Following consultation with developers 'Eatonfield Group' and Carmarthenshire County Council, Cymdeithas yr Iaith has revealed that the building of 50 houses in the small Teifi Valley village of Pont-Tyweli could start as early as next Easter.

Outline Planning permission was granted over 20 years ago for just over 30 houses and the developers intend to not only exploit this but also ask for permission to build up to 50 houses in a detailed application to be sent to Council Officers this week.Cymdeithas Field Officer for Dyfed - Angharad Clwyd, who lives in Pont-Tywelisaid:"If allowed, this development would increase the number of houses in the village by 50% and completely transform it socially and culturally."The developers have assured me that 30% of the houses to be built will be 'affordable', Cymdeithas are not impressed by this fact as it means that 70% of the houses will be 'unaffordable' and totally beyond the means of most people in the Teifi Valley. We shall press the Council to allow only the 15 (30%) affordable homes. Even the controversial UDP limits the number of houses for this site to 14.""Neither are we convinced that Carmarthenshire County Council have the tools nor expertise - judging by the UDP - to undertake a meaningful Language Impact Study. They have made no attempt whatsoever to study the effect of previous large housing developments on the Welsh Language."Ms Clwyd warned:"This sort of profiteering in land and housing at the expense of Welsh speaking communities must be stopped."Cymdeithas yr Iaith are calling for a Property Act for Wales. The proposed Property Act is a comprehensive measure that deals with every aspect of the housing crisis which is undermining communities across Wales be that unreasonable house prices, a severe lack of rented accommodation, or dangerous large scale developments. Cymdeithas yr Iaith believes that such a measure is fundamental if we are to secure a viable future for our Welsh speaking communities.