- November 29, 2018
- Posted by: Mick Antoniw AM
- Category: Featured, Latest News
I’m disappointed that the application for a 440 home development at Ystrad Barwig has been approved. As was the case when this application was first presented in 2015, the matter now moves on to the next stage in the process. I’ve written to Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for planning and will continue to work with local Councillors and residents to oppose this development. Here’s the text of my letter to Lesley Griffiths:
Dear Lesley
Re: Planning application for the construction of c.440 homes on land at Ystrad Barwig Isaf, Crown Hill, Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, CF38 1BL (Ref: 18/0872/13)
On 22nd November 2018 Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council approved this application, which will now be referred to you.
This application is a modified version of the application made for the same site in 2015 (Ref: 15/1295/13), and was ultimately refused by you on the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate.
I have supported local residents in opposing this development, which I believe to be unsustainable in terms of transport infrastructure and local GP services, and – as the Planning Inspector’s report highlighted – because of the flood risk it poses to the local area.
I am disappointed and surprised that RCT CBC has approved this plan. Whilst the new application’s configuration has been modified so that houses do not sit directly on the C2 flood plain, the development’s footprint is almost identical to the original application, meaning that the development as a whole (and its infrastructure such as pathways) do.
The Planning Inspectorate’s view is very clear on this important point. In his report to you on 05 July 2017 he stated:
“Irrespective that the majority of the site is not located within zone C2…the proposed scheme has to be considered in its totality and the fact of the matter is that at present part of the proposal is where vulnerable development would be sited; in such instances TAN 15 makes it quite clear that highly vulnerable development should not be permitted.”
At the Planning Inspectorate hearing the developer offered to ‘mitigate risk’ by reconfiguring the housing plan to remove housing from the C2 area. In response, the Planning Inspector reaffirmed the position, stating:
“…or that following the proposed mitigation works all of the site would be removed from zone C2… the proposed scheme has to be considered in its totality.”
In your letter refusing the original application, you underlined this key point, stating:
“[The Inspector] notes paragraph 6.2 of TAN 15 leaves no doubt as to what is required and is quite categorical, highly vulnerable development, such as the residential development proposed, should not be permitted in Zone C2 of the floodplain.”
I believe that the Planning Inspectorate has made it absolutely clear that this is an inappropriate development, which presents a genuine flood risk to the local community. As the local constituency Assembly Member I fully endorse the Planning Inspector’s position and urge you to reject this application.
Yours sincerely,
Mick Antoniw
Assembly Member for Pontypridd
Annwyl Lesley
Parthed: Cais cynllunio ar gyfer adeiladu tua 440 o dai ar dir yn Ystrad Barwig Isaf, Crown Hill, Llanilltud Faerdref, Pontypridd, CF38 1BL (Cyfeirnod: 18/0872/13)
Ar 22 Tachwedd 2018, cymeradwyodd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf y cais, a fydd yn cael ei gyfeirio atoch chi nawr.
Mae’r cais hwn yn fersiwn ddiwygiedig o’r cais a wnaed ar gyfer yr un safle yn 2015 (Cyfeirnod: 15/1295/13), ond cafodd y cais ei wrthod gennych chi ar sail argymhelliad yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio.
Rwyf wedi cefnogi gwrthwynebiad trigolion lleol i’r datblygiad hwn gan ei fod yn anghynaliadwy yn fy marn i o ran seilwaith trafnidiaeth a gwasanaethau meddyg teulu lleol, ac – fel y pwysleisiodd adroddiad yr Arolygydd Cynllunio – yn sgil y perygl o lifogydd y gallai ei achosi i’r ardal leol.
Rwy’n siomedig ac wedi fy synnu bod CBS RhCT wedi cymeradwyo’r cynllun. Er bod ffurfwedd y cais newydd wedi’i addasu fel nad yw tai’n cael eu codi’n uniongyrchol ar orlifdir C2, mae ôl-troed y datblygiad bron yn union yr un fath â’r cais gwreiddiol, sef y datblygiad yn gyffredinol (a’i seilwaith megis llwybrau).
Mae safbwynt yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio yn glir iawn ar y pwynt pwysig hwn. Yn ei adroddiad atoch chi ar 05 Gorffennaf 2017, nododd:
“Irrespective that the majority of the site is not located within zone C2…the proposed scheme has to be considered in its totality and the fact of the matter is that at present part of the proposal is where vulnerable development would be sited; in such instances TAN 15 makes it quite clear that highly vulnerable development should not be permitted.”
Yng ngwrandawiad yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio cynigiodd y datblygwr ‘liniaru risg’ drwy ail-ffurfweddu’r cynllun tai i ddileu tai o’r ardal C2. Mewn ymateb, ail-bwysleisiodd yr Arolygydd Cynllunio y safbwynt:
“…or that following the proposed mitigation works all of the site would be removed from zone C2… the proposed scheme has to be considered in its totality.”
Yn eich llythyr yn gwrthwynebu’r cais gwreiddiol, roeddech chi’n pwysleisio’r pwynt allweddol hwn, gan nodi:
“[The Inspector] notes paragraph 6.2 of TAN 15 leaves no doubt as to what is required and is quite categorical, highly vulnerable development, such as the residential development proposed, should not be permitted in Zone C2 of the floodplain.”
Credaf fod yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio wedi’i gwneud yn gwbl glir bod hwn yn ddatblygiad amhriodol, sy’n achosi risg gwirioneddol o lifogydd i’r gymuned leol. Fel Aelod Cynulliad yr etholaeth leol, rwy’n cefnogi safbwynt yr Arolygydd Cynllunio yn llwyr ac yn eich annog i wrthod y cais hwn.
Yn gywir,
Mick Antoniw
Aelod Cynulliad Pontypridd