 33 residential units.

Plan A
(Extract of Proposals Map for Drefach and Nant Y Dderwen Allocation)
As part of the current consultation process into the 2nd Deposit LDP, the Council have again
published a “Site Assessment Table” (2023), which provides details of the Council’s analysis
of each received Candidate Site submission and existing allocations within the current
adopted LDP. Proposed allocation PrC3/h14 was considered as part of this process and as
a result the Council concluded as follows:
“Site to be allocated for residential development with site reference PrC3/h14.”
It is clear from the above therefore that the Council considers that the site is deliverable for the purposes of 33 houses, although it is not clear on what basis this conclusion has been
made, particularly in view of its current biodiversity value.
The allocation is greenfield in nature with its topography being relatively level. Much of the
allocation is covered with mature vegetation, trees and hedgerows, as can be seen from the
aerial photograph below (outlined in red below).

Access to the allocation is currently gained from Nant Y Dderwen, a narrow road, served by
a single or no footway for its extent (see below).

An application seeking Full Planning Permission was made to the Council in 2008 for the
Residential Develeopment of 33 houses. However, this application was withdrawn in 2014,
with no planning applications being made for the allocation since that date.

The site was allocated in the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2014) under
Allocation (GA3/h53), and previously under Allocation GR3/35 of the Carmarthenshire
Unitary Development Plan (2006) (as can be seen below).

Despite having almost 20 years of support for the principle of residential development at the
historic allocation from the Council, not a single housing unit has been delivered to date.

Tests of Soundness
Based on the above information and the guidance documents provided by the Welsh
Government and Council itself, it is considered that the inclusion of the adoption of the LDP
in its current form with the inclusion of the allocation in question, would result in it failing to
meet the requirements of the Tests of Soundness, for the reasons summarised below.
Test 1 – Does the Plan Fit?
The allocation fails the test of soundness as its inability to be delivered is in conflict with
Paragraph 4.2.2 of Planning Policy Wales (Edition 11) requirements of national planning
policy.
Test 2 – Is the Plan appropriate?
The allocation fails the test of soundness as its inability to be delivered would fail to
address key issues set out by the Plan (housing supply). The Council’s decision to allocate
the land appears to not have been done so on credible or robust evidence…
Test 3 – Will the Plan deliver?
The allocation fails to test the soundness as the site is clearly unable to deliver any new
housing. The Welsh Governments Development Plans Manual (Edition 3) is quite clear
with regard to rolling forward allocations and states that allocations “… rolled forward from a
previous plan will require careful justification for inclusion in a revised plan, aligning with
PPW. There will need to be substantial change in circumstances to demonstrate sites can be
delivered and justify being included again. Clear evidence will be required that such sites
can be delivered”. No evidence has been presented to demonstrate a change in
circumstances to indicate the allocation will now be deliverable and so its continued
allocation would lead to the plan being deemed unsound on this basis.
In summary, we object to the inclusion of the allocation in question on the basis of the
above and that its inclusion within the Plan would result in the document being ‘unsound’.
We therefore respectfully request that this Representation be given careful examination, and
that the allocation be removed to ensure that the document passes all the relevant tests of
soundness.

Please see accompanying letter