PLANNING chiefs will be flying in the face of significant public opposition when they attempt to convince members of Carmarthenshire county council’s planning committee to rubber- stamp proposals for a massive 336-home development in Ammanford tomorrow (Thursday).

Opponents to the plans – relating to land at Tirychen Farm off Dyffryn Road, Penybanc – claim there is insufficient infrastructure to support such a scheme and it would ‘swamp’ the village.

Acknowledging the extent of opposition, planners say the provision of 70 affordable homes along with an extensive amenity provision ‘more than compensates’ concerns over the density of houses.

But AndrewEvans, chairman of the Tycroes Fach Residents’ Association, maintains locals remain solidly against the plans put forward by Swallow Property Developments.

“I haven’t met one person who supports putting even a single house on that land, let alone 336,” he told the Guardian.

“We don’t think the local community needs this – or would be able to cope with it.

“Just thinking about the increase of traffic that would result in Dyffryn Road frightens me – at peak periods it is bad enough already.”

Llandybie community council , the Welsh Language Board and The Countryside Council For Wales have all objected to the plans which have also sparked two petitions registering opposition – one bearing 108 names, the other 106 – as well as 110 letters from residents.

Local county councillor Alun Davies said: “We’re talking 40 houses per hectare – the sort of figures that normally apply to urban areas.

“Our schools and doctors’ surgeries are full and our hospitals already have lengthy waiting lists – where are all these extra people going to go?”

Additional concerns are what protestors claim would place an “intolerable” strain on the sewerage system as well as increasing local traffic problems.

“This will lead to total gridlock in Ammanford,” claimed Cllr Davies. “There’ll be queues stretching from the centre of town right back to the Golden Lion in Penybanc.

In recommending approval, officers say: “It cannot be denied that this development will have an impact on the locality, by virtue of its sheer scale and size, and the resultant growth in residents/vehicles/ etc.

“However, in the absence of service infrastructure objections or objection from the head of transport, it has been proven that this site can accommodate this development.”