Fears new homes could see village double in size

PLANS for hundreds of new homes in the north of Swansea could almost double the size of a village.

The proposals for 850 new properties in Penllergaer have been included in Swansea council’s local development plan (LDP), which guides development in the county over the coming years.

Inspectors have recommended the plans for approval, despite opposition from existing residents, who say the development would entirely alter the character of the village. And residents argue it goes against a decision made 10 years ago to turn down plans for 250 homes on Parc Mawr in the village.

Resident Ruth Mureph said: “I cannot understand how the council can do a complete about turnabout. They said before that there should be no building on Parc Mawr because it was not part of the ‘urban landscape’.

“They said too that Penllergaer’s ‘settlement identity’ would be compromised if more than 250 new houses were built. They still haven’t built the 250 houses already approved off Llewelyn Road and yet a further 850 are now on the cards that will almost double the size of Penllergaer. It’s scandalous.”

Concerns have also been raised over traffic implications, particularly at junction 47 of the M4, and the impact of congestion and noise.

The first 186 proposed houses are to be built by accessing the site through Brynrhos Crescent and Swansea Road.

Penllergaer Community Council has raised a complaint over the proposed access via Brynrhos Crescent, claiming it had not been disclosed at the public inquiry.

Wyn Morgan, chairman of the community council, said it would continue to object to the development.

David Hopkins, Swansea council’s cabinet member for delivery, said: “The council has been working hard on preparing the LDP for the last six years. I’m confident the emphasis of the plan is to address the needs of this city in terms of taking it forward as a modern developing city – where important factors like expanding populations and increases in business development are at the heart of it.

“Over the period of the plan we will be looking to develop around 17,000 new homes and create more than 13,000 new jobs.”