Anger at plans for houses on Dwygyfylchi village green

Jun 4 2009 by Sarah Lewis, North Wales Weekly News

Dwygyfylchi residents protest against playing field on LDP

RESIDENTS are in uproar over plans to build 10 new homes on a village green and are urging others to sign a petition against the proposal.

The field adjacent to Maes y Llan and Groesffordd in Dwygyfylchi – known locally as the back field – has been included in the council’s draft Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP suggests a maximum of 10 houses at the proposed site, to be completed by 2020.

Carys Drury of Dwygyfylchi is protesting against the allocation: “We know that once access has been made into that field, eventually we will lose all of it to developers who will want to build more on a piece of land that offers some amazing views.

“Many residents of both Penmaenmawr and Dwygyfylchi do not want houses built on this area.

“We do not need more homes in Dwygyfylchi. We don’t want the only green space in the village to be taken away.

“Do we really want to turn the village into a town?”

Petitions have been placed around the village in St Gwynin’s Post Office, Crimpers and Spar.

However, county councillor for Capelulo, wanted to allay fears about the proposal.

She said: “There have been a lot of rumours about the proposed site on the LDP and I would like to reassure residents that the football field is not at risk.

“I have been reassured that it will stay as a playing field. The football field is owned by the council and it is not earmarked for housing.

“A maximum of 10 homes have been proposed in the LDP and the houses would not be built until 2017 and then only three a year would be built until 2020.

“Five of the homes would be allocated for affordable housing needs.”

A Facebook group has also been set up to generate support in the village. The Save the Back Field group already has over 130 members.

Residents have echoed concerns that a safe play area for children will be lost and once builders start work on the field, it is feared more developments will follow.

Residents have until June 26 to raise their concerns.

All the information on the LDP is available at www.conwy.gov.uk/ldp and copies of the document can be seen in main council offices.

When all the feedback has been received, the Planning Inspectorate will also look at the LDP before the council adopts it at the end of 2010.

sarah.lewis