Affordable homes plan sparks fears for wildlife

THERE are concerns over the effect a proposed housing development in Llantwit Fardre could have on residents and the environment.

Plans for 34 affordable houses on land north of the A473 east of Heol Creigiau and south of Heol Dowlais near the village of Efail Isaf have been recommended for approval.

But hundreds of people are against the latest housing plans in Llantwit Fardre, with more than 150 people signing a petition against it and more than 50 people submitting letters to the council.

The site is close to where plans for 440 houses at Ystrad Barwig Isaf Farm were approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee but are currently being considered by the Welsh Government planning inspector.

Nick Silvestros, who lives in Heol Creigiau, said: “I bought this house for the reason that it was just about affordable. The benefit was we were buying into a bit of the country. All of a sudden there is a development going in no more than 10m from my back garden.”

He also said he has concerns over the ecological impact of the proposals on the area, with barn owls that nest in the area likely to go as a result of the development.

He said: “There is wildlife galore in the area. It is illegal to destroy the habitat of wildlife.”

Mr Silvestros added: “There are pedestrians, horse-riders and cyclists that use our street. It is a link between one side of the bypass and the other. I don’t think there is a great deal of consideration given to that.

“I suggest it is integrated into the other proposal [Ystrad Barwig] as it prevents residents from being isolated. It makes more sense for them to be integrated into another development.”

Councillor Joel James, who represents Llantwit Fardre, said: “My concern with this application is the loss of a section of special landscape area (SLA), which is supposed to be protected under the council’s local development plan. This SLA was put in place to stop residential development around Efail Isaf.

“The land has high ecological value and has habitat that supports a number of Welsh, British and European protected species – such as the marsh fritillary butterfly.

“Also, it’s an extremely poor location for affordable housing. It’s isolated and remote and won’t encourage inclusion – which again is against the council’s local development plan.

“Finally, to get to the site, you need to cross a floodplain. Again, planning policy is totally against this. I feel the council are pushing this to meet its affordable housing targets and are completely ignoring its LDP.”