Housing plan in tiny Welsh village finally gets go-ahead after 5 years
Five letters of objection raised concerns including drainage, traffic generation, housing need, flooding and it being a linear development
Hayscastle Cross in Pembrokeshire
(Image: Google )
A housing scheme in a Pembrokeshire village, first proposed five years ago, has finally been given the green light.
An application was submitted for the construction of one dwelling, with additional outline permission for two more on land east of Ty Gwyn in Hayscastle Cross, near Haverfordwest.
The proposal was recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire Council's planning committee, despite being contrary to the authority's development plan, due to a small part of it being outside the settlement boundary.
The scheme includes a contribution to affordable housing, set at 10 per cent of the development value for Hayscastle Cross, amounting to £15,262.50. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Contributions towards affordable housing in the county can range from as low as 5% in Fishguard and Pembroke Dock to as high as 25% in towns like Narberth.
However, the proposal did not go unchallenged, with five letters of objection.
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These raised concerns about drainage, traffic generation, housing need, flooding and the linear nature of the development.
Despite these objections, an officer report concluded: "The proposal would result in residential development over a small area of the countryside location in conflict with the requirements [of policies].
"However, the minimal area of land involved and the ability it provides to facilitate development of the site are material considerations which outweigh the identified policy conflicts."
At the meeting, Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd expressed his surprise at the lengthy process since the application's submission five years ago, citing "a lot of hurdles" including the Covid-19 pandemic, phosphate concerns, and proximity to a nearby SSSI.
He argued that the development, with its £15,000 contribution to affordable housing, would "enhance this little bit of Haycastle Cross".
Councillor Brian Hall moved the application, while new committee chair Cllr Mark Carter, representing a nearby ward, remarked: "This to me, is just a natural progression of the village which has expanded over the years; it's just joining the rest of the row."
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The proposal received unanimous backing from the committee members.
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