Abergele Councillors Sam Rowlands and Tim Rowlands with Darren Millar AM on the proposed development site in Abergele
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar is supporting Abergele residents in their fight to protect a green space in the town.
Darren is concerned about the proposed development on fields at the rear of St George Road and Maes-y-Dre in Abergele and like residents would like to see the area designated as a village green instead.
The Welsh Labour Government’s draft Planning Bill proposes to prohibit the registration of land as a town or village greens where it has been identified for development.
Labour Ministers also plans to enable landowners to deposit statements with their local council, challenging people’s use of the land for recreation.
At present, local people can apply to register land as a green space if they have enjoyed it for 20 years for informal recreation, without being stopped or given permission. Once registered, the land is protected from development.
The Open Spaces Society, the leading pressure-group for the protection of green spaces, has responded robustly to the Welsh Government’s proposals.
Supporting their objections, Darren said:
“The people of Abergele would like to see this area retained as a green space for the local community to enjoy and I am with them 100%.
“While we recognise the importance of planning for the future development needs, these should be balanced with protecting the environment and not at the expense of our beautiful countryside.
“It is unacceptable that the local discretion of councillors in the Abergele area is being undermined yet again by the Welsh Government.
“Local representatives know what’s best for their communities not Labour Ministers or civil servants based in Cardiff.
“I very much hope that councillors in the area will resist this pressure otherwise we could see the green, green grass of home disappear under layers of concrete.”
