A COMMUNITY councillor’s plans for a house in near the Ceredigion village of Pontrhydygroes are likely to only go ahead if it is agreed it can be an affordable unit rather than on the open market.
In an application before Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee meeting of September 11, Ysbyty Ystwyth & Pontrhydygroes community councillor Alan Wilkinson sought outline permission for an open market dwelling on a plot next to Tyn Y Coed, Pontrhydygroes, Ystrad Meurig.
The application was recommended for refusal as it was contrary to the housing strategy of the local development plan.
A report for members, similar to a previous application that day for a scheme in Llanafan, said the latest Local Housing Market Assessment “outlines a very limited need for additional open market housing” but “a significant need for affordable housing,” adding: “As the proposal is for an open market dwelling, it would not address the need identified as the Housing Register indicates need for affordable housing only.”
It said “the principle of additional open market housing in Pontrhydygroes would not be considered acceptable as this would be contrary [to LDP policy] and the application does not demonstrate a need for open market housing in the settlement to justify a deviation from the LDP Strategy”.
The application was brought to the committee at the request of local member Cllr Wyn Evans, who supported the scheme, telling members: “The applicant has settled into the community well and has and is very active a past member of the Ystwyth transport team, a past carer for an old gentleman in the village whilst also being a local building contractor.
“The applicant is also an active member of the local community council and a real asset. The practical side of the application I fully support as the site did have planning permission which has lapsed the site is within the curtilage of the lower end of the village and will fit in well with the surrounding properties.
“The applicant has a family who have outgrown the house at Tynycoed and are in need of more room and they are desperate to stay within Pontrhydygroes as they are very happy there and the children regard it as home and have attended and currently do attend local schools.
“One important aspect that is worth serious consideration is that the applicant’s current property with be put up for sale if this application is successful thus allowing an affordable property to come on the market in Pontrhydygroes.
“To conclude, I do think some of the planning guidelines in the county do need to be looked at again in scrutiny, putting Pontrhydygroes as a linked village to Pontrhydyfendigaid does not work due to the geographical location of Pontrhydygroes.”
Outlining similar arguments to the Llanafan scheme, officers told members of the need for affordable housing, the area currently having two such units.
Members agreed to defer the scheme, giving officers powers to approve if an affordable unit could be agreed.
