A SENIOR Ceredigion councillor has hit back at serious claims made about him by one of the many objectors to a scheme to relocate some 47 caravan pitches near New Quay, expected to be considered by planners next year.
In an application to Ceredigion County Council, Vale Holiday Parks Ltd, through agent Geraint John Planning Ltd, seeks to relocate 17 caravans from Wern Mill Caravan Park, and 30 caravans from The Village Holiday Park, to allow for 47 pitches at Ocean Heights Holiday Parks, Maenygroes, some 1.6 miles from the seaside town of New Quay on the A486 road.
The scheme is expected to be considered by planning committee members during 2026.
A supporting statement accompanying the application planning said the 17 caravans from Wern Mill, Gilfachrheda, some 2.5 miles away, and 30 from Village Holiday Park, Cross Inn, some 0.7 miles away, “would form a natural extension to the existing Ocean Heights Park,” which currently has 103 pitches.
New Quay Town Council has not discussed the scheme due to not being in quorate due to the number of councillors declaring an interest, but local community council Llanllwchaearn is opposing the scheme which it says “would double the area of the site” for a long list of reasons, concluding: “The council recognized the strong opinion expressed by the residents of Maen-y-groes against this application. As a result, CC Llanllwchaearn decided to oppose the application.”
Since the application was lodged, objectors have raised their concerns about the scheme, with many concerns raised on the council’s planning portal, including road safety, impact on residents, impacts on wastewater infrastructure, and claims it would be a “massive overdevelopment”.
One objector has made serious claims “about impartiality in local planning decision making” concerning the local New Quay county councillor, Cabinet Member Cllr Matthew Vaux.
The objector said: “[In April] my wife, whom is a very well-respected resident in Maenygroes and in the wider New Quay community spoke with Cllr Matthew Vaux at his business the Captains Rendezvous, New Quay, during our discussion Cllr Vaux asked who had purchased the agricultural land.
“She confirmed that a local farmer who has been farming the land for a considerable time had told her that Ocean Heights has purchased the surrounding fields.
“Cllr Vaux then confirmed that Ocean Heights intention was to move all caravans from their existing Vale site in Cross Inn, New Quay to the new development site in Maenygroes. That Vale has purchased the lane next to his former tin shed to secure access for a future housing development on the old Cross Inn site. He said: ‘They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse’.
“When asked about the environmental and community harm and perhaps planning permission will not be granted he responded: ‘I’ll make sure it gets planning, it’s good for business’.
“When questioned about why he was a councillor for New Quay and why a councillor for Plaid Cymru he replied: ‘because they asked me’. My wife questioned his moral compass and left in total disbelief.
“These comments imply predetermination, conflict of interest, a lack of impartiality required of elected representatives, willingness to support development regardless of community harm.
“This must be formally recorded as part of the objection, as it raises serious concerns about fairness and transparency.”
Cllr Matthew Vaux responded: “I was shocked when I saw the allegations made in the said objection. Vale Holiday parks have owned the lane to the side of my property in Cross Inn long before I was there.
“The allegation has come from when I was originally accused of selling the whole plot of land which my shop used to sit on to Vale Holiday Parks, this was just local rumour. As many will know this land is being developed by myself as we speak, it will be a ground floor commercial unit with a two-bed flat above.
“The comments about me in this objection are fabricated lies, I have not had any contact with Vale Holiday parks in connection to my property or their current application.
“I have declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application due to the fact I have an easement for access over the lane (owned by VHP) to the side of my property in Cross Inn and I run a business in New Quay that relies on the tourism sector.”
Cllr Vaux’s scheme for a commercial unit and flat was approved by planners back in 2023.
An amended scheme for a chip shop on the site was withdrawn by Cllr Vaux in 2025 after local objections.
