THE public inquiry into the redevelopment of the former at Cwrt-y-Gollen army camp is due to conclude this week reports ANDY SHERWILL.

The inquiry is deciding on whether planning permission should be granted for the redevelopment of the site into a mixed use development comprising of 200 houses, employment provision, a pre-school nursery and a residential care home, along with allotments and a community orchard.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority refused to grant planning permission to Crickhowell Estates in June 2010 and have appealed against the decision.

Councillor Sue Shaw, chairman of the Vale of Grwyney Community Council told the inquiry: "Glangrwyney is a small village of around 100 houses, of which 30 of these are still occupied by the Ministry of Defence, with the occupants being transient soldiers. So in effect there are about 70 private residential houses at Cwrt-y-Gollen.

"This means that if this development were allowed, it would not triple the size of the village, but quadruple it. I doubt that there are any other examples of a huge housing development being fostered on an isolated village, especially in a National Park.

"A development of this size will destroy the community as we know it and it can only have a negative effect – In fact we can't think that there are any positives for us."

Assembly Member Kirsty Williams addressed the inquiry and said: "I wholeheartedly agree with the statements raised by local community and town councils that the scale and density of this development is out of proportion. Allowing such a large development of 200 homes is a disgrace and I can think of no other application that has been granted in a National Park.

"Brecon and Radnor people need access to general housing stock and affordable housing, but all this additional housing in one small area is not acceptable. It seems we are disadvantaging other communities by denying them the opportunity to grow organically by proposing to place all the housing allocation on one single site.

"The inspector faces a hard decision, and the outcome will have a long lasting effect on the community, who will have to live with the consequences if the scheme were approved." 

Traffic engineering expert Lorna Randall-Jones outlined some of the highways issues: "Vehicular access to Cwrt-y-Gollen would be provided from the existing access which would be improved by providing kerbed refuges to protect vehicles turning right and assist pedestrians wishing to cross the A40."

"The main concerns raised by local interested groups, which relate to traffic and highways issues, were the safety of the site access and the impact on the A40 along with the impact on the bailey bridge between Glangrwyney and Gilwern."

Councillor Shaw pointed out: "We live in Glangrwyney and therefore we have first hand experience of living alongside the specific stretch of road as refereed to in various transport reports.

"We therefore know what effect the unnecessary generation of an extra 2,200 vehicle movements exiting and entering this site per day will have.

"The assertion that 2,200 vehicle movements concentrated at one junction, in addition to the introduction of pedestrians crossing this extremely fast stretch of road will actually improve safety is difficult to reconcile.

"This council has already requested that this stretch of road should be reduced from 60 mph to 40 mph, but was refused by the Welsh Assembly Government."  

Mrs Randall-Jones added: "The accident statistics shows that there have only been two accidents which were associated with the site access and the adjacent layby.

"The proposed access improvements will rectify the existing deficiencies in the existing arrangement and the highway safety record should be improved and not made worse as suggested by objectors."

Councillor Shaw raised another issue: "The evidence presented at this inquiry does not address the problem of the flooding issues at the main entrance and the proposed emergency entrance. The houses near the main entrance flood quite regularly, with one resident having four insurance claims over flooding as the floodwater reached one metre in height.

"The concentration of 60 affordable houses in one development cannot be classed as a benefit. This will stifle organic growth throughout the park and according to the Rural Housing Enabler, should not be allowed.

"When the planning application was first submitted, and in the event of the development proceeding, this community council requested that this development and the village be connected to the mains sewage system. This would be of a benefit to the whole community of the Vale of Grwyney."

"The local residents do not want this development and would like to believe that they are listened to by those in authority," concluded Councillor Shaw. It is our village and we are the people who will have to live with the consequences should this development be permitted."

The inquiry is expected to conclude tomorrow, Friday, February 25.