9 Llanrwst Road, Upper Colwyn Bay

Deletion from RLDP

I do not believe that site 9 constitutes appropriate development with the scope of the RLDP and I would lobby for its removal from the preferred strategy. I would observe that:

-The site sits entirely on agricultural pastures within Conwy's Green Wedge which was implemented to prevent the coalescence of Colwyn Bay and Bryn-Y-Maen

-Any development would encroach upon what is currently open countryside. A key purpose of these fields being listed within the county's Green Wedge is to safeguard against urban encroachment.

-The sites form an important local landscape feature cited by CCBC as contributing to the wider landscape character of the area. Protection of the site would safeguard important views across to Bryn Pydew Obelisk, The Great Orme, Puffin Island and Anglesey.

-CCBC itself states a general presumption against development in an area of this type as it is "inappropriate in relation to the purpose of the designation". Further, the most recent RLDP documents explain that "development should not be granted planning permission except in very exceptional circumstances" and that the construction of new buildings in a green wedge "is inappropriate development" unless it justified rural enterprise needs; essential facilities for outdoor sport, cemeteries or other uses of land which maintain the openness of the green wedge. I would suppose that the site proposers do not indeed to meet these development criteria.

-Given that the area to the north of the green wedge is almost exclusively made-up of large detached 4-6 bedroom houses, it seems unlikely that any commercial developer would address the specific housing needs of the RLDP opting perhaps instead for single large dwellings.

-Llanwrst Road at this point narrows to a (reasonably dangerous) 'pinch-point' inasmuch that it is a steep single track dark bend in the road. I do not believe the highway at this location is suitable and safe for additional traffic.

-There are more suitable brown-field locations included in the RLDP which could be redeveloped to allow preservation of the area's green wedge.

Reconsider keeping this area as agricultural land, which will preserve the stunning views and avoid the almost certainty of accidents.

The road here is very narrow and traffic comes down into the built up area very fast. Cars tend to travel slowly here, especially when people are looking at the stunning view of the Conwy estuary from the corner (which tourists often stop to do). I have personally had a number of near misses with traffic travelling too fast (despite the recent speed limit). Building here will also encroach on the area of separation of the town from the village of Bryn y Maen, which remains a rural hamlet.

I believe that these sites should not be included in the development plan.

These comments apply equally to Nos 77 and 110. The B5113 (Llanrwst Road) is particularly narrow with several "pinch points" between Nos 196 to 230 and involves 2 blind bends where vehicles regularly have to squeeze by or reverse.
I feel that the additional traffic generated by these possible developments would lead to many more such incidents. Additionally, access to Llanrwst Road from any of these sites would be far from ideal.