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U-turn on housing plan could prove costly
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| Determined: The group have vowed to resist Newydd with the same vigour and determination it applied during the Vale planning process. |
THE CONTROVERSIAL planning application for housing on Cemetery Approach in Barry, passed last year, has now been rejected by the Vale Council's planning committee.
Campaigners opposing Newydd Housing Association's proposals to build 61 affordable dwellings on the land were jubilant after councillors narrowly voted to throw out the plan.
The decision to dismiss the plans comes after the same committee agreed in December to approve the development, despite a 5869-signature petition and 33 letters opposing the scheme.
Newydd Housing Association will appeal against the decision - but that process could end up costing the council a significant amount.
The application was reconsidered by the committee following new information, unearthed by the Save Our Cemetery Approach Action Group, which suggested the British government had deemed the land as public open space in 1954 - and the status of the land had never been changed.
At the meeting on Thursday evening, former Tory Cabinet members declared interests for their initial part in agreeing the sale of the land, and current Cabinet member Val Hartrey also left the room.
Of 19 voting members, 11 were entitled to stay and vote, with the difference being that Cllr Fred Johnson, who was on holiday when the decision was made in December, was able to take part in the vote.
Cllr Anthony Powell told the meeting: "We voted on the night with information that was before us, and we were not told that this was public open space.
"We were not given correct information and it could have misled members to vote in a particular way."
The motion, proposed by Cllr Powell, chose to reject the application on the basis of Policy HOUS 11 that states "existing residential areas characterised by high standards of privacy and spaciousness will be protected against over development and insensitive in-filling".
Cllr Johnson said he had gone into the meeting with an open mind and had been swayed by Cllr Powell's persuasive arguments.
The motion was carried by six votes to five, with Committee chairman Cllr Dobbinson no longer having to make a casting vote.
After the meeting Cllr Powell paid tribute to the action group's hard work.
He added that he hoped Newydd Housing Association would now work with the Council to identify a more appropriate site to build affordable housing.
Chief Executive of Newydd Housing Association, Paul Roberts said he was disappointed by the decision at a time when thousands were on waiting lists for affordable homes.
"This decision has put at risk our £9 million investment in the regeneration of Barry, including the £2 million grant from the Assembly," he said.
"The decision also means that the Vale Council has jeopardised a significant capital receipt that would have been spent on improving public services.
"The decision made by the planning committee is contrary to the previous intentions of the Council in identifying this land as suitable for housing development, supporting our application for Assembly funding, and recommending this scheme for approval."
He added: "We will now pursue an appeal to ensure that affordable homes can be built in Barry, and more people on our waiting lists get somewhere affordable and decent to live.
"However, this decision puts this prospect back by many months.
"It means that over 60 local families will have to remain in overcrowded, poor quality and expensive accommodation with the damaging implications for their quality of life.
"We remain committed to providing affordable accommodation, and until the Cemetery Road scheme can proceed, we will reallocate the funding we had set aside for this development to other schemes in South Wales."
A spokesman for the Save Cemetery Approach Action group said 'common sense had prevailed on the night', but the group was disappointed Newydd had decided to appeal.
Resident Bryn Morgan added: "As a responsible and sensitive provider of local social housing, they should recognise the massive public reaction against this proposal, and that the majority of Barry people value Cemetery Approach as an open space for the community."
IN a plea to the committee following the vote, the Vale Council's Head of Planning Rob Thomas said: "I will need help on the appeal because it affects the council's budget."
Following the meeting, Mr Thomas added: "It would appear at this stage that, if such an appeal was launched, then it would be very likely to be dealt with by way of a public inquiry, given the public interest in the case.
"It is my view that the council would be in an incredibly difficult position if an appeal is submitted, hence the need for assistance from members of the Planning Committee in defending their decision.
"My comments regarding assistance with an appeal and the cost implications of the appeal were made following deliberations on the application and after the vote had been taken, because I did not want to influence members' discussions on the matter.
"In this regard, the appellants, if successful, are also entitled to apply for a reimbursement of their costs in bringing the matter to appeal - and the council could find itself in the position of having to pay those costs as well as its own."
7:04am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: christurner on 5:15pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Further to the article relating to housing on Cemetery Approach I take the controversial view that there are enough inbreed halfwits in the town without housing more to gape at those unfortunates making their way to the cemetery in procession. If there is to be housing for these people then place them in high rise flats in areas where they can be with others who cannot afford to buy their own property, Ely is a good place for them and well known. This way they can steal and burgle from their own type without affecting those in private houses who have to now pay dearly for the privilege of owning their own home.
Further to the article relating to housing on Cemetery Approach I take the controversial view that there are enough inbreed halfwits in the town without housing more to gape at those unfortunates making their way to the cemetery in procession. If there is to be housing for these people then place them in high rise flats in areas where they can be with others who cannot afford to buy their own property, Ely is a good place for them and well known. This way they can steal and burgle from their own type without affecting those in private houses who have to now pay dearly for the privilege of owning their own home.
Posted by: rider, barry on 7:13pm Thu 20 Mar 08
When the billybanks in penarth were knocked down werent a lot of the residents re-homed in barry? Perhaps the rural vale can contribute a bit more as housing in barry at the moment is exasperating other problems
When the billybanks in penarth were knocked down werent a lot of the residents re-homed in barry? Perhaps the rural vale can contribute a bit more as housing in barry at the moment is exasperating other problems
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