Group calls for rethink on homes in Llandovery (From South Wales Guardian)

Group calls for rethink on homes in Llandovery

2:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

PLANS to develop by building new houses at the eastern end of Llandovery could have “disastrous consequences”, a local action group has warned.

Under the Local Development Plan (LDP), Carmarthenshire County Council is drawing up plans for 148 homes in the area, but the Llandovery Area Tenants and Residents Association (LATRA) has drawn up its own report and is calling on Assembly Environment Minister John Griffiths to intervene.

LATRA says houses built behind and opposite Dan y Crug would be at flood risk and threaten the character of Llandovery.

It also says a large-scale estate would become “a convenient ‘overspill’ opportunity, adding: “Llandovery is too small a town for a large number of newcomers arriving in a short period to be integrated easily.”

LATRA argued land at Maes y Felin and behind Tywi Avenue would make better alternative sites and, in a letter to Mr Griffiths, maintains Llandovery has reached a “critical” point in its history.

In its letter the campaign group says: “Lack of inward investment, the decision to close our secondary school, the proposals to build large new housing developments and the proposed imposition of a huge wind turbine have all contributed to the despair felt by the people in Llandovery.

“Wewould ask you to study this report with a view to setting up a conference between all parties in the very near future so that we can restore some semblance of local democracy and sensible planning for Llandovery which will not just benefit our ancient and historic town but the whole of Carmarthenshire.”