Cllr Wiliam Rees - Pontypridd Town - Plaid Cymru

Starting off the week well speaking to residents along Berw Rd this morning.

Lots of support for Heledd Fychan and Plaid Cymru Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr ahead of next months Senedd elections🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Braf bod allan ar Berw Rd bore ‘ma. Pleidleisiwch Plaid Cymru!

📌 Planning Application Update – Reference 26/0283/FUL (Graigwen)

As residents may already be aware, a new planning application has been submitted for a bespoke family traveller pitch, including a day/utility room, static and touring caravan, hard standing area, ecological enhancements, and a private treatment plant on land near the top of .

I recognise that this latest application may raise concerns among residents, particularly given the disappointing decisions made by the Planning Committee in relation to other nearby developments, and the ongoing lack of enforcement action on issues raised over a long period of time. It’s important that residents have the opportunity to make their views known.

🟢 What I have already done as your Cllr:

• I immediately contacted council officers to highlight the concerns already being expressed within the community.
• I asked to be kept updated at every stage of this application and requested a meeting with officers to understand the specific planning policies relating to traveller sites, and to discuss the wider planning and enforcement issues affecting this area.
• I asked for relevant policy information to be shared with me so I can fully understand the considerations that will apply in this case.
• I have also previously attended Planning Committee to raise residents’ concerns on other applications relating to land near this site.
• Since being elected, I have consistently called for stronger and more proactive enforcement from planning officers across the ward.

🟢 What residents can do:

If you have concerns about this application, you are welcome to share them with me directly, either in the comments or by emailing [email protected], so I am aware of the issues affecting the community.

However, please note that only comments submitted directly to the Planning Department or through the official online planning portal will count as formal objections or representations. To ensure your views are formally recorded, you can:
• Email the Planning Department at [email protected]
• Register on the Council’s online planning portal and submit an official comment there

The more individual objections submitted on legitimate planning grounds, the more weight this will carry with officers and the Planning Committee. It is important this is not left to just one or two people to speak on behalf of the whole community.
If the application goes to Committee and there are sufficient objections, residents will also be able to attend and make their concerns known directly to members.

🟢 Looking ahead, as your Councillor, I will:

• Meet with planning officers to discuss the application in detail
• Research the relevant planning policies to ensure residents’ concerns are framed around legitimate planning considerations
• Share community concerns with Plaid Cymru’s representative on the Planning Committee
• If there are sufficient objections, write formally to the Planning Committee to reflect the views of the community, and attend the relevant Planning committee meetings
• Continue to keep residents informed and updated as the application progresses

Finally, it is important that all discussion remains respectful, and that any objections are based on legitimate planning grounds, as these are the only factors officers and Committee members can legally consider when determining an application.

I hope this update helps residents understand the situation, what steps you can take, and what I am doing on your behalf. If you have questions, comments or concerns, you are welcome, as walways to contact me via email ([email protected]) or on Facebook.

Diolch yn fawr,
Cllr Wiliam Rees