Homes hope boosted
THE dream of two Llŷn couples in building a house in their home village has been given a welcome boost after councillors ignored professional advice to grant approval.
Monday’s planning committee meeting heard an application to build two detached homes at Drws y Llan, Llanengan with the prospective occupants both having strong links to the village.
According to the applicants, the high house prices in the area meant building a house of their own was “the only option” to live in the village. As the applicants of both proposed houses worked in the construction field, it was considered it would be possible to construct the homes for a maximum of between £70,000 and £90,000.
But council officers recommended refusal, citing five separate policies that would be broken if given the go-ahead including their size, larger than designated ‘affordable’ housing, concerns over location, and bio-diversity issues due to the likelihood of species of reptiles being on-site.
But Nia Ferris, a local headteacher and one of the applicants, urged members to support them in their bid to continue living in the area in which they were brought up.
“I feel that it’s vital that young people, like myself, are given an opportunity to raise a family in the community we were born and to ensure the Welsh speaking community flourishes. House prices in Llanengan are extremely high, and we feel our only option is to build a house of our own.”
Local councillor, John Brynmor Hughes, also supported the applicants and there was a letter of support from the local MP, Liz Saville Roberts.
Cllr Stephen Churchman described it as one of the “hardest decisions” he’d ever been faced with but said “with a heavy heart” he would have to refuse.
But Cllr Owain Williams said: “If we turn this down we are shutting down Pen Llŷn and any hopes young families may have of staying here.”
The application was passed 5-3, with two abstentions. As members voted against the recommendation of officers, it will be presented for a final decision when the committee next meets on July 22.