Plans to treble the size of a Denbighshire village should be thrown out after a massive "no" vote in a local referendum.
Janet Ryder, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: "First of all, I'd like to congratulate the people of Bodelwyddan for braving sub-zero temperatures to vote in their hundreds against a plan that would treble the size of their village.
"This was an overwhelming message as 94% voted against the housing scheme. Denbighshire County Council has decided, without regard for local housing need or any sustainability assessment, to impose an additional 1700 homes on a village of just 800 houses.
"This effectively creates a dormitory town on the A55, ideal for commuters to Chester and Liverpool. It's a worrying development that does not fit in with our determination to reduce the carbon footprint, develop sustainable communities and improve community cohesion in Wales. The people of Bodelwyddan have quite rightly rejected this undemocratic scheme out of hand."
Speaking in the Assembly chamber, she made a plea that the Business Minister Jane Hutt bring forward a debate on the West Cheshire/North East Wales Strategic Plan, which emphasises the need for 20,000 additional houses in North-east Wales, mainly based on the housing demand in North-west England. Janet Ryder added that the village referendum was an explicit rejection of that plan, which had not been endorsed by the people of Wales.
She also challenged Denbighshire County Council to bow to the democratic will of local people and amend their draft Local Development Plan accordingly.
Full result:
Voters 425
Turnout 25.8%
No 394
Yes 30
Spoilt 1
Total 425
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