RESIDENTS have been left “absolutely horrified” by a new social housing proposal in Meirionnydd.

Twelve new homes have been proposed in Tywyn, on the site of the town’s old medical centre, in a scheme which nearby homeowners have labelled­ an “over-development”.

Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG) are in the early stages of procuring and obtaining planning permission for the development adjacent to Pier Road.

With high demand for more social rented homes in the area, the proposal includes one block of eight flats designated for the disabled and/or those aged 55 and over, along with four family houses.

However, the block of eight flats will be three storeys high, dwarfing the bungalows in the surrounding area and even topping the height of the Catholic Church spire located nearby.

On Tuesday, 10 August, CCG held a drop-in session for local residents to see the proposed plans, leaving many unsettled.

Richard Whitehouse, a former mayor of Wolverhampton who has retired to Tywyn, has subsequently produced a petition calling for CCG to reconsider their plans.

“[We urge] Gwynedd County Council Planning Committee to refuse the application for the proposed development of houses/flats on the former medical Centre Site in Tywyn,” he said.

“We believe it is over-development of the site and will lead to a loss of visual amenity.

“The proposed three-storey block of flats is of primary concern since the surrounding properties are predominantly bungalows.

“There is also insufficient parking in the plans, with only 18 places for 20 bedrooms or 40+ residents.

“Many of the planned elderly and disabled units will require transport facilities not only for their own use but also because of family and carers etc. Our neighbouring streets already struggle with traffic.

“Additionally, the access to the properties on Talyllyn Drive is on a very narrow road next to a blind bend. Surely an accident waiting to happen?”

Mr Whitehouse has also accused CCG of simply “plonking” a ready-made housing development from elsewhere in the centre of Tywyn, and suggests the scheme is “unsympathetic”.

A CCG spokesperson said: “There is a high demand for affordable social housing in Tywyn with over 80 people on the current waiting list for homes in the area.

“We are proposing to transform the former health centre site to four two-bedroom family homes and eight flats, which will be for people over 55 years old or with a disability. These plans include ample parking spaces, spacious gardens and the buildings will be smaller in height in comparison to the three storey Victorian properties across the road.

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“A number of residents came to see our officers at the pre-planning consultation last week. The majority of the feedback was very positive with 84 per cent of people supporting the proposed plans. A small proportion of residents voiced some concerns, and we will be taking their comments into account as we move forward with the planning application.”See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online now