Testun llawn:
Diolch am y cyfle i ymateb 2il CDLl Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin a nodaf fy sylwadau isod. Rwy’n fodlon i’m sylwadau ysgrifenedig gael eu hystyried gan yr Arolygydd ond nid wyf am siarad mewn sesiwn gwrandawiad.
Cynghorydd Meinir James
Ward Llangyndeyrn
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Carmarthenshire County Council's 2nd LDP and my comments are noted below. I am happy for my written comments to be considered by the Inspector but I do not wish to speak at a hearing session.
Councillor Meinir James
Llangyndeyrn Ward
SP1 Twf Strategol 8 Opsiynau Twf
SP8 Y Gymraeg a Diwylliant Cymru
Mae 8,822 yn nifer rhy uchel o dai mewn cyfnod cymharol fyr a fydd yn handwyol iawn i’r Gymraeg yn Sir Gaerfyrddin. Mae darpariaeth hefyd yn yr 2il CDLl ar gyfer hyd at 9,704 o dai newydd yn fygythiad pellach i’r Gymraeg barhau a ffynnu yn ein cymunedau.
Mae rhagestyniadau twf poblogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru yn amcangyfrif cynnydd llawer is yn y boblogaeth ac yn gyffredinol mae mwy yn marw nag sydd yn cael eu geni yn Sir Gâr. Yn ôl ffigyrau Llywodraeth Cymru, 4100 o gynnydd yn y boblogaeth a welwyd mewn 10 mlynedd yn 2011.
Dylid ystyried beth yw’r gofynion yn y cymunedau ond mae opsiwn gofodol yn ystyried y defnydd o dir yn hytrach na’r effaith ar y defnydd tir ar y bobol a’r gymuned.
Mae’r opsiwn a ffefrir hefyd yn rhy uchelgeisiol o ran yr economi ag yn anelu at dyfiant llawer rhy gyflym fydd hefyd yn effeithio’n fawr ar y Gymraeg yng nghymunedau’r Sir.
Mae’r Cynllun yn nodi mai mewnfudo yw’r prif ffactor sy’n effeithio ar nifer y boblogaeth yn y Sir a phobol ifanc yw’r nifer fwyaf sy’n gadael y Sir. Mae angen i ni gadw ein pobol ifanc yn y Sir i sicrhau dyfodol a defnydd o’r Gymraeg yn ein cymunedau. Mae angen tai fforddadwy a thai pris cyrraeddiadwy i’n pobol ifanc i’w galluogi i brynu tŷ ag i aros yn y Sir. Mae adeiladu nifer fawr o dai, mawr, drud, allan o gyrraedd y rhai sydd am brynu eu cartref cyntaf.
Mae angen twf graddol a gofalus i ddiogelu a datblygu ein cymunedau i fod yn gymunedau hyfyw. Mae nifer o gadarnleoedd y Gymraeg yn ein pentrefi a chymunedau gwledig ac mae angen cynyddu niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg yn arbennig yn yr ardaloedd hyn.
Byddai 6500-7000 o dai yn ffigwr yn fwy realistig o ran y darpariaeth sydd ei angen gyda 45% o rhain yn dai fforddadwy, canran a awgrymir yn Fframwaith Datlbygu Cenedlaethol 2040 (Llywodraeth Cymru) yn rhoi bron 3000 o dai fforddadwy, a galli hynny gynnwys tai fydd y Cyngor yn eu prynu fel stoc dai hefyd.
Mae Fframwaith Datblygu Cenedlaethol 2040, Llywodraeth Cymru, yn nodi bydd angen 23,400 o dai yn Rhanbarth Canolbarth a De-Orllewin Cymru tan 2039 a thros y 5 mlynedd cyntaf fod angen 45% o rhain i fod yn dai fforddadwy. Mae Sir Gaerfyrddin yn rhan o’r rhanbarth yma sy’n cynnwys poblogaeth o dros 900,00 ac yn cynnwys Castell Nedd Port Talbot ac Abertawe ymhlith yr 8 ardal sydd o fewn y rhanbarth. Mae 8,822 o dai fel a nodir yn yr ail CDLl yn 37.7% o gyfanswm y tai mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn nodi sydd ei angen o fewn y rhanbarth. Nid yw hyn yn realistig nac ymarferol ac yn ategu bod 8,822 yn ffigwr rhy uchel ar gyfer Sir Gaerfyrddin.
Mae angen i ni fod yn uchelgeisiol dros ein cymunedau a pharhad y Gymraeg yn Sir Gaerfyrddin ond rhaid sicrhau bod yr uchelgais wedi’i nodi ar yr elfennau perthnasol fydd yn sicrhau cymunedau ffyniannus er lles ein trigolion. Mae pryder mawr bod cyfanswm y tai a fwriedir yn yr 2il CDLl yn atal ffyniant a pharhad y Gymraeg yn iaith gymunedol yn Sir Gaerfyrddin.
SP8 Y Gymraeg a Diwylliant Cymru
11.173
Nid yw ffigyrau niferoedd siaradwyr Cymraeg yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yng nghyfrifiad 2021 wedi’u hystyried ar gyfer yr 2il CDLl a’r ffigyrau o 2011 sydd wedi’u defnyddio, wedi dyddio. Gan fod y ffigyrau diweddaraf wedi dangos cwymp sylweddol i nifer y siaradwyr o fewn y Sir mae oblygiadau pell gyrhaeddol i’r 2il CDLl o ystyried y ffigyrau’n fanwl. Dylid edrych nid yn unig ar gyfanswm y nifer o siaradwyr Cymraeg, ond ym mhle mae’r nifer uchaf o siaradwyr er mwyn diogelu a datblygu’r Gymraeg yn y cymunedau hynny.
Dylai polisïau cynllunio a fabwysiedir o fewn yr 2il CDLl alluogi parhad a datblygiad y Gymraeg yn iaith fyw ym mhob cymuned o fewn y Sir gyda sylw arbennig yn cael ei roi i’r cymunedau sydd á’r canrannau uchaf o siaradwyr yng nghyfrifiad 2021.
Gan fod y niferoedd wedi gostwng yn sylweddol o fewn y Sir ers cyfrifiad 2011, mae’n amlwg nad yw’r polisïau cynllunio presennol yn ddigonol i barhad y Gymraeg yn iaith hyfyw o fewn y Sir. Rhaid wrth bolisiau cryf i sicrhau bod y Gymraeg yn ffynnu yng nghymunedau’r Sir.
Mae’n rhaid ail edrych ar yr 2il CDLl gan ddefnyddio ffigyrau Cyfrifiad 2021 i sicrhau bod y CDLl yn “hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg a’i diwylliant” (Amcanion Llesiant Sir Gaeryfrdidn 2017-18) “ac mae hefyd yn ymrwymedig i gyfrannu at nod hirdymor Llywodraeth Cymru o sicrhau 1 miliwn o siaradwyr Cymraeg erbyn 2050”(Cymraeg 2050: Miliwn o siaradwyr Cymraeg, Llywodraeth Cymru 2017). Mae Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol yn nodi “Cymru â diwylliant bywiog lle mae’r Gymraeg yn ffynnu” ac mae angen sicrhau bod y ffigyrau o’r cyfrifiad diweddaraf i sicrhau y gall Sir Gaerfyrddin gyrraedd y nod hwnnw.
WL1: Y Gymraeg a Datblygiadau Newydd
Er mwyn sicrhau bod ein cymunedau yn leoliadau “lle mae’r Gymraeg yn ffynnu”, rhaid cael Asesiad o’r Effaith ar y Gymraeg ar gyfer pob datblygiad o 5 tŷ neu fwy yn yr 2il CDLl gan gynnwys y dyraniadau tai sydd ym mholisiau HOM1 a HOM3. Mae pob datblygiad yn mynd i effeithio ar y Gymraeg yn y gymuned.
Nid yw Cynllun Gweithredu Iaith yn ddigonol ar gyfer y datblygiadau hyn nag unrhyw ddatblygiad o fewn y Sir, i sicrhau parhad a thwf y Gymraeg yn iaith hyfyw yn ein cymunedau. Mae angen Asesiad Effaith ar y Gymraeg a wneir yn annibynnol ac allanol ar raddfa a lefel sydd ar gyfer unrhyw asesiad arall e.e. priffyrdd, NRW, cadwraeth. Rhaid i’r Asesiad Effaith ar y Gymraeg gael ei drin a’i drafod hefyd ar yr un statws a’r asesiadau statudol eraill. Mae pwysigrwydd y Gymraeg yng nghymunedau’r Sir yn haeddu’r ystyriaethau ar y lefel hyn er mwyn cyrraedd y nodau a osodir yn neddfwriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru ac yn amcanion a nodau Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin a osodir yn Amcanion Llesiant Sir Gaerfyrddin a Strategaeth y Gymraeg.
Mae angen bod yn rhagweithiol i weld y cynnydd yn y Gymraeg a ddymunwn er lles ein cymunedau.
SP5 Strategaeth Tai Fforddiadwy
AHOM1: Darparu Tai Fforddiadwy – Cyfraniadau Ar-safle
Dylid gosod polisi amodol bod rhai o’r tai fforddiadwy i’w hadeiladu ar ddechrau’r datblygiad neu o leiaf yn rhan o’r 5 neu 10 tŷ cyntaf yn y datblygiad i sicrhau y caiff y tai fforddiadwy eu hadeiladu yn y tymor hir, yn ddi-rwystr.
Mae’n amodol i annedd sengl rhan-dalu swm cyfnewid wrth i’r annedd gael ei adeiladu a dylai amod tebyg i fod yn rhan o gyfraniad ar-safle at dai fforddiadwy hefyd.
Bydd hyn yn galluogi i ymateb i’r galw am dai fforddiadwy ynghynt hefyd gan y bydd yr anheddau ar gael ar ddechrau datblygiad a heb orfod aros i ddatblygiad gael ei gwblhau.
SP11 Yr Economi Ymwelwyr
11.247
Er lles ein cymunedau, a sicrhau tai i bobol leol a thai fforddiadwy i brynwyr cartrefi cyntaf, mae angen gosod cyfyngiadau ar hawliau datblygu a ganiateir i newid anheddau sy’n bodoli eisoes i gartrefi gwyliau, ail gartrefi, a hefyd llety gwyliau dros-dro fel Airbnb. Mae angen gosod canran o gartrefi o’r math yma a ganiateir mewn cymuned i sicrhau bod bywyd cymunedol yn parhau drwy gydol y flwyddyn a chartrefi priodol ar gael i bobol leol.
SP16 Newid yn yr Hinsawdd
Polisi CCH3 – Pwyntiau Gwefru Cerbydau Trydan
11.498/11.499/11.500
Byddai’n fwy addas a chost-effeithiol a chynaladwy i roi pwyntiau gwefru ‘3-fas’ (3-phase) ymhob annedd newydd. Gallai hyn alluogi’r preswylydd i’w defnyddio ar gyfer gwefru trydan a pwmpiau gwresogi. Byddai hyn hefyd yn galluogi’r preswylydd i ddefnyddio’r technoleg diweddaraf pan fyddent ei angen e.e. ni fydd gan bob preswylydd gar trydan yn syth a gallai’r pwynt gwefru trydan EV rhydu a mynd yn ofer yn y cyfamser.
Byddai hefyd yn well i asesu’r ddarpariaeth lleol wrth glustnodi gofodau pwynt gwefru mewn datblygiadau meysydd parcio gan y gallai fod llawer o bwyntiau gwefru yn y cyffiniau neu os nad oes dim byddai angen cynyddu’r 10%.
11.495/11.497
Mae’r heriau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a’r amrywiaeth yn y gofynion yng nghymunedau Sir Gaerfyrddin yn cynnig cyfle i hybu cynlluniau Ceir trydan cymunedol/i’w rhannu a syniadau eraill newydd y dylid eu hystyried yn opsyniau i ateb y gofynion.
CCH6
Wrth wynebu’r argyfwng newid hinsawdd dylid ystyried polisi cryfach nag anogaeth a rhoi ffafriaeth i roi neu gorfodi rhoi paneli solar, er enghraifft, ar bob tŷ mewn datblygiadau newydd yn enwedig ar bob tŷ fforddiadwy. Os yw to’r tŷ yn wynebu’r de, gorllewin neu’r dwyrain mae hwn yn ddewis fyddai’n gost effeithiol ar sawl lefel ag yn ateb cymharol syml ag effeithiol i leihau allyriadau carbon. Mae paneli solar ar gael sy’n gallu cael eu rhoi yn y to fyddai’n arbed gwario ar osod teils ar y to.
CHH7: Newid yn yr Hinsawdd – Fforestydd, Coetiroedd a Phlannu Coed
Tra’n cydnabod pwysigrwydd plannu coed a choetiroedd fel ymatebion i’r argyfwng hinsawdd, mae cynlluniau i brynu ffermydd lleol er mwyn cyflawni hyn yn tanseilio’r polisi. Dylid mabwysiadu opsiynau a chynlluniau i ffermwyr lleol i ddefnyddio rhan o’u tir i blannu’r coed a choetiroedd.
Byddai hyn yn sicrhau amddiffyn yr amgylchedd, treftadaeth ddiwylliannol, cymunedau a’n tirwedd ag yn sicrhau bywiolaeth i gadw’n pobol ifanc yng nghefn gwlad.
4 Sir Gaerfyrddin – Cyd-destun Strategol
Trosolwg pwynt 4.48
Tra’n cydnabod pwysigrywdd treftadaeth adeiledig y Sir, mae hyn yn her mawr yng ngyd-destun yr argyfwng newid hinsawdd yn arbennig mewn tref fel Llanymddyfri lle nad oes modd, ar hyn o bryd, i osod ynni adnewyddadwy fel paneli solar ar adeiladau’r dre. Nid yw’n ardal addas ar gyfer melinau gwynt chwaith ac mae hynny’n rhoi her arbennig i’r dref i fod yn gynaladwy.
Yn sgil yr argyfwng sydd o ran newid hinsawdd, mae angen datrys y math yma o sefyllfaoedd a chael hyblygrwydd gan fod paneli solar, er enghraifft, yn osodiad dros-dro a ddim yn amharu ar strwythur yr adeiladau.
SP1 Strategic Growth 8 Growth Options
SP8 Welsh Language and Culture
8,822 is too high a number of houses in a relatively short period of time which will be very detrimental to the Welsh language in Carmarthenshire. There is also provision in the 2nd LDP for up to 9,704 new homes which poses a further threat to the Welsh language in terms of its continuity and its ability to thrive in our communities.
The Welsh Government's population growth projections estimate a much lower increase in population and overall more die than are born in Carmarthenshire. According to Welsh Government figures, in 2011 a population increase of 4100 was observed over 10 years.
Consideration should be given to what the requirements are in the communities, but a spatial option considers the land use rather than the impact of the land use on the people and the community.
The preferred option is also too ambitious in terms of the economy and it aims for far too rapid growth which will also greatly impact the Welsh language in the County's communities.
The Scheme identifies immigration as the main factor affecting population numbers in the County and young people are the largest number leaving the County. We need to keep our young people in the County to ensure the future and use of Welsh in our communities. We need affordable housing and housing at an attainable price for our young people to enable them to buy a house and stay in the County. Building a large number of large, expensive houses is out of reach for those who want to buy their first home.
Gradual and careful growth is needed to protect and develop our communities into viable communities. Many of the Welsh language strongholds are located in our villages and rural communities and the numbers of Welsh speakers need to be increased in these areas in particular.
A figure of 6500-7000 houses would be more realistic in terms of the provision needed with 45% of these being affordable housing, a percentage suggested in the National Development Framework 2040 (Welsh Government). This would provide almost 3000 affordable homes, which could include houses that the Council will buy as housing stock as well.
The Welsh Government's National Development Framework 2040 states that 23,400 houses will be needed in the Mid and South West Wales Region until 2039 and over the first 5 years 45% of these are required to be affordable housing. Carmarthenshire is part of this region which includes a population of over 900,00 and includes Neath Port Talbot and Swansea among the 8 areas within the region. 8,822 houses as set out in the second LDP is 37.7% of the total number of housing that is identified by the Welsh Government as being required within the region. This is neither realistic nor practical and reinforces that the figure of 8,822 is too high for Carmarthenshire.
We need to be ambitious for our communities and the continuation of the Welsh language in Carmarthenshire but we must ensure that the ambition is based on the relevant elements that will ensure thriving communities for the benefit of our residents. There is great concern that the total number of houses intended in the 2nd LDP is preventing the prosperity and continuation of Welsh as a community language in Carmarthenshire.
SP8 Welsh Language and Culture
11.173
The figures for the number of Welsh speakers in Carmarthenshire in the 2021 census have not been considered for the 2nd LDP and the figures from 2011 that have been used, are out of date. As the latest figures have shown a significant drop in the number of speakers within the County the 2nd LDP has far-reaching implications when considering the figures in detail. One should look not only at the total number of Welsh speakers, but also where the highest numbers of speakers are located in order to protect and develop the Welsh language in those communities.
Planning policies adopted within the 2nd LDP should enable the continuation and development of Welsh as a living language in all communities within the County, with particular attention given to the communities with the highest percentages of speakers in the 2021 census.
As numbers have decreased significantly within the County since the 2011 census, it is clear that the current planning policies are not sufficient for the continuation of Welsh as a viable language within the County. Robust policies are required to ensure that the Welsh language thrives in the County's communities.
The 2nd LDP must be revisited using 2021 Census figures to ensure that the LDP "promotes Welsh language and culture" (Carmarthenshire Well-being Objectives 2017-18) "and is also committed to contributing to the Welsh Government's long-term goal of achieving 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050" (Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers, Welsh Government 2017). The Well-being of Future Generations Act states "A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language" and the figures from the latest census need to be upheld to ensure that Carmarthenshire is able to achieve that goal.
WL1: Welsh Language and New Developments
To ensure that our communities are locations "of thriving Welsh language", a Welsh Language Impact Assessment must be held for all developments of 5 or more houses in the 2nd LDP including the housing allocations included in the HOM1 and HOM3 policies. Every development is going to impact the Welsh language in the community.
The Language Action Plan is not sufficient for these developments or any development within the County, to ensure the continuity and growth of Welsh as a viable language in our communities. A Welsh Language Impact Assessment is required which is undertaken independently and externally at a similar scale and level as would be for any other assessment e.g. highways, NRW, conservation. The Welsh Language Impact Assessment must also be dealt with and discussed with the same status as the other statutory assessments. The importance of the Welsh language in the County's communities deserves to be considered at this level in order to reach the goals set out in Welsh Government legislations and in Carmarthenshire County Council's objectives and aims set out in Carmarthenshire's Wellbeing Objectives and the Welsh Language Strategy.
We need to be proactive to see the increase in the Welsh language that we desire for the benefit of our communities.
SP5 Affordable Homes Strategy
AHOM1: Provision of Affordable Homes - On-site Contributions
A conditional policy should be set that some of the affordable homes are to be built at the beginning of the development or at least as part of the first 5 or 10 houses in the development to ensure that the affordable homes are built unhindered in the long term.
It is conditional for a single dwelling to pay in part a Commuted Sum as the dwelling is built and a similar condition should also be part of an on-site contribution to affordable homes.
This will also enable an earlier response to the demand for affordable homes as the dwellings will be available at the beginning of development and without having to wait for development to be completed.
SP11 The Visitor Economy
11.247
For the benefit of our communities, and to ensure housing for local people and affordable homes for first home buyers, restrictions need to be placed on permitted development rights to change existing dwellings into holiday homes, second homes, and also temporary holiday accommodation such as Airbnb. A percentage of this type of homes allowed in a community needs to be set to ensure that community life continues throughout the year and that suitable homes are available to local people.
SP16 Climate Change
Policy CCH3 – Electric Vehicle Charging Points
11.498/11.499/11.500
It would be more suitable and cost-effective and sustainable to install 3-phase charging points in all new dwellings. This could enable the resident to use them for electric charging and heating pumps. This would also enable the occupant to use the latest technology when they need it e.g. not every resident will have an electric car at once and the EV electric charging point could rust and go to waste in the meantime.
It would also be better to assess local provision when allocating charging points in car park developments as there may be many charging points in the vicinity or if there are none the 10% required would need to be increased.
11.495/11.497
The public transport challenges and the diversity of requirements within Carmarthenshire communities offer an opportunity to promote community/shared electric car schemes and other new ideas that should be considered as options to meet the requirements.
CCH6
When facing the climate change crisis, more robust policy should be considered than encouragement and preference should be given to installing or enforcing the installation of solar panels, for example, on all houses in new developments particularly on all affordable homes. If the roof of the house faces south, west or east this is an option that would be cost effective on many levels as a relatively simple and effective solution to reduce carbon emissions. There are solar panels available that can be installed in the roof that would save spending on installing tiles on the roof.
CCH7: Climate Change – Forest, Woodland, and Tree Planting
While recognising the importance of planting trees and woodlands as responses to the climate crisis, schemes to buy local farms to achieve this undermine the policy. Options and schemes should be adopted for local farmers to use part of their land to plant the trees and woodlands.
This would ensure that the environment, cultural heritage, communities and landscape are protected and would ensure livelihoods to retain our young people in the countryside.
4 Carmarthenshire – Strategic Context
Point 4.48 overview
Whilst recognising the importance of the County's built heritage, this is a major challenge in the context of the climate change crisis, particularly in a town such as Llandovery where it is currently not possible to install renewable energy such as solar panels on town buildings. It's also not a suitable area for wind turbines and that poses the town a particular challenge to be sustainable.
In light of the climate change crisis, these kind of situations need to be resolved and there needs to be flexibility as solar panels, for example, are a temporary installation and do not impair the structure of the buildings.
