Opposition voiced against affordable homes plan in popular Anglesey resort

A plan has 17 affordable homes in an Anglesey village has met with opposition from local residents.

A housing association wants to build the homes in Benllech, where the average property price is nearly £250,000.

But villagers say they think it represents “over-development”, and some have objected to the proposals by Clwyd Alyn.

The houses would be built near the Craig y Don and Cherry Tree Close area of the village.

According to Clwyd Alyn, the development would include a mix of two, three and four bedrooms, all of which would be “100% affordable, owned and operated by Clwyd Alyn Housing under a tenure neutral arrangement.”

It says:  “In social terms, the scheme would provide affordable housing provision in an area where there is clearly an identified shortfall.

But according to several members of the community, Benllech is already big enough and growing,  with 27 houses already under construction there.

Cllr Ieuan Williams said the new plans stand outside of the village’s development boundary, describing its location within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and local wildlife zone as “a step too far.”

Fellow Lligwy ward councillor, Margaret Roberts, said local schools would struggle to accommodate any new pupils.

“The planning system needs to look at applications far more holistically – can the infrastructure in the village cope with another development?” she added.

Cllr Williams added: “The target number of houses for Benllech in the Local Development Plan (LDP) was 90, but we’re now at 116 with another 30 odd in the pipeline.

“That makes us 62% over our target and it begs the question of the point of having an LDP if we don’t stick to it, this would take us up to 81% above target.

But Clwyd Alyn argue that due to house prices being what they are in the village – with the cheapest two bedroom flat/apartment said to be listed at £189,000 – new builds are the only option as it would not be financially viable to purchase, decorate and modernise such properties for rent by a registered social landlord.

Adding there is a “proven need” for up to 69 affordable homes in Benllech, the applicants say it would represent a “positive contribution” and contribute to the housing needs of the area, pointing to a policy stating that  100% affordable housing schemes on sites immediately adjacent to development boundaries “that form a reasonable extension to the settlement” should be granted.

It’s expected that Anglesey Council’s planning committee will discuss the application over the coming weeks.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter