Amend Plan to include the site

This representation objects to the exclusion of this site from the development limits for Fforest/Hendy, a Tier 2 Service Centre. There are limited housing opportunities elsewhere within the settlement – most have already been built or are under construction. As the plan period progresses, there will be fewer opportunities for residential development.
Given the proximity of this urban settlement to Swansea and the strategic transport links provided by the nearby M4 and Heart of Wales rail line, this lack of recognised housing opportunities will hinder the future growth of the settlement and will discourage inward investment.
There are significant employment areas within the locality, as well as education, retail and healthcare services, yet there is very little scope for residential development within this Tier 2 settlement. The objection site represents a natural ‘rounding off’ to this part of Fforest and is conveniently located within walking distance of nearby Hendy/Pontarddulais’ services and facilities. Furthermore, there is an important community facility (‘Bird in Hand’ public house/restaurant) opposite the objection site, thereby reinforcing its confirmed sustainability credentials.
The residential element of any scheme would comprise a high quality phased development and would draw on local Welsh vernacular architectural design elements, making every effort to be sustainable, both through the employment of local contractors, the use of local suppliers, and in the long
term, through the provision of residential units within convenient walking distance of Fforest’s services and facilities.
The proposer’s land is in a highly sustainable location being immediately adjacent to the A48 road and in close proximity to the public house. The site has the added advantage of being readily deliverable to provide high quality housing in keeping with existing development in Fforest.
The inclusion of the proposer’s land would not lead to additional environmental pressure, but instead will foster sustainable growth and allow for a wider choice of housing type within Fforest. Its development would be in keeping and in character with the settlement and will ensure a readily deliverable source of future housing for this sustainable community.
In addition, residential development at this location:-
· would not be detrimental to the amenity of adjacent properties;
· would satisfy recognised housing and sustainability objectives;
· would not have a detrimental impact on the landscape or nature conservation interests.
Furthermore, the site is not impeded by any access, ground condition, flood risk, hydrological, ecological, archaeological or land ownership related constraints and its short term delivery is assured.
It is considered that this site is both sustainable and readily deliverable and its inclusion within revised development limits would be fully supported.