A MAJOR housing scheme in Penrhyn Bay was approved by Conwy’s planning committee, despite over 130 letters of objection from concerned residents.
Anwyl Construction was granted planning permission to build 152 homes on 6.6 hectares of land off Derwen Lane, including 54 affordable units, a play area, and a new 61-space car park for Ysgol Y Creuddyn.
The site sits next to existing housing but also borders protected ancient woodland, a special area of conservation, and historic landmarks, including Gloddaeth Hall, a Grade-I listed Building.
But many residents said the development would be overbearing, citing an excessive density of homes and noise pollution.
Other concerns centred around the potential strain on NHS GPs and dentists, as well as local schools, including nearby primary school Ysgol Glanwydden.
The debate was due to take place in September but was deferred after an admin error.
Cllr David Carr raised his concerns at the meeting yesterday (Wednesday) at Conwy’s Coed Pella HQ.
“I’m always a bit worried when we are building on greenfield sites,” he said.
“We should be building on brownfield sites, and we have all the empty homes in the county.
“I’m certainly aware we do have a crisis of homelessness, and we do need more homes.”
He added: “But I’ve got real concerns about this development. As mentioned, the infrastructure – I know from my ward – the GP services are just not adequate, and the health board don’t seem to be making any reasonable moves towards increasing capacity.”
Cllr Carr was also concerned about the volume of school pupils using nearby roads.
But planning officers informed him road safety was satisfactory and claimed the NHS was targeting Welsh Government funds to attempt to tackle the health care shortages.
The proposal to back the development in line with planning officers’ advice was put forward by Cllr Alan Hunter and seconded by Cllr Austin Roberts.
Cllr Kay Redhead said: ”I do understand people’s reservations on this, but I don’t think we can turn away 54 affordable houses, given the crisis we have at the moment.
“I also don’t think we have any valid reason to go against officers’ recommendation on this. If we did, it would be liable for a call-in.”
Nine councillors voted in favour of the development and two against, with two abstentions.
