Rejected Meliden housing plans back on the table

Last October, following a local hearing, planning inspector Kay Sheffield rejected the proposal by Penrhyn Homes for 133 properties on land at Mindale Farm.

The company had appealed against Denbighshire County Council’s refusal, which was against the recommendation of the officers.

Residents turned out in force at the public appeal, arguing that the development was over-intensive and that the proposed access and egress along The Grove was too steep and that the junction with the A547 main road was dangerous.

In dismissing the appeal, the inspector commented: "I have concluded that the development would be unacceptable in terms of highway visibility, emergency access, and in sufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate the scheme would not give rise to flooding.”

She said that although the principle of housing development on the site had been established and the need for more housing land was a major consideration the details of the scheme were inadequate.

"On balance, I consider these factors do not outweigh the concerns I have identified,” she added.

Now Penrhyn Homes have addressed concerns by putting forward new plans which involve creating a completely new access road from the A547 Prestatyn – Rhuddlan road behind the houses on Ffordd Tynewydd.

Residents in the area have received letters outlining the company's intentions.

Former mayor of Prestatyn and Meliden, Bob Paterson, said: "Once again we are about to see an application being put forward by Penrhyn Homes, this is the 133 homes that were proposed and refused, at planning an appeal, last year.

"This application will be for an access road on the fields to the west of Ffordd ty Newydd. This new road is expected to join the A547 60m west of the, very busy, Ffordd Ty Newydd junction and pass within 15m of a brand new house that was only built last year.

"A large number of residents and homeowners on Ffordd ty Newydd and Llys Celyn are concerned at the dramatic effect this new road would have on the value of there properties. The same residents and more from the rest of the estate are also extremely concerned as to how this extra junction will increase the problems that are experienced, on a daily basis, when trying to exit the estate.

"Throughout this development application a great deal has been said about this lands included within the Local Development Plan (LDP), and to its need within the area. At the appeal, it was made clear that gaining access to any development on this piece of land would fall outside of the Welsh Governments guidelines for disabled access. This calls into question the inclusion of the site in Denbighshire's LDP and the decision to do so, by the independent inspector, despite strong objections by the local authority.

"It is clear to many local residents that the application is not motivated by the need of the local area, but by the greed of the developers, Penrhyn Homes, and the landowners."

Meliden resident Diane Ashton, who lives on Graham Avenue - off Roundwood Avenue which comes out on to Ffordd Penrhwylfa - added: "The traffic problems in Meliden and particularly the village side of Ffordd Penrhwylfa are not new. There were protests in the 80s resulting in part of that stretch of road being widened with a promise a solution to the still narrow section closer to the village would be found shortly afterwards. Over 30 years later we are still waiting and still have a road built for a horse and cart with no footpaths.

"As other areas of Prestatyn and Meliden have developed, the volume and speed of traffic have increased putting added pressure on what is the only feeder road from the village to the coast.

"Any further developments, be that new houses or a new road into the village, would only exacerbate the problem and potentially put lives at risk."

The company has agreed to contribute towards the cost of extending the village primary school, Ysgol Melyd, to accommodate the in flux of children from the new estate.