Search for
Search for
Search for'Blackmail' as student site gets go-ahead
Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 09:00
The go-ahead has been given for 967 student apartments and up to 349 homes on land at New Cut Road/Morfa Road, along the banks of the River Tawe, in Swansea.
Labour councillors argued for a deferral of the scheme to await further details of any likely impact on car parking in surrounding areas.
Council planning chiefs said the scheme was "time-sensitive" and that it was planned for students to take up residence by September 2010.
Planning officer David Gill said: "Further delay on determination of this application could undermine its viability."
Angry Labour councillor Alan Lloyd said: "We are being blackmailed now."
He asked how long planning officers had considered the plans for, and was told they received them in December.
Councillor Lloyd stormed: "So who has been holding it up? Don't blame the members."
Councillor Robert Francis-Davies said the plans were "extremely important to part of Swansea that has put up with a lot of bad development over the years".
He added: "I don't think we should allow officers to push it through."
Councillor Ioan Richard said: "I'm a very cynical person, and from what I have heard over there they should apologise for making accusations at officers of discourtesy and blackmail."
He accused Castle Ward members of calling in 85 planning matters, which was "slowing down the whole process of development in this council".
Councillor Richard added: "I think it is a disgrace that they are trying to delay this now."
Councillor Phillips said he was prepared to have a debate about it.
"If Councillor Richard wants to make accusations, I will stand here and rebut them," he said.
Speaking after the meeting, Hafod Ward councillor Rob Speht said he was pleased the application had been approved.
He said: "This is a large development that will really benefit the people of Swansea, and it will also take students out of residential areas.
"It will allow work to begin on the Hafod bypass, for which residents of Hafod have been waiting for 40 years.
"This is the first big step in the redevelopment of the area between New Cut Road and the stadium."
Be the first to comment