A FRESH set of plans for 45 homes in Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, are to be submitted after a public consultation.
Enzo’s Homes and housing association Pobl Group want to build 33 houses, eight flats and four bungalows on a field off Maespiode.
The land is allocated for housing under Carmarthenshire Council’s local development plan, but Enzo’s Homes’ previous application for 45 homes at the site was turned down by the authority in August this year. This was because a legal agreement to ensure the provision of two affordable houses, plus more than £200,000 in education and open space contributions, had not been completed.
A different mix of housing, including fewer detached homes and more semi-detached ones, is part of the new proposal.
Access to the site would be via Maespiode, towards the south, through two access points – one existing and one new one. There would be 97 parking spaces, including two for visitors, and various bits of new landscaping.
A planning, design and access statement submitted on behalf of the applicants said the 45 properties would include “at least” five affordable units for rent, and that there would be a “commensurate” level of financial contributions as part of a legal agreement. The report, by Asbri Planning, added: “The layout is considered to demonstrate that the site is capable of being developed with no detrimental impact toward existing residential properties surrounding the site.”
There were objections to the previous application by Llandybie councillors Dai Nicholas and Anthony Davies on the grounds of over-development, increased traffic, and the availability of primary school places. Llandybie Community Council also objected.
Cllr Nicholas told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the area where the properties were planned was “jam-packed with housing” and that morning rush hour traffic at junctions with nearby Blaenau Road was already considerable.
A Pobl spokesperson said the proposal was a fantastic opportunity to deliver quality homes, and that the rental units were needed to address the area’s shortage of affordable housing.
“The site at Maespiode is allocated for residential development in Carmarthenshire Council’s current development plan, and a traffic assessment based on 45 homes concluded that such a development was appropriate and acceptable in traffic and transport terms,” said the spokesperson. “We look forward to hopefully delivering a scheme that the local community can be proud of.”
People can have their say on the proposal as part of a pre-application consultation being run by Asbri Planning until January 2. There would be further chance to comment on the planning application after it’s submitted.
