Seaside town in second home capital rejects plans for 30 new homes

Wales Online

16-05-2025

Seaside town in second home capital rejects plans for 30 new homes
The site currently operates as a pay and display car park, owned and managed by Barcud as a commercial enterprise, which it says it could cease at any time
Developers want to build affordable homes on this car park in New Quay
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
Contentious proposals for a development of 30 affordable homes on a car park in New Quay in Ceredigion - an area notorious for its second homes - have been rejected by the council amidst concerns that it wouldn't benefit the local community.
Critics include a councillor who forewarned that the homes would attract "people with huge problems" from "away", rather than serving the town's inhabitants. Barcud, a housing association, had requested permission from Ceredigion Council for the £7.5 million scheme solely comprising affordable housing, situated at Central Car Park on Towyn Road following prior consultations.
‌
It has been approximated that these 30 new residences could increase New Quay's population by up to 98 – a significant change for a town where second homes or holiday properties already constitute 26 per cent of all dwellings. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
‌
The contentious car park is currently a commercial pay and display venture managed by Barcud, which stated that the operation could be terminated anytime.
Despite opposition from the local town council and worries about the parking reduction adversely affecting tourism-dependant businesses, council officers consistently advised approval of the plans. The development offered a mixture of housing sizes whilst retaining 91 of the existing 209 spaces.
Detractors have raised questions concerning the necessity for some types of affordable housing included in the plan, emphasising the detrimental impact on local amenities.
Article continues below
Objectors have previously voiced concerns on the council's planning portal, suggesting that the proposed scheme could lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour and even claims that "families would 'be coming from Birmingham'" if it went ahead.
The New Quay Traders Association has expressed strong economic concerns, launching an online petition on change.org titled 'Save New Quay car park - Protect our future', which garnered around 2,500 signatures.
Their statement read: "The car park is central to our local economy and taking away this space will lead to a significant decrease in visitors and tourists. It's a simple equation - less parking equals less visitors."
‌
They further warned: "Less visitors will impact our economy and cause job losses. Not only will this impact economic growth but also cause local congestion and less spaces for local residents."
Despite these objections, the scheme was recommended for approval at the May meeting of Ceredigion Council's development management committee, after being deferred from meetings in February and March for site visits and additional information.
A report from council officers counters the claim by opponents that the loss of parking is being "disregarded" and "dismissed", with housing association Barcud pointing out that alternative parking exists within the town, including 169 spaces at Lewis Terrace, managed by an operator who reportedly does not open year-round due to a lack of demand.
‌
The report disputed claims about the potential economic impact, acknowledging that the loss of parking spaces would have an effect but arguing that an additional 98 permanent residents would bring their own benefits.
At the May committee, councillor Matthew Vaux expressed concerns that the development would negatively impact the seaside town's economy, particularly due to the loss of parking spaces.
He referred to a report commissioned by those opposing the scheme, pointing out numerous flaws in the proposed plans, especially regarding parking issues.
‌
Discussing the economic impact, he said: "Already in New Quay we've lost our local butcher, and lost our post office and convenience store; the town relies heavily on tourism to keep it propped up, this all plays a part in the economy, it's necessary."
Planning officer Sarah Groves-Phillips responded that planners couldn't require an economic assessment on a housing application, suggesting that the closure of the butcher and post office could be due to insufficient year-round residents in the town.
Councillor Marc Davies acknowledged that there "was no doubt social housing is needed in Ceredigion," but emphasised: "The important thing is where we build those houses," expressing "no doubt" that the loss of parking would affect the town's economy.
‌
"We have to listen to the local people, not just one or two, there's been lots who voiced an opinion; local people in New Quay are totally against this application, I haven't seen any business in New Quay that favours this application."
Councillor Gareth Lloyd stated, before expressing his concern about who would benefit from the proposed social housing. "Social housing is needed but who's going to have the opportunity to live there?" he questioned, adding: "It's people who have huge problems, people from outside the county that have social housing; it will be people from away that live in New Quay, most probably."
Councillor Lloyd continued to discuss how this situation could unintentionally harm New Quay's locals: "In any other area we would welcome them, and it would be good news. No doubt there's a need for social housing, the problem is where the houses are going to be placed."
‌
He then recommended an alternative proposition: "It's bringing people into the town under a cloud, I can't support it," he finished, after suggesting that a scaled-back development of roughly 15 homes and additional parking might garner more favour, fearing the current plans could negatively impact the local economy so severely that residents may feel compelled to migrate for work.
Contrary to the apprehensions about out-of-town residents moving into the new social housing, officials refuted this fear by highlighting the existence of a local lettings policy and the genuine local demand for such housing.
Head of planning for Ceredigion, Russell Hughes-Pickering, advised councillors on the complexity of their choices, given the area was already slated for both residential and parking expansion.
‌
He highlighted that a previously rejected larger plan for open market housing at the site had garnered only a handful of objections. He warned of the risk of potential Welsh Government call-ins or judicial reviews or appeals from either party concerning the current application.
Despite being recommended for approval, the application was turned down by eight votes to five. When explaining their rationale for opposing the officer recommendations, councillors emphasised they held "nothing against social housing" while expressing concerns about potential economic effects on local businesses, the design, and the impact on roads.
Barcud responded to the decision by stating: "Barcud awaits the formal decision notice from the local planning authority setting out the grounds for refusal and following receipt, will assess the options for the site."
Article continues below