People fighting a controversial housing plan have been subject to a “mean trick” by a county council, it has been claimed.
They have been given two weeks to voice their views on plans by Beech Developments for 110 homes at the corner of Pentwyn Road and Marl Lane in Deganwy during an election campaign in which councillors have been “gagged”.
In August, the proposal attracted more than 870 objections.
Beech Developments were invited to modify their application, and letters were sent out by Conwy County Borough Council to residents on April 20.
Terry James town councillor for Marl Ward said: “The council have launched this just before the election and it’s a mean trick.
“It won’t allow councillors to talk because of purdah, which has effectively gagged them doing the job they have been elected to do.
“I’ve had 155 written accounts from people in Marl ward concerned about the impact the build could have on schools and doctors. If built it would exacerbate traffic problems no end.”
Objections to the plans on a public document attached to the planning application highlight potential flooding and road safety as reasons residents don’t want the development going ahead.
Lyndon Watkins, wrote: “We should not be losing more agricultural land with the potential flooding impacts this could cause. It can be very dangerous to cross Pentwyn Road already without another 250 cars using this section of road.”
Delyth Shotter, who lives on Llwyn Estyn, said: “This is dreadful. It’s ridiculous, the consultation should be after the elections, it’s not democratic.”
Mike Roberts, director of planning, with Beech Developments said the planning application was submitted nearly 12 months ago and Conwy Council requested additional information only available two weeks ago.
He said: “Having submitted the application so long ago, we would not have envisaged or wanted such a delay which has brought the decision process closer to the time of local elections.”
A Conwy county council spokesman said: “The current consultation, carried out over a standard period of 14 days, relates to this additional information and amendments. All representations submitted previously will continue in the process.”
Article originally published by News North Wales
