CAMPAIGNERS opposing a housing development in Penybanc Carmarthenshire took their case to the Assembly today.
The news comes after Welsh Government Ministers decided not to call the planning application in. The local campaigners will join Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s sustainable communities spokesperson Toni Schiavone in the Senedd in Cardiff to oppose the construction of 289 new houses. The language group has called on the Welsh Government to publish new planning guidelines regarding the effect of the planning process on the Welsh language as soon as possible. The consultation on the new guidelines came to an end almost two years ago.
Presenting a picture of protest sign erected on the site to her local Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas, for the attention of Minister Leighton Andrews, Joy Davies, the leader of the local group opposing the housing development, said:
“Our feeling locally is that a development of this size would have a negative effect on the community. Penybanc and Saron are small, close communities with a strong Welsh language ethos. There’s no demand in the Rhydaman area for this number of houses. This is sure to weaken the condition of the language in the area. Llandybie Community Council commissioned a report on the effect of the development on the language and the culture of the area - the conclusion was that it should be rejected given it would have a general negative effect and that it would threaten the needs and welfare of the Welsh language.”
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s Sustainable communities spokeperson Toni Schiavone added:
“Cases like this highlight the major weaknesses in the housing system, weaknesses which undermine the community and the Welsh language. The application was rejected once, but the developers succeeded in pushing it through again. The fact that the Government has refused to call the application in speaks volumes about their priorities.
"We are disappointed that Leighton Andrews himself did not come to receive the picture. His reason was that the Welsh Government may have to make a decision on the matter however we are slightly confused with this as the Government has decided not to call in the application. We hope that the minister realises that although he announced, just a mile up the road from the Penybanc development site, that he is to set up a Commission to look at the situation of the Welsh language in the county, the delay in releasing the TAN20 policy is having a negative effect on the Welsh language.
Carmarthenshire Council will be discussing a 61 house development in the Llandeilo area this Thursday: in this case again, there is no consideration of the Welsh language, and it leaves another community concerned for their future. It’s about time Minister published new, stronger guidelines so that the planning system works for the benefit of the language instead of against it. In a treasure hunt at the Urdd Eisteddfod next Monday, young members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith will be highlighting the matter as they hold a treasure hunt to find the TAN20 planning policy."