A COUNTY councillor has criticised a proposed 73-home development in Old Colwyn, saying residents are already “infuriated” and the scheme could “sound the death knell of the village”.

Cllr Bob Squire (Eirias ward) has long been an outspoken critic of over-development in the area.

In March last year he said new housing schemes were “destroying the quality of life” for his constituents and putting a strain on local services.

Now he has railed against a mixed planning application on land adjacent to  Bryn Rodyn, Dolwen Road, which is bidding for full permission for 54 homes and outline approval on 19 dwellings.

The 101-home Bryn y Mor estate lies next to it and across Dolwen Road sits the 42-property Dolgau development.

Cllr Squire told the developer the proposal is “borne of sheer greed” rather than “any sensible planning reasons or practical considerations” and increasing the population would pressurise local services such as schools and GPs.

In a letter, he told applicant Maxi Developments NW Ltd: “I  would like to strongly object to your proposal to develop 73 houses on land at Bryn Rodyn, Old Colwyn.

“This part of Old Colwyn has been the subject of years of development  despite massive opposition from the people of Old Colwyn who have heartily had enough.”

He said the granting of a recent development of 22 houses in the area had already “infuriated residents of Old Colwyn”.

Cllr Squire added: “Where you are currently considering is virgin greenfield land, in open countryside, outside the settlement boundary and not in the LDP – and does not now even have the support of Tan 1.

“The land in question is well away from shops, schools, services, GP practices and all other infrastructure necessary to sustain the additional population which 73 homes would generate.”

Tan 1 put a responsibility on local authorities to ensure a five-year supply of  housing and was used by many developers to justify schemes.

It led many councils to allow developments outside of local development boundaries they otherwise might have refused.

However this directive to councils has now been removed by Welsh Government, giving more control to planning committees.

Cllr Squire added: “Your proposal will only engage the wrath of the people of Old Colwyn as any further development could sound the death knell of the village and destroy what little quality of life we have left.

“Equally I cannot answer for what measures may be taken by the residents to protect what is left of their environment and protest in the strongest manner possible.”

Cllr Squire also claimed there had been historic problems with “water supply, main sewerage provisions, surface water disposal, land drainage and concerns about maintaining minimal pressure in the water mains” in the area.

Sarinah Farooq of Cadnant Planning, who are acting as agents for Maxi Developments NW Ltd, accepted it was a “big change” but said the applicant was “happy” to meet with any requirements to make it work.

She said: “Every contribution that’s required as part of this location the developer is willing to provide.

“There’s a substantial amount of open space above the required amount, as well as a financial contribution to public open space.”

She said the company was willing to meet any section 106 requirements (which also involves contributing cash towards upgrading of local services) and 20% of the homes would be affordable.

Cycle and walking paths will link with neighbouring developments and Ms Farooq said existing issues with roads, especially at Marine roundabout would also be addressed.

She said: “We are proposing to improve the roads situation which is already an issue and was brought up in our consultation.

“If open market and affordable housing is needed in the area you will not get a better deal than this in our opinion.”

The Bryn Rodyn scheme will be split into two phases, with the first 54 home tranche comprising of nine four-bed, 41 three-bed and four two-bed houses.

The second phase proposes two four-bed and 17 three-bed properties, with 15 affordable homes being offered between the two stages of development.

Since completing a pre-planning enquiry, the developer said it had reduced the number of houses from its initial proposals of 120 dwellings.