VILLAGERS have said a massive “no” to plans which would see Bodelwyddan triple in size.
Despite the freezing conditions restricting turn-out to just 25 per cent, villagers voted 394 to 30 against “unsound” plans put forward in Denbighshire County Council's draft local development plan (LDP).
The LDP sets out plans for Denbighshire for the next 12 years and proposals for Bodelwyddan, which has been designated as a "key strategic site", include building more than 1,700 new homes, industrial units, a new primary school and new road links.
Now campaigners are calling on the council to abandon the plans.
Alice Jones, a member of Bodelwyddan Development Action Group, said: "The strength of feeling against the development has been consistent and never wavered since the start of the campaign in September.
"The fact there was 25 per cent turnout out in the worst weather condition for 30 years, the voting took place in dark hours, the public told not to venture out because of risk of accidents and it was only for a period of hours shows how committed the people are to sending a message to Denbighshire County Council that this plan is ridiculous, in the wrong place, badly planed and unsound.
"They must abandon it altogether and come up with a more sensible sustainable plan that will benefit the whole of Denbighshire."
The number of people eligible to vote was 1,645 and 425 ballot papers were issued.
Action group member Derek Barker helped organise the poll, he said: "I was delighted with the turnout and particularly the elderly and disabled who turned out to make their voice heard. They really are worth fighting for."
A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: "The outcome of the poll is no more and no less than an expression of the views of the electorate of the community who have voted in the poll and is not binding on any body."
The draft LDP will go before to full council for discussion in June and will then have to be approved by the Welsh Assembly Government.