CAMPAIGNERS opposed to thousands of new houses being built in Denbighshire are coming together for a mass meeting.
Up to 8,400 homes could be built in the county as part of the local development plan (LDP) currently under consideration by Welsh Government.
Proposed sites for these houses include greenfield locations in villages across Denbighshire.
Opponents say the extra buildings will put an “intolerable” strain on the county’s services and infrastructure.
"The planning process should be based on local community needs and not having to meet targets set by an undemocratic and unaccountable planning inspectorate with no knowledge or understanding of Denbighshire's communities,” said a spokesman for the Bodelwyddan Development Action Group.
As reported by the Free Press in September extra sites earmarked for houses have been added to the county’s draft LDP after Welsh Government said the authority’s initial proposals did not include enough.
Amongst the additional sites are plans for 172 houses on land at HM Stanley Hospital in St Asaph, 84 on land adjacent to Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh, 59 on land adjoining Maes Hafod and Llys Famau in Ruthin and 15 on land at Cynwyd.
"It was bad enough for an area such as Bodelwyddan but now we’re seeing the Inspectorate coming back for more and more housing,” said the spokesman.
“But they don’t explain where all these extra people will work or how we will educate their children and provide doctors and nurses and hospital services to keep them healthy. At a time of cuts and economic pressure these huge developers will put intolerable pressure on our communities."
Thousands of leaflets are being distributed to communities threatened by the additional housing, some of which would be built on open countryside.
They include Bodfari, Cyffylliog, Cynwyd, Denbigh, Dyserth, Llanarmon yn Iâl, Llanbedr DC, St Asaph, Llanfair DC, Llangollen, Llanrhaeadr, Prestatyn, Rhuallt, Rhuddlan and Rhyl.
The public meeting, being held this Friday, November 9, aims to bring together all those communities affected and give them the chance to hear more about what is proposed.
Among the speakers will be North Wales Assembly Member Llyr Gruffydd, who said: “If we allow this to continue we’re in danger of having an urban sprawl stretching right across the coast from Prestatyn to Conwy. Is that what we want all over North Wales?”
A consultation on the additional sites finished this week and a hearing on the LDP is due to take place the week commencing January 21.
The meeting will take place in Denbigh Town Hall on Friday starting at 7.30pm.