Addendum to the MINUTES of the meeting held on Tuesday 18th January 2011 in Llangybi Village Hall

MONMOUTHSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN OPEN DISCUSSION

IN ATTENDANCE;

APPROX 30 LLANGYBI VILLAGE RESIDENTS

CLLRS LOVE, DALE, MCLEOD, ROGERS, BACKHOUSE, GREENLAND, CAMERON, WATTS

COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER CLARKE

GEORGE ASHWORTH MCC PLANNING DEPARTMENT

CLERK HOLLY QUEMPER

                                                                                                                                                                                               

a.       Chairman Cllr Love opened the discussion by welcoming all in attendance and giving a brief history of the position the village finds itself in as a result of the Local Development Plan proposals. Cllr Love explained the new inclusion of a third site for consideration and when Council were informed of this development. Cllr Love advised the meeting of the Community Council’s position on the proposals and explained that the Council had always maintained opposition to the plans and explained the reasons why the Community Council believes the area is unsuitable. These reasons are briefly listed below:

                                    i.      The large number of un-adopted, increasingly ineffective sewage systems in the village, which will suffer further problems if additional properties are piped into them;

                                  ii.      The serious inadequacies of and failures in the Dwr Cymru local sewage treatment plant;

                                iii.      The major surface-water difficulties experienced in the lower-lying areas of the village, badly aggravated by the creation of more and more impermeable areas and by two recent very bad winters;

                                 iv.      The appallingly dangerous, continually un-repaired condition of both Ton Road and Parc Road;

                                   v.      The lack of a natural gas supply, which makes other heating systems/fuels an expensive option

                                 vi.      The acute traffic problems, both on the main R106 and especially on the much narrower, very busy roads listed above, heavily used by car-owners, service/utility vehicles, farm vehicles, and school transport.

 

b.      Cllr Love welcomed Mr George Ashworth of MCC to the meeting.

 

Residents

 

c.       Mr Ivan Maund of the Oaks and Mr Ian Lankshear made representations in accordance with the Points of Clarification Document distributed to Council. They asked the following questions:

 

                                     i.      What arrangements would be put in place to deal with the inadequate drains and sewerage system in the village? See d. iv

                                   ii.      What comments does the Community Council have on the inference that it supported an alternative site to the 2 previously suggested and conducted clandestine meetings? See i.

                                  iii.      What health and safety measures will be implemented to combat the increased traffic on the road as a result of the increased housing? See d. iv

Mr George Ashworth

d.      Mr George Ashworth explained to the meeting that MCC had experienced resolute opposition from many areas in the County on the proposed plans. He explained the difficult compromise MCC met when trying to keep housing development as low as possible and to utilise the most sustainable places, such as towns.

                                     i.      MCC do take the view that villages should have development as well and take into account ageing populations. In total 200 houses are proposed over 26 villages. In Llangybi it is 15 houses over a 15 year period.  

                                   ii.      MCC rebut any suggestion that their actions amount to ‘village swamping’. Protecting amenity is taken into account.

                                  iii.      MCC have not reached a decision as yet. The 2 initial sites were looked at originally and the Council did receive lots of objections. The added third site is no more than exploring possibilities, and the consultation and villagers’ views will be taken into account before it makes its final representations to Committee.

                                 iv.      Mr Ashworth confirmed that he does recognise the issue of controlling both the  rural approaches into the village and the likely increase in traffic; and he appreciates concerns over further risks to the drainage problems in the village

e.      Mr Ashworth confirmed that MCC does want an extensive consultation on this. The report is due in March/April 2011, it will ask MCC to agree to a ‘deposit version’ of the plan. Following this, further alternative sites could be proffered, and another 6 weeks consultation will take place. Finally an Inspector will be appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government to make the final decision.

f.        Mr Ashworth confirmed that the 3rd site is additional and not alternative as some villagers believed. He stressed the need for villagers to put their thoughts in writing to MCC.

g.       Cllr Love questioned whether the ‘main village assessment criteria’ adopted by the Council were  appropriate. Mr Ashworth explained, with reference to a number of documents, that the criteria were based on a range of facilities and a traffic-light scoring system was used. Mr Ashworth compared Llangybi to Llanvair Discoed which is also a main village despite having fewer amenities.

h.      Mr Ashworth confirmed the affordable housing ratio as 60/40 and includes sale, shared ownership, rental, social landlords/ housing associations. There is a viability study on the website.

Cllr Love, Llangybi Community Council

i.         Cllr Love informed the meeting that the council was proud of its transparency and integrity and disappointed at the negative comments made. Cllr Love explained the executive action the Council has taken in fighting the LDP, the pressure Council has been under to represent the residents in a fair manner and how it has needed on occasion to seek clarification from MCC on the 3rd additional site. This has not resulted in Council supporting this site as an alternative. Council has maintained its opposition to the plan from the outset and will continue to do so.

j.        Cllr Love accepted the residents’ feelings in relation to whether they are being sufficiently heard, and whether their representations will make a difference. He explained t hat developments may still happen but the Council cannot be held to account for this as it will continue to oppose both the LDP’s assessment of Llangybi as a Main Village and its proposed changes to the VDB.

k.       Cllr Love confirmed a formal decision on its third response would be taken later in the meeting; and once agreed it would be posted on the Notice Board and on the web-site.

l.         Mr Ashworth was thanked for his attendance; and residents were urged to make their own representations by 4th February 2011