Plaid Cymru Caerphilly Together, We Can Build a Brighter Future

More than 120 residents in Penpedairheol declared their opposition to controversial plans for a major housing development at a public meeting in the village.

The meeting  at Cascade Community Centre was organised by Plaid Cymru ward councillors Haydn Pritchard and Judith Pritchard and attended by Senedd Member Delyth Jewell and community councillor Roger Bevan.

Residents are worried that Caerphilly Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) will lead to a major housing development in the village.

St Cattwg ward councillor Judith Pritchard said: “The  possible development of Rhos Farm next to Duffryn Park could see 200 houses with 300-400 cars using one access road along Gwaun Fro. It would lead to traffic spilling onto the B4254 which is already gridlocked at certain times of the day because of the one-way traffic by the railway bridge at Pengam and delays at Pengam traffic lights.”

Fellow ward councillor Haydn Pritchard added: “Concern was also raised about the potential of flooding at Rhos Farm along with sinkholes and mining subsidence.

“Residents were concerned about the proximity of the site to a Roman fort and the possibility of archaeological remains on the site along with the land’s valuable ecological features.”

Fears were also expressed about possible building on the green wedge between Penpedairheol and Cefn Hengoed,  if proposed sites at Tir Jack and Tiryberth farms went ahead.

The meeting was informed that there was also likely to be a further application for housing development along Pengam Road between Bryn Siriol and Pengam Station which, residents fear, would mean even more traffic congestion as local roads struggle to cope with the extra vehicles. 

Residents were urged to respond to the council’s LDP consultation which is on the Caerphilly County Borough Council’s website either by email or letter and to visit the Business and Technology Centre at Tredomen to discuss matters with council planning officers.