A TOWN council and residents have objected to plans to build 21 flats in a Denbighshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The scheme, on land to the rear of Dee Cottage, Mill Street, Llangollen, would see two blocks built housing a total of 21 one and two-bed flats – if Denbighshire councillors give it the green light.

The development, on behalf of applicant Vincent Degennaro of Dee Cottage, would include 26 car parking spaces.

However residents, along with the town’s council, have been raising objections to the plans which would be in the residential garden of Grade II listed Dee Cottage.

The design and access statement says the scheme will provide “much needed residential properties close to the town centre and to nearby amenities”.

The applicant would also provide a “commuted sum…in lieu of provision of community recreation open space”.

Yet Llangollen Town council considers the application “unacceptable in planning terms”.

In a letter to planners it said it would have a detrimental effect on traffic, an adverse impact on the appearance of the surrounding area and create a “loss of light” for properties on Bishops Walk, adjacent to the site.

An ecological survey noted “some commoner breeding birds” on the land and suggested any vegetation clearance should take place outside of the April to August nesting season.

Llangollen Civic Society has also written to Denbighshire county council objecting to the development, saying the plans for buildings are “not in keeping with the immediate surroundings”.

It cited traffic issues caused by more cars being brought into the locality and criticised the plans to have one main access through cul-de-sac Bishop’s Walk.

It claimed the development, which would be in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), would be a “stand out as a blot compared to Dee cottage, the houses on Bishops Walk and the Health Centre”.

Ten residents have also objected to the proposal, with complaints ranging from the privacy of those living in Bishop’s Walk being impacted to worries about increased traffic in the area and the buildings not being keeping with Dee Cottage.

The application will appear before Denbighshire council’s planning committee at a later date.