Madam,

I am writing in relation to building boundaries in and around towns and villages in Gwynedd.

As most of us know there are set boundaries to the extent of where new houses and housing estates can be built on the outskirts of towns and villages, and referred to as the UDP (Unitary Development Plan), which is there to control the amount, location, and type of houses built, and there for a very good reason. And all councils are already in the process of identifying plots of land to further extend those building boundaries for the future, of which social housing will be included as part of them.

But at present, a clause has been put in by Gwynedd County Council with the ‘good intention’ of allowing social housing (estates) to be built outside these UDPs in special circumstances only. Unfortunately, this ‘clause’ has been picked up by some developers who are busy finding land-owners with land outside but fringing the present and future UDPs.

We all hear that more housing is required, and that we have to rely on the county council to grant or refuse permission for certain developments, whether we agree with them or not. But this clause allows op-portune developers to make a mockery of this ‘good intention’.

We have already had one housing project granted and built outside the UDP in our village. And plans for a second project have been submitted to the county council by the same developers.

So be aware all of you who believe that your community is pleasant, your unbroken view secure, your rural idyll undisturbed, or your house value guaranteed, in thinking that the building boundaries are ‘set in stone’. Have a ‘word’ with your county councillor now to make sure that these social housing projects are truly reflective of local needs, and not just setting a precedent to open the ‘flood-gates’ to such projects.

Yours etc,

P Gaffey, address supplied.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page