Councillors reject plans for housing development
COUNCILLORS have rejected plans for more than 100 houses on a former Cynon Valley school site.
Plans from Davies Homes to build 120 houses on the former Blaengwawr Comprehensive School site in Aberaman were rejected by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning and development committee on Thursday, June 27.
Residents have voiced their concerns over the inadequate nature of the single access from Club Street and the effect this would have on traffic in the area and residents’ quality of life.
The vote was tied at three in favour of refusal and three against refusal until stand-in chairman Councillor Gareth Caple used his casting vote to reject the application against officer recommendations to approve it.
The plan originally went before committee on April 4 but councillors decided to undertake a site visit.
It came back to committee on May 9 but was deferred again to explore the possibility of a second access and a two-lane access involving the widening of Club Street.
They explored four routes – through Maesyffynon Lane, Maesyffynon Grove and Lane, access direct to Cardiff Road and via Gwawr Street.
But Davies Homes highlighted the cost of the options, some of which could be as much as £660,000, which would make the scheme non-viable.
The proposed footpath through Maesyffynon Grove has been scrapped and there are proposals to build a play area there instead.
Speaking at the planning meeting, residents said they were not against the development itself but felt that the appropriate highway infrastructure should be put in place.
They said the single access through Club Street is inadequate and that nothing had changed from the previous plan.
They also added that profits should not be prioritised over the wellbeing of local residents and that the street can’t cope with traffic from the extra care facility and the sports pitch as it is.
But the agent representing Davies Homes said at the meeting that engineers had said the access through Club Street was acceptable.
He said the costs of engineering works and land acquisition would make the scheme non-viable and urged councillors to make a decision there and then, as this was the third time it had come to committee.
Councillor Pauline Jarman said: “I am still not persuaded that the highways arrangements are able to cope with the ongoing demand of 120 dwellings additional to the present situation, which is very uncomfortable for local residents.
“I don’t think reasonably compliant highways arrangements are something we can support. I want absolute compliance to make sure we treat everyone equally and fairly.”
Councillor Gareth Hughes said: “I completely understand the concerns raised by residents. But on highways it is noncompliant currently.”
He said that given the site was formerly a school, data shows that traffic generation won’t be significantly different.
“We need new quality housing in RCT in order to attract people to live here.”
But Councillor Wayne Owen said because the council still owns the land, it is in a good position to refuse – and that if they have to take a hit on the amount of money received, then so be it.
He said: “I was all for it but listening to residents, I have changed my mind.”