A controversial plan to build 19 social homes in Penrhyncoch has been deferred for further information after attracting a slew of complaints.

Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee agreed to officer requests for a deferment at its meeting on 9 October.

The deferment came despite a full planning application from Wales and West Housing Association for the development at Pen y Banc being recommended for approval.

The plan was brought to the committee at the request of local member Cllr Dai Mason who had received more than 50 letters of objection.

The site had previously had a much smaller six home scheme approved with no local objections.

Trefeurig Community Council also recorded its objection on the grounds that it considered there were too may units and that would “change the character of the village”.

Cllr Mason told the Cambrian News: “The application was in my opinion completely dictated by Wales and West Housing from Cardiff, with no concerns for the residents and future planning for Penrhyncoch.

“To change planning for six to 19 on the same plot should have raised serious concerns at the planning department, as indeed it did for local residents, with a significant amount of letters of concern being sent in by local people from the village.

“The appropriate first step to take now, and I will do what I can to ensure this happens, is to replace the flats in front of the plot on the roadside overlooking local residents, and replace with bungalows that will result in a more balanced development comprising of a mixture of affordable and social housing for the needs of local people."

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