Plans to demolish a Llanfairfechan house to create an access route for a new housing estate were thrown out at a Conwy planning committee meeting on Thursday.

Applicant Llion Thomas wanted to demolish 11 Gorwel in Llanfairfechan so Coastal Construction could build 43 houses on a field at the back of the estate.

Despite officers recommending that the committee voted in favour of the development, the planning committee threw out the plans.

Officers explained the new housing scheme included 13 affordable homes being built in a county facing a housing crisis.

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The meeting came after 179 objection letters were lodged by residents.

Councillors heard that members of the community had been left “enraged” about the plans, largely due to traffic safety concerns.

After rejecting the application, the committee – which will have to rubberstamp its decision in January after going against officers’ advice – was warned the developer could appeal.

Opening the debate, former county councillor and current town councillor Andrew Hinchliffe told the committee that any councillor thinking of granting the application should be “ashamed”.

“Who did the last traffic assessment, notwithstanding the enormous inconvenience of construction, traffic, mess, noise, access, the question of whether the type and size of homes are what Llanfairfechan needs?” he said.

“This is not a question of nimbyism. The whole community is enraged by the proposals. If the council had produced a new LDP (local development plan), the site would be out of the question. It’s building for building’s sake.”

He added: “If you vote for this development, you should be thoroughly and deeply ashamed of yourself.

“The community of Llanfairfechan deserves better and will not forgive or forget you.”

The developer’s agent spoke in favour of the development.

He said: “For the best part of two years, the applicant and his team have collaborated with statutory consultees and community stakeholders, carefully listening, adapting, and leaving no stone unturned to ensure we have responded positively to all concerns raised.

“For instance: addressing the site of homes, balconies removed, plans changed to avoid facing windows, and introducing obscure glazing, all responding to points raised by neighbouring residents.

“The very fact that we have received no objections from statutory consultees demonstrates the collaborative approach and the interests of shaping the future placemaking of Llanfairfechan.”

But Cllr Penny Andow said there were currently 123 homes on Gorwel, each with at least one or two cars.

Cllr Andow claimed a further 43 homes would further increase traffic on roads with narrow pavements.

She said: “Pavements aren’t wide enough for safe access. School children walk this route every day.

“The highway plans do not meet Welsh policy. Residents, including children, are going to be put at further risk.

“Our new resident base will also be put at further risk. This site does not meet planning policy, does not meet highway safety.”

She added: “I place the safety of residents in your hands, planning committee, because the decision you make today will have a huge impact.

“We are not nimbys. We accept developments in Llanfairfechan, but not this dangerous site of development.”

Cllr David Carr felt differently.

He said: “I’m sure that the projections made by Cllr Penny (Andow) and the councillor from Llanfairfechan… they are listening to their residents.

“They are putting their views forward, but there is always an element of ‘not in my back yard‘, isn’t there?

“It is badly needed, and if our officers are happy with the arrangements and highways are happy – that’s crucial – we should go ahead with this.

“We are desperate for housing.”

Cllr Trystan Lewis said he had visited the area and was also concerned about traffic.

“I went at a time when it was school time, and Llanfaifechan was absolutely rammed,” he said.

“Going up to Gorwel, I had to reverse twice and let people come down. On one occasion, when I came back down from Gorwel, someone had gone up on the pavement to avoid another car.

“So that reflects how busy and dangerous it can be with cars.”

He added: “My concern is the traffic is so heavy, and then we double that. We have a responsibility for people who live in Llanfairfechan.”

Cllr David Carr proposed that councillors backed officers’ recommendation to allow the scheme, but no other councillor was willing to second the proposal.

Cllr Andrew Wood said he was unhappy with the road situation and proposed councillors refused the application, going against officers’ recommendation.

This was seconded by Cllr Trystan Lewis.

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Councillors voted against the plans, and the application was refused with just one councillor objecting and one deferring.

After the decision, Cllr Chris Cater complained about members of the public making a noise in the council chamber’s public gallery.

He said: “Can I say, chair? It is very irritating sitting here when every argument on one side is booed.

“It is really not on. I think you should really instruct the members of the public that they need to stay silent because it is really off-putting during the debate.”

Committee chairman Cllr Austin Roberts said he hadn’t heard any noise but would have intervened if he had.