(Title Image: Paul Alexander via Save Our Fields Group)
On Wednesday, Bridgend Council debated a (fairly wordy) motion calling for the protection of green spaces in the county. The motion also called for confirmatory referendums within a council ward whenever a planning application would result in the loss of open space.
“Save Our Fields”
The motion was tabled at least partly as a result of feasibility work undertaken on land to the north of Archbishop John Lewis Primary School in Brackla for a Welsh-medium school.
The proposal would see Ysgol Bro Ogwr move to the new, enlarged school, with the present site on the Meadows estate becoming an English-medium school for overspill generated by Parc Derwen and housing developments around Brackla Industrial Estate. The wider issue there is poor planning for student numbers and building an under-sized Coety Primary.
When the news emerged it prompted a strong response from Brackla residents – given that Brackla is already over-developed – who started the “Save Our Fields” group.
It’s worth pointing out from the very start that a feasibility study doesn’t mean anything will happen. There’s been no planning application and there are, as I understand it, alternative sites being considered.
The Meeting
The meeting was webcast and the debate starts around 1:38:20 – here.
Cllr. Tom Giffard (Con, Brackla) – who co-submitted the motion – said residents were using open spaces more than ever during the pandemic, valuing their contribution to physical and mental health. Power over planning decisions needed to be put back in the hands of people, many of whom don’t believe they have much influence on the process.
Several Labour councillors thought the referendum requirement would bind the hands of the planning committee and could be illegal/unconstitutional – though it was later clarified that even if local referendums were introduced, they wouldn’t be binding anyway.
Officers also asked councillors to consider whether local referendums on planning issues would be an appropriate use of public funding when public consultations achieve similar results (though this is certainly debatable).
Cllr. David White (Lab, Newcastle) agreed with sentiment behind the motion, but it was unclear what it would achieve when green spaces have been successfully protected from development in his ward in the past.
Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, Ynysawdre) supported the motion and the idea of referendums. If a referendum was held on the Maesteg Road development in Tondu, the result would’ve been overwhelmingly against. Current consultations are inadequate. Numerous objections from the public, community councils and elected members were all ignored.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr. Richard Young (Lab, Pendre), said the motion called for measures which were already material considerations for planning decisions, with the public extensively consulted before any decisions are made.
Like many other opponents to the motion, he took issue with the referendum suggestion, believing consultations were better. He suggested that a re-worded motion would be passed in the future.
The Vote
There was a recorded vote. I don’t have a graphic for the council votes like Senedd Home, so apologies for the length of this.
For (17): Mike Clarke (Ind, Rest Bay), Norah Clarke (Ind, Nottage), Sorrel Dendy (Ind, Blaengarw), Cheryl Green (Lib Dem, Bryntirion Laleston & Merthyr Mawr), Tom Giffard (Con, Brackla), Altaf Hussein (Con, Penyfai), Aniel Pucella (Ind–Con, Brackla), Malcolm James (Plaid, Llangynwyd), Brian Jones (Ind, Porthcawl East Central), Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West), James Radcliffe (Plaid, Aberkenfig), Roz Stirman (Ind, Llangeinor), Tim Thomas (Ind, Ynysawdre), Sadie Vidal (Con, Litchard), Lyn Walters (Con, Oldcastle), Carolyn Webster (Con, Newcastle), Amanda Williams (Ind, Coity).
Abstain (4): Tom Beedle (Ind, Maesteg East), Keith Edwards (Ind, Maesteg East), Ken Watts (Ind, Newton), Alex Williams (Ind, Penprysg).
Against (25): Stuart Baldwin (Lab, Morfa), Jon-Paul Blundell (Lab, Cefn Glas), Nicole Burnett (Lab, Morfa), Richard Collins (Lab, Maesteg West), Huw David (Lab, Cefn Cribwr), Pam Davies (Lab, Bryntirion Laleston & Merthyr Mawr), Paul Davies (Lab, Caerau), Jane Gebbie (Lab, Pyle), Richard Granville (Lab, Cornelly), Gareth Howells (Lab, Caerau), Mike Kearn (Lab, Pyle), David Lewis (Lab, Sarn), Janice Lewis (Lab, Bryncoch), Gary McCarthy (Lab, Hendre), Dhanisha Patel (Lab, Ogmore Vale), Bridie Sedgebeer (Lab, Felindre), Rod Shaw (Lab, Pontycymer), Charles Smith (Lab, Llangewydd & Brynhyfryd), Stephen Smith (Lab, Pyle), Gary Thomas (Lab, Bryncethin), David White (Lab, Newcastle), Phil White (Lab, Caerau), Hywel Williams (Lab, Blackmill), Julia Williams (Ind, Hendre), Richard Young (Lab, Pendre).
