Abergele could hold LDP referendum

Apr 14 2011 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

A REFERENDUM may be held to gauge public support for plans to build 850 homes in the Abergele area.

Abergele Town Council has made no secret of its opposition to proposals in the county council’s draft Local Development Plan, and a recent public meeting showed that around 98% of the 165 people present were against the LDP too.

Cllr Ron Peacock declared that a referendum would show “democracy at work”.

“We had a meeting and decided we should take this to the bitter end. We owe that to the people of Abergele, even if we fail,” he said.

“If we get beaten, we get beaten, but at least we tried.”

Cllr Kenneth Sudlow added: “I think that’s what the people of Abergele want us to do.”

The council is now looking into the cost implications of a referendum before going ahead with the idea.

Planning consultant Peter Lloyd has been advising the council on the matter of the LDP. He believes that, as a thorn in the side of Conwy County Council, a referendum would be more effective than a petition.

“It is definitely a means of getting the message across,” he said.

“But Denbighshire Council hasn’t taken any notice of the Bodelwyddan ballot, and Conwy Council does not have to take any notice of a referendum.”

In Denbighshire a community poll saw 394 people voting against the council continuing with its draft LDP.

Only 30 answered ‘yes’ after being asked: “Should Denbighshire Council continue with the proposed development plan for Bodelwyddan?”

In the draft LDP currently under consultation several areas in Abergele have been earmarked for housing development – a site on Llanfair Road, the land south of Siamber Wen, two sites on Rhuddlan Road, Tandderwen Farm and a site near Abergele Business Park.

The plan sets out the council’s objectives and priorities for the development and use of land until 2022.

Abergele Town Council will host a public drop-in session to provide guidance to people who want to submit representations regarding the proposals.

It will be held at Abergele Town Hall on Saturday, April 16 from 11am-3pm.

A copy of the Local Development Plan is available to view at Abergele library, or online at www.conwy.gov.uk/ldp