A PLAN to build 40 homes in Waunfawr has received dozens of objections after more than 60 residents met online to discuss the plans.

Wales and West Housing has applied to Ceredigion County Council to build 28 affordable homes and 12 units for people with learning difficulty on land adjacent to Hafan y Waun.

In planning documents, Wales and West Housing said the development will “facilitate the delivery of a range of affordable and open market housing tenures” as well as provide a new learning disability facility which would offer “long-term benefits to repatriate a number of out-of-county placements, whilst at the same time delivering significant overall cost savings” to the council.

But dozens of objections have already been received by planners from residents and councils over the plans, following a meeting held over Zoom on 8 February.

Objectors say there are “grave concerns” over traffic and drainage in the area, with worries over the loss of a green space in the area and flooding issues.

Elin Mabbutt, who lives close to the site in Llanbadarn, said “questions must be raised as to the genuine demand for the proposed properties” that will lead to “an inevitable increase in traffic along Waunfawr and Primrose Hill – two roads that are already extremely busy throughout weekdays and backlogged during peak times”.

Michelle Strickerton, who lives in Waunfawr, said “the proposed site is one of the few green spaces remaining in the area” and is “used daily by ourselves and other residents of all ages”.

Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council said it objected to the scheme over “drainage problems, which is a well-known problem in Llanbadarn Fawr” as well as a “major traffic problem” if the plans went ahead and “the loss of green space which is so important for the well-being of local residents”.

Llanbadarn county councillor for Padarn Ward, Gareth Davies, also raised objections to the plans, calling the site “unsuitable” due to drainage and traffic issues.

David Kirby, of the Greener Aberystwyth Group, said that “the development would be another loss of a significant green space in the Aberystwyth area”.

“This area has provided outdoor activity for the local population of all ages who also benefit from the wildlife and botanical interest of a naturally damp habitat,” he said.

Objectors have also called for any decision on the plans to be delayed until coronavirus restrictions are eased to allow open meetings to take place.

The application, set to be decided by Ceredigion council planners later in the year, seeks outline permission for the whole development to be developed in phases, as well as full permission for the first phase including open space, and a new spine road from Cefn Esgair to Waunfawr Road.

The piece of land slated for development was sold by Ceredigion council last year.The development is a joint venture between Wales and West Housing and Ceredigion County Council.