OPPOSING UNSUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

I continue to oppose the development of unsustainable residential housing developments in our constituency.  In the video, the Minister rightly emphasises the importance of the Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) in the planning process.  However, the three proposed developments – at Ystrad Barwig, Cwm Isaf farm and Tynant Common – do not fall within the LDP.  I have written to the Minister to stress this point.  You’ll find the letter below.

 

Julie James AM

Minister for Housing and Local Government

5th Floor
Tŷ Hywel
Cardiff Bay
CF99 1NA

29 January 2019

 

Dear Julie

Planning Application – Residential Development at Ystrad Barwig

I want to highlight this planning application, which I am strongly opposed to.

A previous application at the same location and occupying a similar footprint was rejected by Welsh Government in July 2017.  The current application was approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Planning Committee on 22 November 2018 and is currently listed as ‘Under Consideration by Case Officer‘ in the Welsh Government’s Status of Planning Decisions report (items 1366 & 1391).  Given the significant environmental and infrastructure concerns I would hope this application will be called in for review by Welsh Government.

As I highlighted in my plenary question to you on 23^rd January 2019 this is just one of three proposed developments (at different stages of the planning process) within the same immediate locality.  In your response you rightly underlined the important role that the Local Development Plan plays in the planning process.  However, the Ystrad Barwig development (together with the proposed developments at Cwm Isaf Farm and Tynant Common) do not fall within the LDP.

As a result, I am greatly concerned that over time, these three development applications will be granted individually, without the benefit of a ‘joined-up’ approach that the LDP is designed to facilitate.  I appreciate that you cannot comment specifically on the Ystrad Barwig development, but I would urge you to consider the scope of any Planning Inspectorate review.  In my view this should include an assessment of the cumulative impact of the three developments, together with the already approved 900 home development at nearby Cwm Cokes Works site on infrastructure, services and environmental concerns such as air quality in the area.

I want to stress that I fully support the Welsh Government’s strategy of building more homes.  I also welcome the adoption of a spatial planning model, but homes that are not sustainable and have an adverse effect on residents are contrary to this policy and the planning process must be sufficiently robust to produce sustainable outcomes.

Mick Antoniw

Assembly Member for Pontypridd