Original article by Mari Jones, Daily Post - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-housing-developm…
Move comes after the scheme was rejected by Conwy councillors when it went in front of the planning committee earlier this year.
A public inquiry will be held next month after developers behind a plan to build 93 homes yards from the Snowdonia National Park appealed the rejection of the scheme.
The land west of Sychnant Pass Road, Conwy, has been designated a “special landscape area”, and council planners voted by nine to three against the proposals earlier this year.
But Beech Developments Limited are now appealing that decision and claim the homes opposite Parc Sychnant are needed and satisfy Conwy’s requirement for a five-year housing supply.
Planning officers had also recommended approval of the scheme.
Anwyl Development recently built a number of houses within 100 yards of the site of the proposed Beech development.
Mike Roberts, land and planning director for Beech Developments, says local and national planning policies do not rule out development.
He added: “These policies insist that special care should be taken to ensure that a high quality development is achieved which integrates into the landscape.
“Features that have been identified as having potential for nesting birds and bats are generally being retained and enhanced. There is no conflict with biodiversity interests.”
Janet Finch-Saunders, AM for Aberconwy, said: “Numerous and wide-ranging objections to this proposed development were raised.
“The planning officer’s original report noted that ‘over 150 individual objection letters/emails have been received, plus a 515-name online petition and a 325-name paper petition’.
“Objections from consulted organisations were received from Conwy Town Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority, Snowdonia Society, Ramblers Association, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, and Conwy council’s conservation officer.
“The original refusal for this application was based on the proposed development not being in accordance with the Conwy LDP.”
The public inquiry will take place at the council chamber in Bodlondeb, Conwy, between October 26 and 28, and at the Guildhall in Rosehill Street, Conwy, on October 31 and November 1.
