A PUBLIC event is to be held in Meliden to offer residents the chance to air their views on a proposal to build more than 100 new homes.

This is ahead of the Planning Inspectorate's public inquiry into an application by Penrhyn Homes to build 133 homes on Mindale Farm in Meliden.

Having initially been scheduled for last November, the inquiry is now due to begin on March 1 and expected to last for roughly five days.

But former councillor and mayor Bob Paterson, of the Mindale Opposition Group, believes it is unfair that the inquiry will be held online and will limit the input residents will be able to have on the process.

The public event which Mr Paterson has organised will be held tomorrow (February 3) at Meliden Community Centre, starting at 6.30pm.

Since an initial proposal was made public in 2016, the homes have since been rejected, dismissed by appeal, revised and rejected again.

Mr Paterson said: “Earlier in January, it was publicised that Boundary Commission for Wales intends to hold five public hearings throughout Wales, none of which are virtual.

“This does seem to make a mockery of the inspectors’ reasons for holding a virtual event. I have written to them querying this, but had no reply.

“How can the Welsh Government say it’s fine to hold a public hearing and consultation (in person), but they can’t hold a public inquiry as a live event?

“In the light of this, I have called the public event at Meliden Community Centre.

“It is felt that a meeting of this kind was extremely important as a large number of residents do not have internet access and apart from the newspapers, they get little other information.”

Mr Paterson added that he has already received the backing of numerous political figures, including the MS and MP for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth and James Davies respectively.

He feels this may be the final opportunity for him and others opposed to the plans to put a stop to them, before the Planning Inspectorate’s public inquiry begins next month.

He added: “When I first heard about it last August, I contacted the MS and the MP and had a meeting with both of them, all voicing objections to this being a virtual enquiry.

“I go to the community centre quite regularly and there are a number of people there constantly asking what’s going on, even though we’ve got a Facebook page, because they don’t use it (internet).

“They (Penrhyn Homes) have now changed the access road to a field at the side of the development, which is not even part of Meliden village. There’s a lot we can see against it.

“This is almost the last opportunity because, if I can get the appeal turned down, we feel then that we’re in a strong enough position to go to Denbighshire County Council (DCC) and say that this development should be taken off the Local Development Plan because it’s now gone to two appeals, both of which have been refused.”

Dr James Davies echoed Mr Paterson’s sentiments that an in-person inquiry would be ideal, and is still awaiting a reply to a letter he wrote to the Welsh Government in September suggesting as much.

He said: “I agree that a physical or hybrid hearing would be far preferable, as it would provide better access to residents to participate.

“I have joined others in repeatedly trying to make the case for this, writing to the Planning Inspectorate (since renamed by the Welsh Government, ‘Planning and Environment Decisions Wales’), the Welsh Government and DCC.

“I am still awaiting a reply to my letter, dated September 14, to the Welsh Government.

“There has been a refusal to consider physical proceedings, even though other public bodies are now doing so. This is very regrettable.”

Likewise, Gareth Davies expressed his disappointment that such an important inquiry could not be held in-person, describing it as “scandalous”.

Mr Davies added that, especially since Wales made into Alert Level Zero regarding COVID-19 restrictions, last week, it is inexcusable that this could not be done.

He said: “I completely agree with Mr Paterson in that the situation is completely scandalous.

“The whole point of a public inquiry is that it is, indeed, public, and holding such important meetings virtually denies people the right to have their voices heard on such an important planning application.

“It’s important to not forget that, even in 2022, not everyone has access to broadband and technology devices.

“We’re now in Alert Level Zero COVID-19 measures in Wales, so there is no excuse to not hold the public inquiry in person.

“This, yet again, is another display that the Welsh Government are completely out of touch with the best interests of residents in Meliden.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Whether made in-person, in writing or online, all representations and appeals are given equal weight by the Planning Inspectorate.

“As we adapted to the pandemic and switched to virtual meetings to keep Wales safe, Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) have done all they can to ensure communities have had the chance to engage in decision-making from their homes.

"Every inquiry is preceded by a test event, where attendees are given the chance to address any technical issues before the official meeting, with technical help also available on the day.”          

A DCC spokesperson said: “The council had been keen to ensure this planning appeal was run as a live public inquiry.

“We had previously communicated with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales on this matter but due to the ongoing Covid restrictions up to January 28, a virtual inquiry had to be progressed.

“Anyone wishing to take part in the virtual inquiry should contact for Planning and Environment Decisions Wales for further information.”

Attempts were also made to contact Penrhyn Homes.