Swansea Council has given the green light to a contentious plan to build 31 affordable homes on the outskirts of Pontlliw, a relatively affluent village in the Swansea countryside. This decision has been met with significant resistance from local residents who have voiced concerns about pedestrian safety and infrastructure.
The development, slated for land off Clordir Road, has sparked intense debate within the community. Two petitions opposing the plan collected 266 and 279 signatures respectively, and 73 objection letters were submitted to the council. In contrast, the proposal received five letters of support. A council report highlighted that 268 individuals on Swansea’s extensive housing waiting list had expressed a preference to live in Pontlliw.
Representatives for the social housing applicant stressed the urgent need for affordable housing across Swansea, including Pontlliw. They noted that the council had failed to meet its affordable housing targets for four consecutive years, indicating that developments like this are crucial to addressing the housing shortfall.
A local councillor raised objections to the development, citing concerns about overcrowded schools and insufficient public transport. They emphasised that while the village is not opposed to affordable housing, the location of this particular development is problematic. Safe access was also a significant concern, as the existing pavement on Clordir Road ends abruptly near the proposed entrance to the site.
Committee members conducted a site visit to observe the pavement’s termination point. A planning officer explained that the land needed to extend the pavement is owned by a third party, making it difficult to impose planning conditions on land outside the council’s control. Consequently, an “uncontrolled” pedestrian crossing will be installed near the estate’s entrance, requiring residents to cross Clordir Road to reach a continuous pavement on the opposite side. This arrangement has raised safety concerns among several committee members, with one questioning why a safer crossing option could not be implemented.
A highways officer defended the plan, stating that the crossing would be acceptable as long as it had good visibility. However, he acknowledged that there is always room for improvement and suggested adding signs to alert drivers to the nearby primary school. The planning officer added that the speed limit on Clordir Road is 20mph and there have been no personal injury accidents on this road in the past five years, suggesting that the proposed crossing and access are safe. He reiterated the severe shortage of affordable housing in Swansea.
Another councillor expressed support for the housing development, predicting that the new flats, houses, and bungalows—intended for rental rather than low-cost ownership—would be in high demand. They compared the project to a similar development in another village, where initial opposition subsided once the homes were built and integrated into the community. They emphasised that the development is necessary for the local community.
Despite the strong opposition, councillors voted in favour of the application by seven votes to four. The housing group is required to contribute funds to enhance capacity at the local primary and comprehensive schools, as well as to provide funds towards transport and highway improvements.
Following the meeting, a representative for the housing group expressed satisfaction with the council’s decision, highlighting that the new development will provide 31 much-needed affordable homes for social rent in Pontlliw.
This decision marks a significant step in addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in Swansea. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing development with community concerns. As the project progresses, stakeholders will need to collaborate to ensure that the new homes integrate smoothly into the village and that the safety and infrastructure issues raised by residents are adequately addressed.
