Residents in Pennard, Wales, are facing the possibility of their beautiful view being ruined by a proposed housing development on common land and sand dunes behind their properties. The Pennard Golf Club has put forth the land for potential affordable housing, causing distress among locals who value the ecological importance of the area. The land in question is located on the periphery of the golf course, bordered by Linkside Drive, Sandy Lane, and Norton Drive.
Maurice Clarke, a resident of Linkside Drive, expressed his devastation at the prospect of houses being built on the land that currently provides an unobstructed view across the landscape and the links course. The golf club has submitted the land as a candidate site for housing in the new Swansea-wide planning blueprint, known as a local development plan. The club highlighted the need for affordable housing to help local families, young people, and key workers find homes within their community.
Despite the need for housing, residents like Clarke and Jeff Rogers emphasised the ecological significance of the land and its importance as a recreational area. They suggested alternative sites for development and expressed concerns about the impact of housing on the local wildlife and community. The Pennard Community Council organised a public meeting where over 150 people gathered to discuss the proposed development and voice their objections.
The Gower Commoners Association noted that the land is common land, which would require negotiations with commoners and a land exchange under the 2006 Commons Act if housing plans move forward. The council clarified that while designations for common land and biodiversity sites do not necessarily rule out development, they are crucial factors to consider during the assessment process. The council urged residents to participate in the ongoing consultation for the new development plan before it closes on April 18.
Local residents, including Barbara Bennett and Rhidian Lewis, shared their concerns about the potential impact of the housing development on their surroundings and wildlife. They highlighted the emotional and environmental value of the land in question and called for a thorough assessment of the proposal’s implications. The community council is formulating a response to the golf club’s submission and planning wildlife surveys of the area to gather more information.
The golf club assured residents that the submission of the candidate site does not guarantee development approval at this stage. They pledged to engage openly with residents to address concerns and prioritise the community’s best interests in any decision-making process. The development plan, LDP2, is set to run until 2038, with several rounds of consultation planned before finalising any site allocations. The local community remains vigilant and engaged in shaping the future development of Pennard.