'CONVERSATION events' on plans to build between 100 and 150 news homes in Llanrhos are being held.

Conwy County Borough Council is currently consulting the public over its new replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP), which governs what can be built and where from late 2024/early 2025.

Conwy is in the middle of a housing crisis, and five sites have been set aside for significant development, including Llanrhos.

The plans to build the homes have been slammed by Llanrhos Local Residents’ Group.

Members have written to councillors in opposition to the plans for land off Pentywyn Road and Bryn Lupus Road.

Residents in Llanrhos claim they have already made it clear the homes are unwanted, after proposals for a new school and homes met significant objection four years ago.

A leaflet to residents, from Conwy County Borough Council and Planning Aid Wales, says: "Conwy County Borough Council would like to include the above site [Llanrhos] in their next Local Development Plan. This plan will be the basis for decisions on future planning applications on the site.

"The are considering allocating the site to deliver 100-150 new homes, including affordable housing.

"Conwy have asked Planning Aid Wales to have conversations with the community surround the site to get your views on the site."

Conservation Events will take place on:

  • Online workshop: Tuesday, 16 January 10am until 11.30am
  • Workshop on Tuesday, January 23 - 2pm at Llanrhos Old School
  • Workshop on Tuesday, January 23 - 5.30pm until 7.30pm at Llanrhos Old School

Residents must book a place in order to attend, visit https://shorturl.at/bxALR

The leaflet adds: "Both events will include structure discussions around the community's views on the site. These discussions will take place for the full time advertised.

"Discussions will include topics like the layout and access to the site, the scale of what is being proposed and matters important to the community.

"Please note the events will be facilitated by Planning Aid Wales. To encourage open conversation Conwy Officers will not be in attendance. Conwy County Borough Council will be running formal public consultation events on the Deposit Replacement LDP next year, dates for these will be promoted on Conwy County Borough Council website.

"After the events we will write of summary of your feedback which we will present to you for checking and send them back to Conwy County Borough Council for consideration.

"We look forward to seeing you at the events above. If you are unable to make either event, please send your comments to deb@planningaidwales.org.uk or 02920625004 by Wednesday, January 31."

Local resident Keith Harries has lived in the village for over 30 years and represented the residents’ group.

“The land is farmland at the moment,” he said.

“It protects the village of Llanrhos from the boundary with Deganwy and Llandudno.

“If they go for 150 homes, they’re going to increase the size of the village by 65 per cent. Residents don’t want it. It is on green wedge land. Once you start lifting green wedge land, it is possibly going to open the floodgates to development.

“It is a small village. This is going to alter the demography, and this is going to extend the boundaries between Deganwy and Llanrhos. There will only be a football pitch-sized gap. It will very much destroy the character of the area.”

He added: “In 2019, at two local roadshows, council planning officers were selling this development to local residents, stating that there was a need to move Deganwy school to a new site in Llanrhos and that a housing development would offset some of the cost of a new school.

“There were 1,130 objections lodged with the planning department.”

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A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said: “The site is a potential allocation in the Replacement LDP.

“The LDP process takes several years to complete and will not be in place until late 2024/early 2025.

“This is an opportunity for residents to have early input into potential sites so that their views can be incorporated before site details are drawn up.

“In response to feedback that the community wanted to get involved as soon as they could, these engagement events are in addition to the standard LDP stages and consultation.

“Further formal consultation with the public will take place next year on the Replacement LDP strategy, policies, and sites."

What are you thoughts on what is being planned for Llanrhos? Email suzanne.kendrick@newsquest.co.uk