A PUBLIC inquiry is due to take place this summer about a contentious housing scheme planned for Pembrey, Carmarthenshire.
Persimmon Homes wanted to build 100 properties on land between Garreglwyd and Heol y Mynydd, north of the A484.
Carmarthenshire Council planning officers recommended the development for approval but it was turned down by the council’s planning committee at a meeting in October 2019.
There were many objections to the application but officers felt these had been addressed, and added that the land in question had been allocated for housing.
Committee members, however, rejected the application on a number of grounds, including highways, protection of the natural environment, and the Welsh language. Persimmon Homes then appealed.
In February this year the planning committee was told that officers have preparing the council’s case to defend the appeal. This part of the virtual meeting was held behind closed doors for legal reasons.
Minutes from the meeting said the committee unanimously resolved that planning officers would notify Persimmon Homes that the authority intended to defend the appeal, which will be determined by a Welsh Government-appointed inspector.
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “The appeal is currently scheduled for a public inquiry in the summer. This may take place virtually but will be dependent on the Covid regulations in place at the time.”
Persimmon Homes confirmed it was continuing with the appeal.
A spokesman for the housebuilder said:
“We believe that this development would provide 100 much-needed homes for local people, while providing other significant benefits to the community through Section 106 (planning) agreements.
“These are considerations that we hope will be considered by the inspectorate as part of the appeal.”
Pembrey councillor Hugh Shepardson said he, an action group which opposed the application, and Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council would resubmit objections to the planning inspector.
Cllr Shephardson said: “We think access to the site is totally unsuitable.”
