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' Hands off our open space'
- say Cimla residents
Evening Post, Friday, August 14, 2009,
RESIDENTS are fighting back over fears that historic land in Neath could be torn up to make way for housing.
They will issue a rallying cry at a public meeting in Cimla next week.
There is widespread concern that a number of local sites have been suggested as part of the new local development plan, the blueprint the council works from outlining how it would like to see areas developed, and which kinds of things are suitable for which area.
Among the development sites put forward for Cimla is land behind Woodview, land at Glannant Farm and land at Brynnau Farm.
Residents' representative David Roberts said they wanted to raise awareness that there is only a few weeks left for people to comment on proposed sites.
"It is right here, right now that people have to start protesting," he said.
Mr Roberts confirmed that an action group was expected to be set up at the meeting to oppose plans for further development in Cimla.
"Cimla has been short- changed on so many occasions," said Mr Roberts.
Scores of people have posted comments on the council website blasting the suggested sites.
Referring to the proposal for land behind Woodview, Sylvia Richards said: "My family have been living here for 30 years since the house was built, and are fed up with land around us being slowly eaten away."
Local councillor John Warman said he had been inundated with emails and phone calls from residents. He said the area was unsuitable for further development.
"We are bursting at the seams," he said. "There has to be a gap between building settlements, and a space where people can enjoy themselves."
Geoff White, the council's head of planning, said there had been extensive publicity about the local development plan.
He said the process was one in which anyone could put forward a development site for possible inclusion in the plan.
"It does not mean the site will be included, but it does mean we will consider its inclusion," said Mr White.
The public meeting will be held at Cimla Community Centre on Friday, August 21, at 7pm.
Campaigners fear housing
development surge in Cimla
Evening Post, August 23, 2009,
CAMPAIGNERS battling controversial plans to develop historic land in Neath are urging
people to get their voices heard before it is too late.
More than 250 Cimla residents turned up at the village's community centre to voice their unhappiness about Neath Port Talbot's local development plan.
Nine sites in the Cimla area form part of the scheme, with residents fearful that changing the land's status from "green wedge" to residential will lead to a surge in the number of houses.
Organisers say they plan to go all the way in the fight against the local council - and called on objectors to send letters to the council ahead of a deadline of August 31.
Campaigner David Roberts: "These plans form policy for the future, which if they go ahead will make it easier for houses to be built.
"We need to make our voices heard now before it is too late."
Among the "potential" development sites are land behind Woodview, land at Glannant Farm and land at Brynnau Farm.
For more on this story, see Monday's Evening Post.
Hundreds protest at
plans for Cimla sites
Neath Guardian, August 27 2009,
HUNDREDS of Cimla residents turned out to a meeting against plans to develop historic and green wedge land.
Campaigners against proposed candidate sites for the Local Development Plan (LDP) called the meeting at the community centre last Friday.
They urged people at the meeting and across Cimla to make their voices heard before time runs out.
The current timeline for comments about the proposed candidate sites closes on August 31.
Nine sites across the suburb have been put forward as suggested sites for the LDP, which sets out the Council’s strategy and objectives for the use and development of land in the county borough over a 15-year period from 2011.
Campaigner David Roberts said: “The first thing everybody can do is make your views knows to the council.
“The next step is to gather what kind of strength we can.”
More than 250 people turned out to the meeting to see a presentation by Phil Jones, another campaigner against the proposed sites.
The proposed candidate sites include land at Brynnau Farm, land behind Woodview and at Glannant Farm and land off Greenwood Drive.
Sites on the Neath South ward include Hillside, two sites at Cae Rhys Ddu, the former Tudor Inn and land at Cae Rhys Ddu and Bwlch Road.
Mr Roberts added: “We have all got a part to play.
“We want to represent all of Cimla. We can all support each other.
“Cimla is big enough now.We all know it’s creaking at the seams.”
He added: “I think we have all got to stand together, it’s our Cimla and our future.”
In response to the issues raised at the meeting and in other meetings throughout the borough, cabinet member for the Environment at Neath Port Talbot Council, David Lewis, said: “I wish to emphasise that no decision has been made on the inclusion of any site.
“But, as each site has been suggested, these have been publicised.
“This is because we want to know everyone's views on these sites and suggestions. It is also a requirement of the Assembly.
“This is only the first step towards preparing a blueprint for the future shape of Neath Port Talbot, and further consultations will take place over the next two years.”
Following the meeting, the Guardian was also told of a petition at Tonna Post Office regarding opposition to proposed sites in the village.