Language groups’ fears over joint housing plan

A LANGUAGE group is warning that the numbers of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd and Anglesey cound drop by as much as 3.5% if plans to build 8,000 homes across the two counties are given the go-ahead.

The Joint Local Development Plan (LDP) is designed to assist both authorities in setting out where the counties’ new houses and businesses are to be sited between now and 2026.

An independent planning inspec- tor is currently assessing the plans before it is awarded final approval.

But Welsh language activists have now presented the inspectorate with fresh evidence, claiming the number of Welsh speakers in both counties could fall significantly if the plans are given the go-ahead.

The independent report, commissioned by groups including Cylch yr Iaith, Dyfodol yr Iaith and Cymdeithas, notes: “It appears that the proposed population growth is more or less wholly dependant on inward migration from outside of the two counties. And as the only two counties where the majority of the population are Welsh speakers, the likelihood that these incomers will be able to speak the language is rather low.”

The report found that drops in the percentage of speakers of between 2-2.5% in Gwynedd and 2.5-3.5% in Anglesey would be expected if the LDP was enforced in full.

In a joint statement, the language groups said: “This independent assessment reinforces our fears that the LDP would allocate too many homes, especially in some particular areas, without sufficient evidence these will not have a harmful effect on the Welsh language.

“Sustaining Welsh-speaking communities, including those where over 70% can speak the language, is one of the Welsh Government’s strategies.

In response, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “A thorough public consultation has been undertaken on the deposit Joint Local Development Plan.

“We are now at the statutory public examination stage and an independent planning inspector has been appointed.

“The planning inspector will consider all the written representations made and listen to the views and evidence of those objectors to the deposit plan appearing at the individual hearing sessions, before deciding if the plan is sound and suitable for adoption.”

As part of the independent investigation, the independent planning inspector is planning to hold a series of public hearings, with the first to be held on September 6 at Bangor’s Neuadd y Penrhyn.