PrC3/h14
Gwrthwynebu
Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin
ID sylw: 4999
Derbyniwyd: 14/04/2023
Ymatebydd: Mr Phillip Jones
Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Ydi
Cadarn? Nac Ydi
I wish to strongly object to the proposed extensive housing development on land at Nantydderwen Drefach. An increase in the volume of traffic on the estate would endanger both children and pedestrians.
My objection is also based on the effect that such a development would have on our local services. Direct services for example the sewerage system and indirect services such as the school.
Leave the land as it is.
“Carmarthenshire County Council has a responsibility to address the nature and climate emergencies and is also committed to protect, conserve and enhance our natural environment and help pollinating insects where we can”
(Quote from a letter received from Carmarthenshire. County Council in 2022)
I wish to strongly object to the proposed extensive housing development on land at Nantydderwen Drefach. An increase in the volume of traffic on the estate would endanger both children and pedestrians.
My objection is also based on the effect that such a development would have on our local services. Direct services for example the sewerage system and indirect services such as the school.
Disagree, the allocation of the site within the LDP for residential purposes has been subject to full consideration through the site assessment methodology. As part of this assessment process a detailed site pro forma has been prepared.
Gwrthwynebu
Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin
ID sylw: 5067
Derbyniwyd: 12/04/2023
Ymatebydd: Evans Banks Planning Limited
Asiant : Evans Banks Planning Limited
Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Heb nodi
Cadarn? Nac Ydi
Objection to housing allocation PrC13/h4 under policy HOM1:
It is considered that the continued inclusion of this allocation will lead to the Plan failing the 3 Tests of Soundness for the reasons set out in the supporting statement, namely:
Test 1 - 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).
Test 2 - 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).
Test 3 - The allocation fails to test the soundness as the site is clearly unable to deliver any new housing.
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
Disagree, the allocation of the site within the LDP for residential purposes has been subject to full consideration through the site assessment methodology. As part of this assessment process a detailed site pro forma has been prepared.
Gwrthwynebu
Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin
ID sylw: 5267
Derbyniwyd: 12/04/2023
Ymatebydd: Sauro Homes Limited
Asiant : Evans Banks Planning Limited
Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Heb nodi
Cadarn? Nac Ydi
Objection to the inclusion of PrC3/h14 Nantydderwen Drefach citing concerns over its deliverability.
Remove housing allocation PrC3/h14 from the Plan.
We are instructed by Sauro Homes Limited to a make a formal representation to the
“soundness” of the Second Deposit Draft of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan.
Our clients made a formal Candidate Site Submission in August 2018, which was referenced
SR/138/023, seeking inclusion of their land for future residential development within the
defined settlement limits of Bancffosfelen within the Replacement Local Development Plan.
The Site off Bro Mebyd comprises an undulating former grazing field which is set south-west
of a recently completed housing development. That site of Bro Mebyd comprises a total of
19 houses and bungalows which benefitted from a full planning permission, referenced
S/32841.
The Candidate Site submission in August 2018 sought to include this first phase of
completed development together with a second phase field within the draft settlement limits
of the Local Development Plan, with an estate road branching off the first phase into the
adjoining field.
We have noted that the first phase of Bro Mebyd as completed continues to be included
within the draft settlement limits of the Second Draft of the LDP as Site SeC11/h2. This
formal Representation relates solely to the unsuccessful part of the Candidate Site.
The Council have published a “Site Assessment Table” (January 2023) which provides
details of the Council’s analysis of each received Candidate Site submission, and in the case
of our clients’ submission, reasons why the site was not selected for inclusion within the draft
settlement limits of Bancffosfelen, as contained within the Second Deposit Draft. We note
that the submission successfully passed through Stage 1 (site compatible against the
location of future growth presented in the Preferred Strategy) and Stage 2A (Initial Detailed Site Assessment) of the Council’s site assessment.
It proceeded through a detailed assessment at Stage 2B (further detailed site assessment) and Stage 3 being a Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Assessment. The reasons for non-inclusion of the south-western field / phase 2 are not given within the Site Assessment merely stating as follows:
“Part of the site to be allocated for residential development. Site reference is SeC11/h2.”
Our clients consider the LDP is “unsound” and should be changed, as it fails to meet the tests for “soundness,” in that the Plan “is not appropriate”, and “will not deliver”, as defined by the Planning Inspectorate’s LDP Examinations Procedural Guidance.
Specifically, our clients consider that the draft settlement limits for Bancffosfelen, as defined under Policy SD1 “Settlement Limits”, should be amended to include the land as edged in red upon the extract of the Proposals Map for Bancffosfelen, as reproduced below in Figure 1. The land should be appropriately allocated for housing under Policy HOM1 “Housing Allocations.”
Figure 1 – Extract from Second Draft Proposals Map with site edged in red
This formal representation letter supplements the following documents which comprise a complete submission to the Second Deposit Draft Consultation stage:
- Completed Deposit LDP Representation Form
- Completed Sustainability Appraisal form
- Location plan and indicative site layout plan
Response to Council’s Reasons for Non-Inclusion
of Site within Settlement Limits
1.0 Physical Connection to Recently Completed Residential Site
1.1 The Candidate Site relates to part of the former farm holding of Ffynnon Fach. That former farmhouse and associated former farm outbuildings lie to the eastern side of the Candidate Site field. The south-western field lies directly off Bro Mebyd, with the estate road of that new development site able to be extended to allow a new cul-de-sac formation to be formulated.
1.2 The south-western field is undulating and occupies a land area of 1.2 hectares (4.5 acres) and is bounded by a continuous series of linear hedgerows, with occasional trees within that perimeter. It consists of semi-improved grassland, which has been grazed for generations and offers little in terms of biodiversity given its well-manage agricultural status.
1.3 The Candidate Site sought inclusion of the entire holding at Ffynnon Fach, with three additional field enclosures set south of the current south-western field, and south of Ffynnon Fach yard and outbuildings. Those southern fields are no longer sought for inclusion in the Local Development Plan, and the Applicants merely seek the inclusion of one former grazing field as presented upon the indicative site layout plan reproduced below. A total of 37 dwellinghouses can be accommodated over a cul-de-sac layout, with each house equipped with side driveways to provide off-road parking, together with traditional rear garden space.
Figure 2 – Site Layout Plan of Second Phase of Bro Mebyd
1.4 The physical features of the Candidate Site are shown by Google Earth, which has captured the setting and physical form of the site in that the “defensible” boundary at the site is the encirclement of mature hedgerows, with the Ffynnon Fach house and associated yard and outbuildings providing a definitive built development off its eastern and south-eastern flank. Figure 3 below illustrates the current physical form.
Figure 3 - Extract from Google Earth (June 2021) illustrating the recent housing development at Bro Mebyg and Ffynnon Fach buildings to the east of the elongated field
1.5 The above site layout plans illustrate that development will appear as one consolidated form off an established access off Heol-y-Banc (B4306 road), which already has been formed to cater for the additional traffic which would be generated by a second phase. In short, the development of the south-western field provides a logical extension to the settlement of Bancffosfelen, and which is bordered on two flanks by established built development.
2 Overall Housing Supply at Ammanford / Cross Hands with Deposit Draft
2.1 The proposals under this Representation seek the addition of circa 37 residential units to the overall housing supply of the Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster. Bancffosfelen is categorised as a Service Centre SeC11, which forms part of the Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster as defined within the draft LDP.
The Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster aims to provide an additional 1257 residential units over the Plan period to 2033, and thus the addition of an allocated site of 37 units will not lead to an over-supply of dwellinghouses within the Cluster.
Policy HOM1 of the Draft Plan indicates that two sites are allocated for residential development in Bancffosfelen (Figure 4 below). Bro Mebyd’s 19 units have already been completed as SeC11/h2. Figure 5 below illustrates those two sites, with the other site being Llannon Road capable of accommodating only 15 units.
Figure 4 - Extract from Proposlas Map indicating only two sites for housing
Figure 4 – HOM1 allocations in Bancffosfelen
2.3 We have examined and researched sites which have been brought forward as Residential Allocations with the Second Deposit Draft. On behalf of clients in this LDP Cluster, we have made formal Representations seeking the omission of the following draft Allocations:
Site PrC3/h14 - Nantydderwen - for 33 Units.
The land was allocated Carmarthenshire Unitary Development Plan (2006). No progress was made in bringing the site forward, and yet it was allocated within the Local Development Plan in 2014. Consequently, twenty years of Development Plan allocations have elapsed without any signs of delivery of this site. Clearly, there is no historic demand for a site of this scale in this part of the Drefach area. More physically challenging sites, such as Cae Coch, Cae Pound at Cross Hands and Heol-y-Parc at Cefneithin have come forward despite topographic issues and previous ground contamination, and yet still the Council is prepared to allocate the site once again in a new Development Plan. The land is relatively level with immediate access onto the local highway network.
The decision to retain Nantydderwen after a period of 20 years within the LDP is shown to be inconsistent, as does not sit with LDP Procedural Guidance which encourages Local Planning Authorities to only re-allocate sites based upon firm evidence of deliverability.
2.4 Site PrC3/h22 Land at Pant-y-Blodau in Penygroes for 79 units.
The land was allocated Carmarthenshire Unitary Development Plan (2006). The site was carried over and allocated as GA3/h35 in the Adopted 2014 LDP for 90 units. Planning Permission was granted in April 2015, and yet some 8 years later, no work has been undertaken on the site, and the land remains undeveloped. No indication is provided within the Site Assessment Report (January 2023) as to why the Council consider this long-standing allocation to remain in the Plan?
2.5 We submit that the draft allocations at Nantydderwen and Pantyblodau be omitted from the Plan, and that housing allocations be redistributed to modest Candidate Sites, of up to 37 units such as that proposed as a second phase of Bro Mebyd in Bancffosfelen.
2.6 There is clear evidence in the success and roll out of all 19 houses at Bro Mebyd that this site can be delivered and fulfil the housing need in Bancffosfelen. Such modest sites are far more likely to be brought forward and developed in full by regional and small housebuilders given that construction and development costs are more likely to be viable in relation to house sales and the general housing market in this part of Carmarthenshire.
2.7 In the case of Bro Mebyd its completion is a strong indicator of a healthy property market at Bancffosfelen. Consequently, it is a location where housing proposals are deliverable, assisting to meet housing needs in this part of the Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster.
In conclusion, this Representation to the Deposit Draft of the Revised LDP has sought to examine the Council’s reasons for non-inclusion of a Candidate Site.
Our clients have illustrated that their indicative proposals to construct circa 37 dwellinghouses. The locality has numerous examples of modern cul-de-sac development being completed at backland locations, which in turn, advocates that the form of
development proposed at Bro Mebyd is no different, resulting in it being respectful to the character and setting of the locality.
We respectfully request that this Representation be given careful examination, and consequently the defined settlement limits of this part of Bancffosfelen realigned to include the Representation Site, as a Residential Allocation in the Proposals Map of the adopted Local Development Plan.
Disagree, the allocation of the site within the LDP for residential purposes has been subject to full consideration through the site assessment methodology. As part of this assessment process a detailed site pro forma has been prepared.
Gwrthwynebu
Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin
ID sylw: 5301
Derbyniwyd: 14/04/2023
Ymatebydd: Gorslas Community Council
Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Heb nodi
Cadarn? Heb nodi
In regard to housing allocation PrC3/h14, the following comments have been submitted in objection:
Any proposed future development of the site take into account:
• The existing Surface Water issues
• Impact of additional traffic.
• The effect on the current high level of Anti Social Behaviour.
• Lack of amenities for residents.
No change to the Pan.
Firstly may I thank you , on behalf of Gorslas Community Council, for the opportunity to comment on the revised and updated LDP Plan.
Members have noted that cognisance has been taken of the views previously submitted by the Community Council and that revisions have been made such as those relating to Bron Yr Ynn. It is much appreciated.
There was also an appreciation of the value of having a strategic framework for any future developments helping to define the future shape and scale of the communities and area for the future. It helps provide clarity and surety for all.
In relation to the proposals in the revised plan members wished to offer the following observations:-
1.0 Drefach Ward: Nantydderwen Site.
Any proposed future development of the site take into account:
• The existing Surface Water issues
• Impact of additional traffic.
• The effect on the current high level of Anti Social Behaviour.
• Lack of amenities for residents.
2.0 Drefach Ward: Sites opposite Drefach Primary School.
• Consideration be given to the possibility of further housing developments creating a "rat run" in areas where children regularly play.
It would be appreciated if you could kindly include the issues highlighted above as part of the process of review.
Should you require further information , or clarification, in relation to these matters please do ot hesitate to contact me direct.
Disagree, the allocation of the site within the LDP for residential purposes has been subject to full consideration through the site assessment methodology. As part of this assessment process a detailed site pro forma has been prepared.
Gwrthwynebu
Ail Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Adneuo Diwygiedig Sir Gaerfyrddin
ID sylw: 5935
Derbyniwyd: 13/04/2023
Ymatebydd: Nisa Local Drefach Limited
Asiant : Evans Banks Planning Limited
Cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith? Heb nodi
Cadarn? Heb nodi
The Land was allocated Carmarthenshire Unitary Development Plan (2006). No progress was made in bringing the site forward, and yet it was allocated within the Local Development Plan in 2014. Consequently, twenty years of Development Plan allocations have elapsed without any signs of delivery of this site. Clearly,
there is no historic demand for a site of this scale in this part of the Drefach area.
More physically challenging sites, such as Cae Coch, Cae Pound at Cross Hands and Heol-y-Parc at Cefneithin have come forward despite topographic issues and previous ground contamination, and yet still the Council is prepared to allocate the site once again in a new Development Plan. The land is relatively level with immediate access onto the local highway network.
The decision to retain Nantydderwen after a period of 20 years within the LDP is shown to be inconsistent, as does not sit with LDP Procedural Guidance which encourages Local Planning Authorities to only re-allocate sites based upon firm evidence of deliverability.
Remove the site from the plan
We are instructed by Nisa Local Drefach Limited to a make a formal representation to the
“soundness” of the Second Deposit Draft of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan.
Our clients made a formal Candidate Site Submission in August 2018, which was referenced
SR/049/019, seeking inclusion of their land for future residential development within the
defined settlement limits of Drefach within the Replacement Local Development Plan. The
Site off Heol Caegwyn comprises an industrial warehousing yard which is set at a backland
position off the eastern flank of Heol Caegwyn. The site is odd in that it forms a commercial
property which has residential development set immediately adjoining along the frontage of
Heol Caegwyn, with the rear garden boundaries of those properties sharing a common
boundary of some 113 metres with the industrial yard.
Planning permission has been sought to demolish the warehousing buildings on the site and
construct detached and semi-detached dwellinghouses across the central swath of the yard.
The rear boundary of the yard takes the form of a linear hedgerow established off the
northern boundary of an associated yard, located directly off the rear elevations of the
existing warehousing buildings.
The Candidate Site submission in August 2018 sought to include this rear yard within the
draft settlement limits of the Local Development Plan. However, we note in checking the
Council’s reasoning as to why they have not included this portion of the Maesygwern site
that they have incorrectly plotted the boundaries of the Candidate Site submission. The
above Candidate Site reference is shown as the majority of the warehousing yard, subject to
a current application for planning permission and does not include the rear yard, to which the actual Candidate Site submission focussed upon.
We have noted that the majority of the former commercial yard at Maesygwern continues to be included within the draft settlement limits of the second Draft of the LDP. However the adjoining, northern associated yard has not been included. This formal Representation relates solely to the unsuccessful part of the Candidate Site.
The Council have published a “Site Assessment Table” (January 2023) which provides details of the Council’s analysis of each received Candidate Site submission, and in the case of our clients’ submission, reasons why the site was not selected for inclusion within the draft settlement limits of Tycroes, as contained within the Second Deposit Draft. We note that the submission successfully passed through Stage 1 (site compatible against the location of future growth presented in the Preferred Strategy) and Stage 2A (Initial Detailed Site Assessment) of the Council’s site assessment.
However, it was rejected at Stage 2B (further detailed site assessment), with reasons for non-inclusion reported as follows:
“Site to be included within the development limits to reflect the existing built form. The site will not be allocated for residential use as there are concerns regarding its deliverability.”
Our clients consider the LDP is “unsound” and should be changed, as it fails to meet the tests for “soundness”, in that the Plan “is not appropriate”, and “will not deliver”, as defined by the Planning Inspectorate’s LDP Examinations Procedural Guidance.
Specifically, our clients consider that the draft settlement limits for Drefach, as defined under Policy SD1 “Settlement Limits”, should be amended to include the land as edged in red upon the extract of the Proposals Map for Drefach, as reproduced below in Figure 1. The land should be appropriately allocated for housing under Policy HOM1 “Housing Allocations.”
Figure 1 – Extract from Second Draft Proposals Map with site edged in red
This formal representation letter supplements the following documents which comprise a complete submission to the Second Deposit Draft Consultation stage:
- Completed Deposit LDP Representation Form
- Completed Sustainability Appraisal form
Response to Council’s Reasons for Non-Inclusion
of Site within Settlement Limits
1.0 Non-Inclusion based on Existing Built Form
1.1 The Candidate Site relates to part of an industrial warehousing yard which is set at a backland position off the eastern flank of Heol Caegwyn. The site is odd in that it forms a commercial property which has residential development set immediately adjoining along the frontage of Heol Caegwyn, with the rear garden boundaries of those properties sharing a common boundary of some 113 metres with the industrial yard.
1.2 The warehousing yard occupies a land area of 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) and has the benefit of two vehicular accesses, both consisting of surfaced tracks lying between established residential properties. The warehousing buildings themselves are inter-connecting but comprise three different phases of industrial sheds constructed at different periods during the use of the land for warehousing. Consequently, each building has a different floorspace, roof span, height and materials differ throughout.
1.3 The Candidate Site sought inclusion of the northern, rear part of the warehousing yard into the settlement limits of the Local Development Plan, with the existing buildings and sheds already included. The settlement limit runs immediately off the rear, northern elevation of those sheds leaving a yard depth of some 24 to 31 metres extending northwards to a well-defined hedgerow and part tree-lined perimeter with neighbouring grazing pasture. That rear yard has been used in the past to externally store plant, machinery and materials, as well as park and manoeuvre vehicles.
1.4 The long rear gardens of Heol Caegwyn properties extend to run parallel with the eastern boundary of the yard, which is marked by a copse of trees. The western side perimeter is marked by a mature hedgerow to open pasture beyond which extends around to the afore-mentioned long, rear perimeter.
1.5 The Candidate Site is actually only 0.3 hectares (0.75 acres) being the remaining rear yard and is identified by being edged in red on the plans below. Plan A illustrates their wider position with the settlement of Drefach, whilst Plan B provides a detailed Ordnance Survey map extract with the site perimeters identified.
Plan A – Setting of Site in wider Drefach context
Detailed OS Plan - Plan B
1.6 The Council consider the warehousing yard as a “site to be included within the development limits to reflect the existing built form.” However, the setting of the limits
does not reflect its existing built form given that it does not include all of the rear yard which forms an integral and fundamental part of the site.
1.7 Google Earth has captured the setting and physical form of the site in that the “defensible” boundary at the site is the rear boundary fence which acts to formally define the transition from brownfield yard to agricultural enclosure and woodland.
Figure 2 - Extract from Google Earth (June 2021) illustrating extent of rear yard and northern boundary with adjoining pasture
1.8 We therefore consider that the Council has adopted a rather inconsistent approach in the spatial pattern of setting development limits. It is abundantly clear that the warehouse as a whole is bounded by established hedgerows and individual trees. To draw an arbituary limit across this yard is unreasonable, and prevents the logical redevelopment of this brownfield site.
1.9 We refer the Council to the consistent and longstanding approach held in National Planning Policy, being the overriding guidance in Planning Policy Wales that new development should also be initially steered to re-developing brownfield sites, before considering greenfield options as alternatives. To exclude the rear yard at Maesygwern is to deny the landowner the opportunity to ensure that all brownfield development is removed and redeveloped as a whole warehousing yard site.
1.10 The Candidate Site submission included a site layout plan, illustrating how the site as a whole could be developed (Figure 4 below). This should be compared to the site layout presented under Planning Permission W/35156. That application has reached a point where all consultees have no objections to the scheme to develop 12 dwellinghouses within the existing and adopted settlement limits (Figure 3).
Figure 3 – site layout plan as presented under Application W/35156
Figure 4 – Site layout plan of Representation Site, which includes whole yard site at Maesygwern
1.10 The above site layout plans illustrate that the warehousing yard could be completed as a whole off a singular access to Heol Caegwyn, and contribute a further 10 dwellinghouse, to bring the site to a combined total of 24 units.
2 Overall Housing Supply at Ammanford / Cross Hands with Deposit Draft
2.1 The proposals under this Representation merely seek the addition of circa 10 residential units to the overall housing supply of Ammanford / Cross Hands. Drefach forms part of the principal service centre centring upon the Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster as defined within the draft LDP.
The Ammanford / Cross Hands Cluster aims to provide an additional 1257 residential units over the Plan period to 2033, and thus the addition of an allocated site of 10 units will not lead to an over-supply of dwellinghouses within the Cluster.
2.2 We have examined and researched sites which have been brought forward as Residential Allocations with the Deposit Draft. Only three sites are allocated for housing in Drefach, but one at Cae Coch has already been fully completed by Haywood Homes. Figure 5 below illustrates those three sites at Cae Coch, Nantydderwen and Heol Caegwyn.
Figure 5 - Extract from Proposlas Map indicating the three sites for housing
Figure 6 – HOM1 allocations in Drefach
2.3 We have examined and researched sites which have been brought forward as Residential Allocations with the Second Deposit Draft. On behalf of clients in this LDP Cluster, we have made formal Representations seeking the omission of the following draft Allocations:
Site PrC3/h14 - Nantydderwen - for 33 Units.
The Land was allocated Carmarthenshire Unitary Development Plan (2006). No progress was made in bringing the site forward, and yet it was allocated within the Local Development Plan in 2014. Consequently, twenty years of Development Plan allocations have elapsed without any signs of delivery of this site. Clearly, there is no historic demand for a site of this scale in this part of the Drefach area. More physically challenging sites, such as Cae Coch, Cae Pound at Cross Hands and Heol-y-Parc at Cefneithin have come forward despite topographic issues and previous ground contamination, and yet still the Council is prepared to allocate the site once again in a new Development Plan. The land is relatively level with immediate access onto the local highway network.
The decision to retain Nantydderwen after a period of 20 years within the LDP is shown to be inconsistent, as does not sit with LDP Procedural Guidance which encourages Local Planning Authorities to only re-allocate sites based upon firm evidence of deliverability.
2.4 Site PrC3/h22 Land at Pant-y-Blodau in Penygroes for 79 units.
The site was allocated as GA3/h35 in the Adopted 2014 LDP for 90 units. Planning Permission was granted in April 2015, and yet some 8 years later, no work has been undertaken on the site, and the land remains undeveloped. No indication is provided within the Site Assessment Report (January 2023) as to why the Council consider this long-standing allocation to remain in the Plan?
2.5 We submit that the draft allocations at Nantydderwen and Pantyblodau be omitted from the Plan, and that housing allocations be redistributed to modest Candidate Sites, of up to 24 units such as that proposed at Maesygwern at Heol Caegwyn.
2.6 There is clear evidence in Drefach and Cefneithin that such modest sites are far more likely to be brought forward and developed in full by regional and small housebuilders given that construction and development costs are more likely to be viable in relation to house sales and the general housing market in this part of Carmarthenshire.
2.7 In the case of Heol Caegwyn, there are little signs within the immediate locality of properties for sale, and no evidence of undeveloped land available within this part of the settlement limits, which is a strong indicator of a healthy property market at Drefach. Consequently, it is a location where housing proposals are deliverable, assisting to meet housing needs in this part of Ammanford / Cross Hands.
In conclusion, this Representation to the Deposit Draft of the Revised LDP has sought to examine the Council’s reasons for non-inclusion of a Candidate Site.
Our clients have illustrated that their indicative proposals to construct circa 24 dwellinghouses, wit 10 under this Representation as a second phase to the former commercial yard re-development will not appear at odds to the prevailing spatial pattern of development in Drefach. The locality has numerous examples of modern cul-de-sac development being completed at backland locations, which in turn, advocates that the form of development proposed at Maesygwern is no different, resulting in it being respectful to the character and setting of the locality.
We respectfully request that this Representation be given careful examination, and consequently the defined settlement limits of this part of Drefach realigned to include the Representation Site, as a Residential Allocation in the Proposals Map of the adopted Local Development Plan.
Disagree, the allocation of the site within the LDP for residential purposes has been subject to full consideration through the site assessment methodology. As part of this assessment process a detailed site pro forma has been prepared.