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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Housing plan in tiny Welsh village finally gets go-ahead after 5 years
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. Article continues below 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." Article continues below The proposal received unanimous backing from the committee members. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Hayscastle Cross housing approved after five-year wait
In an application recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee, Mr and Mrs Down sought permission for a hybrid application for the erection of one dwelling, along with outline permission for two more on land east of Ty Gwyn (Y Bwthyn), Hayscastle Cross, near Haverfordwest. The scheme had been brought to committee as it was recommended for approval despite being contrary to the authority's development plan, a sticking point being a small part being outside the settlement boundary. The scheme includes a commuted sum contribution to affordable housing, in the case of Hayscastle Cross set at 10 per cent, of the development value, amounting to £15,262.50. Affordable housing contributions in the county vary from as low as five per cent in Fishguard and Pembroke Dock to as high as 25 per cent in towns like Narberth. Five letters of objection raised concerns including drainage, traffic generation, housing need, flooding and it being a linear development. 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.' Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd said he was 'shocked at the time' that had passed since the application was first lodged some five years ago. He said the scheme had faced 'a lot of hurdles' since it was submitted, including the Covid-19 pandemic, delays over addressing phosphate concerns and there being a nearby SSSI. He said the scheme, with its £15,000 affordable housing contribution, would 'enhance this little bit of Haycastle Cross'. The application was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, with new committee chair Cllr Mark Carter, whose own ward is nearby, saying: '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.' The application was unanimously approved by committee members.
