Today (Saturday 13th April) members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith have raised a banner to declare their opposition to a controversial housing development in Penybanc near Ammanford. The banner, which states “Nid yw Sir Gâr ar Werth” ("Carmarthenshire is not for sale"), was raised at the entrance to the site of the proposed development which language campaigners and local people claim will undermine the Welsh-speaking community.
Local County Councilor, Alun Davies said:
"The construction of 289 houses will devestate the local community and have an impact on the entire county. The majority of local people oppose the deveolpment and it is also relevant to everyone in the County. We are discussing what we can do locally to stop the development and are glad to be working with Cymdeithas yr Iaith on this campaign. I hope that the protest that we are arranging together for next Saturday (20th April) will be the start of a strong campaign to show the County Council that they need to listen to the voice of the people.”
Sioned Elin, Carmarthenshire Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith added:
"The housing development here emphasises the mixed messages coming from the County Council - on the one hand a Task Force to promote the language has been set up in response to the results of Census and yet they are allowing such a large housing development which will have impact communities and the Welsh language across Carmarthenshire - despite local opposition. We are concerned that this is just one of a number of developments that we will see in future. This is a protest not only for Penybanc but for the whole of Carmarthenshire to emphasise that Carmarthenshire is not for sale to housing speculators
“I am also glad that people will have the opportunity to hear the young local band, y Banditos, who will play in the protest a part of the set they will play later that day in a gig in Carmarthen. They represent the young people affected by Council decisions such as this."