PLANS to build scores of new homes in Connah’s Quay are on hold while key talks are held with developers.

An application to build 137 new houses on land near Ffordd Newydd, Connah's Quay, was deferred by members at a Flintshire Council planning meeting.

Developers David Wilson Homes said only 20 homes would be sold under affordable housing rules instead of the 41 low-cost homes which should be sold under Welsh Assembly guidelines.

Instead the firm has said it would donate five homes to the council at no extra cost.

Cllr Bernie Attridge said the council should not be tempted by the offer.

He told the meeting: “We are a planning committee, not a charity.

“Our policy is 30 per cent affordable housing and that is what it should be. I remember months ago when we wouldn’t budge from 30 per cent and now the economic times are being used as an excuse.

“There is no justification in this.”

Broughton South councillor Peter Pemberton added: “We have to stick by our policy or else it is a joke.”

Developers should also give £140,000 to nearby Wepre Primary School and £40,000 to local play areas, according to council policy.

Cllr David Barratt, ward member for the area, said: “At least one extra classroom will be needed for 137 new homes but they are full already. Even now they are using the corridors to teach in.

“If they are going to increase the number of children at that school they will need to donate more than £140,000.”

Members raised concerns on whether facilities could handle a larger population.
Cllr Barratt said: “An extra 137 homes brings us into a traffic problem and there will be up to 200 cars extra on the road."

If the plans are approved two-storey homes with two, three and four bedrooms, will be built on the 5.52 hectare site.

Welsh Water say the current public sewerage system would be overloaded if the homes were built and members of the Clwyd Badger Group have raised fears about a potential loss of badger foraging ground.

Andrew Taylor, planning director at David Wilson Homes, said: “We have worked in partnership with Flintshire Council to produce this high quality site and these plans have been through much scrutiny.

“This development will not only provide high quality standard of affordable housing but it will contribute significantly to the area.”