Row rages over green space plan in Rhyl

Sep 17 2008 by David Rutland, Rhyl Visitor

A CONTROVERSIAL green space at the centre of a long-running row between developers and residents has been earmarked for sheltered accommodation.

Householders on Rhyl’s Park View estate are battling against property giants Anwyl over ownership of a large open area traditionally used by residents for recreation.

Residents wanted to see the area landscaped and converted to a village green, but Anwyl wanted to build 35 homes on it.

The building application was withdrawn last October, but Anwyl claimed ownership of the plot and erected a fence to keep residents out.

Locals will soon find out if the council has granted the land village green status and Anwyl is set to raise the stakes and is planning to build a nursing home on the site.

Mike Pender, former policy, information & research manager at Denbighshire, has been employed by Anwyl since last year.

Earlier this month he sent an e-mail to former colleagues at Denbighshire – Graham Boase and Paul Mead.

In it, he explained that the fence is “temporary as far as Anwyl is concerned”, and adds: “We are working up an outline planning for a C2 planning (home providing extra care and attention) on the basis of the UDP, and our mutual understanding that such a use complies with the Unitary Development Plan here.

“Any such application will be submitted as soon as is reasonable after the outcome of the village green application.”

Residents’ Association chairman Phil Worley is not happy with the proposals.

“We’re not pessimistic – we’re angry,” he told the Visitor. “Anwyl is presuming that the village green application will be quashed and they want to go ahead with sheltered housing, which is not too far away from what they were planning in the first place.

“And what is this sheltered housing for? Is it elderly people? If so then we don’t have a problem with that, but we would have a problem with reformed convicts and paedophiles.

“Rhyl is already 50% down on green space and if they took this away, we’ll have even less.”

A spokesman for Anwyl responded: “We are working with Denbighshire County Council to find the best way forward for the Ffordd Elan site and are looking at a development that would be of benefit to the local community.

“In the meantime we have been advised that, for liability and insurance purposes, temporary fencing of the area must continue.”

david.rutland