Council discuss progress on meeting LDP targets

CEREDIGION’S progress – or lack of – in meeting its local development plan (LDP) targets was discussed by full council.

Councillors had previously discussed the fifth annual monitoring report at overview and scrutiny committee, highlighting the “unrealistically high and unachievable” building target of 6,000 homes.

On Thursday all members heard that of the 32 indicators in the adopted LDP eight are not being achieved.

Councillor Alun Lloyd Jones said: “I’ve been asking for a formal review to look at the needs of villages close to large towns such as Aberystwyth because the needs of Aberystwyth seem to be more important than the needs in my ward,” he said.

Previously, cabinet member for economy and regeneration councillor Rhodri Evans presented the report before it is sent to Welsh Government. He said that delivering housing and the settlement strategy was an area where targets were not being met.

The 6,000 target had been “revised significantly downwards by Welsh Government,” Mr Evans had said.

Russell Hughes-Pickering, head of performance and economy, said: “When we look at the LDP review we’ll look at the strategy for new housing and where it’s appropriate to reduce or increase the level of housing in different areas.”

There were areas where the authority was performing including the percentage of affordable housing exceeding its target, town centre conversions contributed to meeting housing on previously developed land targets and no (or limited) loss of open space and the gain of open space on a number of larger developments.

Councillor Paul Hinge said the report “shows where the blips are” and added that the economic downturn had meant the LDP “cannot be delivered in the way it was written.” A balance between population needs and delivery needed to be considered with inspectors during the review added Mr Hughes-Pickering.

Council noted the latest report which will be sent to Welsh Government.