In partnership with the following language organisations; Cylch yr Iaith, Canolfan Hanes Uwchgwyrfai and Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Dyfodol i’r Iaith is part of the Gwynedd and Môn Housing and Planning Campaign Committee. This Committee was established to challenge and oppose the Local Development Plan, which is about to be decided upon by both authorities.
If you are also concerned about the impact this Plan will have on the Welsh language, then we would ask you to write to your county Councillor, and demostrate your objection by joining the gathering arranged outside the Gwynedd Council Offices in Caernarfon at 1.15 on 28/07, and Cyngor Môn’s offices, Llangefni ar 9.15 on 31/07.
Our objections to Plan can be summarised thus:.
- TOO MANY HOUSES
The Plan states that the number of houses; 7,902 between the two authorities, provides for population growth. This growth is based upon in-migration, and in preparing for this, promotes it. The process was based upon allocating county totals for Gwynedd and Môn, and distributing these to communities. This is totally unacceptible. The totals should have been based upon supplying the local needs of each of the communities.
- FLAWED LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
In contrast to assessements of other aspects of the Plan, the Joint Planning Policy Unit did not commission an independent assessment of its language sustainability. This work was undertaken by the Unit itself, despite its admission that it had no expertise in this area. The language organisations decided to commission an independent assessment from the language consultancy, Hanfod. This study concluded that the Plan proposed too many houses, and that as a result, the situation of the Welsh language would be weakened. The independent assessment was ignored by by the Unit.
- FLAWED LANGUAGE POLICY
The Plan’s Strategic Policy 1 (The Welsh Language and Culture) does not support the Welsh language. The policy allows for damaging developments if it is possible to lessen the damage to some extent by ameliorative measures. Siân Gwenllian AM and Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM have stated that this policy is unacceptable.
- FLAWED SURVEY
As part of their evidence base for the Plan, both local authorities conducted the ‘Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Housing and Language Survey’ between September and November 2013, but the statistician Hywel Jones (Statiaith) demonstrated that the methodology adopted was seriously flawed. His assessment of the survey concluded that it was statistically invalid and its conclusions unreliable.
- PERCENTAGE OF AFFORADLE HOUSING TOO LOW
The percentage of affordable housing within a development is set as low as 10%. Evidence of need shows that this percentage should be much higher. This policy means that open market housing will constitute 90% of these housing developments.
- NUMBER OF LOCAL HOUSING MARKET POLICY COMMUNITIES TOO LOW
Only in a very limited number of communities will the policy of limiting housing to local people be implemented.
- FEWER AREAS ALLOCATED CLUSTERS
Fewer small villages and rural areas will be allocated clusters, leading to a low number of houses. This will negate the opportunity for many communities to ensure their sustainablity and natural growth by supplying local need.
- NO GRADUAL DEVELOPMENTS
It will not be possible to impose conditions upon developers to build gradually; that is, to build a specific number of houses at a time, according to an agreed timetable.