Housing projects in two villages turned down by planning officers

Richard Youle – Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for nearly 80 homes in two Carmarthenshire villages have been turned down.

A 35-home development was planned east of Carmarthen in Nantgaredig, sparking strong opposition, while 44 houses were proposed in Trimsaran, north-west of Llanelli.

An application for the Nantgaredig scheme off Station Road was submitted to Carmarthenshire Council nearly four years ago following preliminary discussions with planning officers.

Six of the 35 properties would have been affordable; the remaining 29 three, four and five-bedroom homes would have been for sale on the open market.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of applicants Life Property Group Ltd said the land in question – semi-improved grassland – was allocated for the development of around 30 homes.

It said the scheme would require a section of hedgerow and a tree to make way for a new T-junction onto Station Road but new planting would be carried out.

The statement also said the applicants recognised an education contribution to the council would be required plus, at the request of the community, some off-site recreational facilities.

Access

It added: “The development has also been shown to be capable of being served by an appropriate means of access and level of car parking that will not result in any detriment to existing or proposed users of the local highway network.”

There was, it said, also a bus stop within walking distance.

Many people living the area were concerned about the impact on traffic on Station Road and also claimed the development would increase the village’s population by a third and change its character for the worse.

Around 130 residents signed a petition opposing the plans, and they have now been turned down on the grounds that Life Property Group Ltd hadn’t entered into a legal agreement with the county council to contribute towards education and highways, the provision of off-site recreational space, and 20% affordable housing.

A spokesman on behalf of the applicants said they were disappointed with the refusal.

“We remain committed to working closely with the council and other stakeholders to address any concerns and ensure that our projects align with the needs and expectations of the community,” he said.

“We are particularly focused on developing several sites in Carmarthenshire, where we aim to provide high-quality housing options for local residents.”

Meanwhile, the 44-home scheme planned off Cae Linda, Trimsaran – just south of YG Trimsaran – was also on land earmarked for residential development.

Scaled-down

Outline planning permission for 79 homes was already in place there when new applicants UKPI (Trimsaran) Ltd submitted their application last November.

The scaled-down proposal was due to site constraints such as the presence of former mine shafts and a gas main and sewer crossing part of it.

Nine of the 44 two, three and four-bed homes would have been affordable, according to a planning statement on behalf of the applicants.

Trimaran Community Council asked if a legal agreement between the developer and county council as part of any planning consent could provide funding for a play area in the main park and a contribution to the miners’ welfare hall.

The council’s planning department turned the application down on the grounds it wouldn’t maintain and enhance marshy grassland, which was described as being important for biodiversity, and  it didn’t demonstrate how new greenery would be incorporated, or include a survey of existing trees and hedgerows.

Planning officers also said the estate was “poorly designed”, resulting in a “monotonous appearance”, and that two of the 44 houses would appear “squeezed into plots”.

They also said a legal agreement hadn’t been signed by the applicants in relation to various contributions and a 20% affordable housing provision.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the applicants’ architect to ask if they wished to comment but they didn’t respond at the time of going to press.