NEWS that the leader of Carmarthenshire Council has expressed concern for the future of the Welsh Language has been welcomed by language campaigners.

Kevin Madge criticised the Welsh Government’s Planning Bill for a “lack of consideration for and insufficient protection” of the Welsh language.

Both Plaid Cymru and language campaigners Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg have welcomed the statements in a letter from Cllr Madge to planning minister Carl Sargeant.

In his letter, Cllr Madge calls on the Welsh Government to make the Welsh language a statutory consideration in the planning system and demands changes to the Bill, calling for an adoption of the recommendations made by in a crossparty commission undertaken by Carmarthenshire Council in response to the Census.

Cymdeithas Yr Iaths Carmarthenshire’s Richard Vale said that those recommendations were already part of the language commission’s key demands.

He added: “The council is making bold statements now, but when will they act on their own words?

“Two hundred and thirty houses have been approved as part of a new development in Cross Hands – with only 12 of them being affordable.

“In the Local Development Plan, that will be discussed in December, the planning inspector has raised the percentage requirement of Welsh speakers in a community where a language impact assessment of a housing development is needed from 25 per cent to 65 per cent – only five communities in Carmarthenshire currently fall into this category.

“More than that, the council is telling the government to act for the benefit of communities – but what of the council themselves?

“The council can reject the Local Development Plan and start afresh – giving priority to the number of houses needed by each area.”

Cllr Madge’s actions have also been cautiously welcomed by Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas.

Mr Glyn Thomas said: “So far Councillor Madge has appeared unwilling to act to protect the language.

If he is serious about protecting and promoting it through the planning system, then he needs to stop the Local Development Plan process immediately.

“He would have the full support of Plaid Cymru if he chooses to do this. He only has to convince his own party that it should be done.

“I welcome the U-turn from Councillor Madge. I look forward to him stopping the LDP process in the coming days and opening dialogue on the future development of the county.”