Hundreds of Abergele residents at local development plan meeting

Jun 11 2009 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

HUNDREDS of Abergele residents hoping to have their voices heard met last weekend to oppose controversial council developments planned for the town.

Over 400 residents joined forces last Friday at Kinmel Manor to speak out against a number of proposals for the town outlined in the draft Local Development Plan (LDP), currently undergoing a public consultation.

Residents got the chance to quiz Stan Yates, the council’s principal planning officer, on the plans, which include a holding site for travellers, a bypass and up to 300 new houses for the town.

“I would like to compliment Stan Yates on attending the meeting, knowing full well the depth of feeling against his plan. He is a brave man,” said resident Roy Collins.

“I was reminded that the meeting took place on the eve of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings, when many brave men made the ultimate sacrifice in the stand against tyranny and for freedom and democracy.

“I believe Mr Yates to be an honourable man and trust he’ll take people’s views back to his team and make necessary changes to the LDP.”

However, the plans still provoked a strong response from many residents, including the Abergele LDP Action Group, formed last month.

“We’ve been inundated with expressions of support and encouragement, and the attendance at the events we have organised is a clear mandate from residents to carry on the campaign,” said group leader Andrew Mailer.

“Abergele residents are clearly very angry about the proposals and are prepared to do everything they can to overturn them.”

david.simister