PEOPLE are sceptical about Conwy County Council’s plans to build 235 homes at the Ty Mawr site near Old Colwyn and Llysfaen.

The council has listed the agricultural land as for sale and developers have been asked to express their interest.

The 37.75-acre site is between Old Colwyn and Llysfaen, just off Berth Y Glyd Road and Peulwys Road, and is currently used as farmland.

Whilst planning consent is yet to be secured, the area is listed for residential development in Conwy’s local development plan.

The council confirmed the current farmer renting the land will be given notice once the sale is agreed.

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Conwy’s website boasts that the land is close to both Chester and Manchester. But many social media users have been critical of the plans.

One wrote: “There is no mention of the impact on existing residents on Peulwys Estate. The council are sticking more houses up here without considering the current community facilities and services.

“The buses are not great; we need more shops, and I struggle to get to the doctors. The site is big enough to develop more than just housing – including green spaces, allotments, bus terminals, shops, businesses – and make it more of a community that it is currently in need of. Don’t be so blinkered, council.”

Another said: “I wonder if they even read ‘The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales’ published 2021/2022? In it Conwy Council (our very own) voiced concerns that ‘without traditional, smaller Welsh family farms, there would be an impact on communities, the language, the landscape and habitats, which are essential and distinctive qualities of the culture, communities and landscape in Wales’.

“Surely this land is/was part of such a small farm. It looks like money is the real driver here and their statements to the House of Commons and Welsh Affairs Committee were just hollow words.”

Sohandyandy said: “So 71 of the houses are going to be ‘affordable’; how is ‘affordable’ calculated? Is it on the average wage, or is it calculated on the specification of the house and who can afford it? If the council cared at all, they would let a local housing association have first refusal of the 71.”

Cribcathod added: “This decision by the council will remove the only land boundary between Llysfaen and Peulwys (Old Colwyn) therefore basically destroying the integrity of Llysfaen as a rural village and just joining it to make one extended Old Colwyn. Also disgraceful is advertising it to incomers, as Llysfaen’s young people are already priced out by such. Hopefully our newly elected councillor will be able to get on the case to protect our identity!”

Lily.55555 wrote: “The council should be accountable to the people. History predicts that these homes will be bought by people from outside the area. This practice has changed Flint forever and is now progressing further and further along the North Wales coast.”

Ghostlight said: “Typical the council own the land but won’t build rentable homes on it. As usual, anything for a quick buck. There are long lists of people waiting for homes and the council put homes for people to BUY as first choice. Doesn’t matter that there is a lack of reasonable well-paid jobs in the area? So people who want a home will probably come from outside of the area.”

Paleride added: “What about all the empty houses in the Colwyn Bay area? Do them up first. As for locals having these, think again! The new estate will no doubt be called Manchester court or Merseyside crescent.”

DD Jones wrote: “I wonder if they will be sold to people from out of the area or in this area only? Who is keeping a record of what locals need? Because if they keep selling to people out of the area, then the need will be to build more, and if not, the need will be met!”

Llys said: “Affordable housing for locals? I doubt it.”