Opposition grows against plans for 1200 homes on farmland near Sebastopol
9:10am Monday 11th April 2011
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OPPOSITION to plans to build 1,200 houses on farmland and woods in south Sebastopol gathered steam after Friends of the Earth launched a successful Youtube campaign.
In February this year, Barratt Homes updated plans originally submitted in 2001 to Torfaen council to build the homes despite an overwhelmingly negative response from local people.
As part of the planning application, developer Barratt Homes held three days of public consultation last November when 237 visitors saw its homes exhibition with over 80 per cent of the overall
comments negative.
Residents’ concerns included an increase in traffic and building on greenbelt land.
As well as up to 1,200 homes, proposals include open space, a village core, sports provision and sustainable transport improvements.
Following changes being made to the original plans Carole Jacob, from Friends of the Earth, said: “When I saw the updated plans we were horrified to see a bridge which would cross the canal had
been changed to reside over the tunnel between Sebastopol and Cwmbran, which is a grade two listed building.
“This site is rich in environmental wildlife as well as otters and birds. Verbally we were told this plan would change but we haven’t been informed of new plans being drawn up.”
Friends of the Earth decided to draw public attention to the plans by making an informative Youtube video, which had over 170 views, as well as holding two public meetings to allow the public to
ask questions.
Ms Jacob added: “Its all very complicated and over 100 people took the opportunity to ask questions and took away forms so that they could express their views to the council by April 21.”
The video entitled “Be a friend of the earth, save its beauty” can be viewed on Youtube, while anyone can express their opinion about the plan by writing to the planning department in County Hall,
Cwmbran.
The technical director of Barratt South Wales. Huw Llewellyn said: “The site at Sebastopol is a major development of 1,200 units being jointly developed by a consortium including Barratt Homes,
Taylor Wimpey and the Welsh Assembly Government.
“Public consultations have been held with the local community and The Design Council for Wales and an alternative crossing point was recommended by Design Council for Wales to minimise the visual
impact of the canal crossing. “Following consultation an alternative has been proposed to Torfaen County Council and CADW on how the listed structure can be crossed without affecting its structural
integrity.”