Rhuallt could see huge 150-home development

Jun 23 2008 By Martin Williams

Rhuallt

THE sleepy Denbighshire village of Rhuallt could be about to quadruple in size with the building of 150 new homes.

The village has no shop, post office or school but its 60 families could be joined by 150 more if Denbighshire County Council has its way.

It has earmarked the village for one of four medium-sized house-building programmes in the county in its new draft Rural Development Plan (RDP).

Residents say no one wants the new homes, community life will be destroyed and Rhuallt will become just a commuter village.

Some have even threatened to sell up and move away for fear of their cherished rural way of life being "swamped".

Businessman Marcus Copeland said: "People will be drawn to the village because of its good road links but still commute to places like Manchester and Llandudno, which will do nothing for its carbon footprint."

Included in the plans are provisions for up to 50 affordable homes at Rhuallt.

Overall between 50 to 150 houses could be built on open countryside adjacent to the village close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Lloyd Williams, the council’s planning committee vice-chairman until being de-selected in May, said he had opposed the proposals but the Assembly was determined to push its house building programme across Wales.

Other medium developments in the county are earmarked for Corwen, Prestatyn and Ruthin, while larger developments are planned for Rhyl (2,000 homes), St Asaph (855 homes) and Bodelwyddan.

Businessman John Hansford added: "This will swamp and destroy our village."

A county council spokesman said the draft LDP was open to change.