CONTROVERSIAL plans for 61 new homes in Llandovery have been given the go-ahead despite claims they could harm the town's character, put a strain on public services and devalue nearby homes.
Carmarthenshire Council planning committee approved the homes for Dan y Crug, Brecon Road, on the edge of the town — despite 28 objection letters and a petition.
The land was earmarked for 32 homes within the council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) but now the site is slightly larger at 7.4 acres.
At a meeting of the council planning committee, action group Latra (Llandovery Area Tenants and Residents Association) and the Calon Cymru Network highlight- ed their concerns over the plans.
Latra secretary Babs Woollon said: "We are not against development on this site, just that it is too large a scheme for the town.
"The council has said that 31 homes on the site was not economically viable for the site. We argue that doubling the amount of homes to make it economically viable should not be a planning consideration either."
She added carbon dioxide emissions from more vehicles due to the homes would also be an issue.
Martin Golder, from Calon Cymru Network, which looks at the interests of rural communities, said: "To cram that many homes into one area of that size is not sensible.
"It will have a detrimental impact on the culture of the town."
However, head of planning Eifion Bowen said there was no evidence to suggest that people moving into an area had a negative effect on the Welsh language but added it was an issue being monitored by the council. Speaking on behalf of the applicant, planning agent Andrew Bevan said other concerns raised by campaigners such as the site being close to a floodplain and drainage were being looked at.
He said 20 per cent of the homes would be designated as affordable housing.
Local councillor Ivor Jackson said: "We are restricted in Llandovery where we can build due to being on a floodplain.
"People have a choice to buy old houses but not many new, so we have to expand as a town."