HOMES PLAN PASSED 8,000 extra houses for Gwynedd and Anglesey despite protestations
A CONTROVERSIAL development plan including building 8,000 new houses in Gwynedd and Anglesey was given the green light – by a majority of one vote.
Last Friday the Joint Local Development Plan came before Gwynedd’s full council, and after impassioned pleas for and against for two hours and 30 minutes, the vote was taken on whether or not to adopt the plan for the 2011-2026 period.
It sets out how land will be used for new homes and jobs over the 15-year period
In the end, 30 councillors at the meeting of the full council in Caernarfon voted for the plan and 30 voting against. There were four abstentions, while 10 members were absent.
The plan was carried on the casting vote of the council chair, Plaid Cymru Cllr Annwen Daniels, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
There were shouts of “Gwarth! (Disgrace!) and ‘Shame!’ as the result was recorded.
Before the meeting, around 60 people had attended a protest organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, where speakers implored the council to refuse the plans.
Opening the debate, Gwynedd environment cabinet member Dafydd Meurig (Plaid Cymru) said councils had to carry out an LDP.
He said: “The risk of not adopting an LDP is that there will be nothing to stop developers submitting plans for areas not protected.”
Cllr Aled Evans (Plaid Cymru) was applauded after saying this was the first time councillors had been given a chance to give their view on the plans.
Both Cllrs Sion Jones, Labour, and Alwyn Gruffydd, Llais Gwynedd, referred to a language study stating the plans would lead to a 2% drop in Welsh speakers.
There were a number of calls from Cllrs Menna Baines, (Plaid Cymru) Eric Jones (Independent) and Selwyn Griffiths (Plaid Cymru) for a decision to be postponed.
Many Plaid Cymru members voted against the plan, including Cai Larsen. However, Plaid’s Paul Rawlinson said if it was refused it would open the doors to developers.
Tywyn Cllr Mike Stevens (Independent) said: “Kick this out; it’s not worth it,” while Plaid’s Simon Glyn was applauded for saying if they voted against the plan it would “open the floodgates” to developers.
Afterwards, Council leader Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn (Plaid Cymru) said: “The plan we have approved is based on compre- hensive evidence regarding the matters which are most important for local people – housing which includes affordable housing, jobs and the Welsh language.
“The framework sets out a series of progressive policies that will ensure that housing developments meet local needs, protect our communities and enable them to thrive.
“Crucially, in some coastal communities where the price of most houses are beyond the reach of local people, it includes an innovative local housing market policy – the first of its kind in Wales – which will ensure that any new homes are based on local needs.”
Ieuan Wyn, of Bethesda, one of those who had protested against the plans, said: “We would like to say we are very disappointed. It was a very close vote. We will consider how we will respond. This is not over.”