Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will publish its own alternative Planning Bill in a bid to shake-up the planning system in order to strengthen the Welsh language at a community level - that’s the promise of the group’s chair in his new year’s message.

A large number of housing developments have hit the headlines recently because of their effect on the language, such as plans for housing in Penybanc, Bethesda and Bodelwyddan.

The news of the alternative bill plan comes after the society complained the Welsh Government’s draft planning law, which came out in December, didn’t mention the language at all. That despite the Welsh Government’s consultation on the state of the language - Y Gynhadledd Fawr (Big Conference) - coming to the conclusion that:  “There was a consensus that demographic mobility is the biggest current challenge to the viability of the Welsh language, and it was found that the solutions to that challenge involved: … housing and planning policies … ”

A delegation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg met Planning Minister Carl Sargeant, earlier this month to raise concerns about the Government plans and present an alternative discussion paper to him. In his new year’s message Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg says: "In order for the Welsh language to thrive, firm policies and clear leadership are needed in several areas. Planning policy is key, because it shapes our communities and influences in- and out-migration patterns,  patterns which mean we’re losing 3,000 Welsh speakers every year. In order to change those patterns, and see an increase in the number of speakers, the current planning system needs a complete overhaul.

“Cymdeithas yr Iaith is calling for a system which starts with local needs, which allow Welsh-speaking communities to grow sustainably. The Government’s draft planning bill goes in the wrong direction - no consideration for the language, a democratic deficit and no emphasis on local needs. It would exacerbate faceless structures, strengthening the planning powers of unelected officials. That’s why we’re going to publish our own Planning Bill - which will demonstrate clearly the opportunity the Welsh Government has to transform the system. We can’t afford to miss that chance.”

In his video message to members of the society, he adds: “I’m hoping 2014 will be a good year for the Welsh language because now is the time for the Welsh Government to show leadership; start to act on the six policy points we are calling on them to implement. Especially thinking this year about the planning system where things have gone completely off course. We are seeing a number of developments which are going to have a bad effect on the language. If we don’t change that, we are going to see a situation where young people move out of their communities because they don’t have anywhere they can afford to live. The system needs changing from the bottom up so we measure the local need for housing; so that that is the basic building block of the planning system. If Carwyn Jones isn’t willing to say he’s going to create a system like that, Cymdeithas yr Iaith may need to act in order to focus attention on the seriousness of the situation which faces the language and our communities ...”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has given the First Minister until the 1st February to state his intention to transform the planning system as part of six policy steps they are calling for in order to strengthen the language over the years to come.