Residents will fight new plan

9:20am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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CONCERNED residents have established an action group to represent their views on the proposed £100 million redevelopment of The British in Talywain.

The British Development Action Group has been established by locals living in Talywain, Garndiffaith, Pentwyn and Abersychan who have expressed “grave concerns” about the proposed development by landowners Spring (Talywain) Ltd.

The company has submitted an application to Torfaen Council to reclaim 125 acres of the 1,100 acre site over an estimated four-year period before continuing with a masterplan to redevelop the site as a residential, retail and leisure site.

The first stage of the scheme, to extract an estimated 350,000 tonnes of coal, could begin this autumn if planning permission is granted.

Spring (Talywain) Ltd has held public meetings and exhibitions about the scheme and established a community liaison group, but the breakaway action group was formed by those who felt their opinions were being dismissed without proper consideration.

Jean Church, acting chairman, said: “The decision to create an action group follows the grave concerns voiced by residents who attended the liaison group meetings that their opinions, whilst requested, are being dismissed without proper consideration.”

The group has three primary areas it will be highlighting to Torfaen Council as the planning authority.

One is the suggested breach of the current leisure route, which runs through the site.

Members say the route is well used by walkers and cyclists.

“This facility lies at the heart of our community and we do not, under any circumstances, want to lose it,” said Mrs Church.

The group also opposes the suggested construction of 800 residential properties on the site and is urging councillors and officers to listen to residents’ concerns.

Mrs Church added: “A grave current concern is that mere lip service is being paid to the residents’ concerns.

"This reclamation cannot be managed by the employment of ‘tick box’ exercises but a genuine partnership approach designed to achieve an outcome that secures both economic and social benefits for all concerned.”