Plans for 30 affordable homes on a car park in New Quay have been postponed again, with local opposition mounting over the potential impact on parking and tourism.
Plans to construct 30 affordable homes on a car park in New Quay have been put on hold once more, following ongoing controversy and petitions from the community. Barcud, the housing association behind the proposal, seeks permission from Ceredigion County Council to develop a 100% affordable housing scheme at the Central car park located on Towyn Road.
Originally scheduled for a decision this month, the application has now faced three delays. The development management committee of the council had recommended conditional approval for the proposal after it was previously deferred to allow for a site visit. Barcud, which owns and operates the car park as a commercial enterprise, has indicated its ability to close the facility at any time. Their proposal includes a commitment to retain 91 of the existing 315 parking spaces, with council officers asserting that these spaces could be maintained “in perpetuity” should the scheme receive approval.
Despite these commitments, the New Quay town council has raised objections, citing concerns over the potential loss of parking spaces, the impact on the local tourism sector, and inadequate public transport facilities to support new residents. The council has also expressed doubts regarding the demand for one-bedroom units in the area.
The New Quay Traders’ Association has taken an active role in opposing the development, launching an online petition against it. They assert that the car park plays a crucial role in the local economy and that its removal would likely lead to a significant decline in visitor numbers. “The car park is central to our local economy and taking away this space will lead to a significant decrease in visitors and tourists. It’s a simple equation. Less parking equals less visitors. Less visitors will impact our economy and cause job losses,” a representative of the association remarked.
Conversely, a competing petition has emerged in support of the housing project, highlighting that local residents fear repercussions for backing the scheme due to potential backlash from second-home owners. This petition insists that the proposed houses are meant for families and individuals with deep ties to the community, rather than for second-home purchases by outsiders. It states, “Unfortunately many young families and locals who work and live here have been pushed aside due to tourism and second-homers, often at the expense of our own people.”
The application was most recently deferred following complaints from the New Quay Traders’ Association regarding “procedural irregularities.” A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council confirmed that further information had been provided by Barcud after the last management committee meeting and that this would be reviewed before the planning committee next convenes on May 14.
Sara Powell, representing the traders’ association, has indicated that the group plans to formally request an independent review of the application by the Welsh Government, stating, “The loss of this car park poses an existential threat to New Quay’s economy and the council’s handling of the matter so far has only increased public distrust in the integrity of the process.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/wales-news-council-row-new-quay-council-petition-second-homeowners-block-local-housing – This article discusses the controversy over plans to build 30 affordable homes in New Quay, including concerns about parking and tourism impacts, as well as accusations that second-home owners are blocking local housing.
- http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/planning/battle-over-future-of-new-quay-car-park-heats-up-778590 – It reports on the ongoing battle over the future of the New Quay car park, including a petition with over 1,500 signatures opposing the development.
- https://www.change.org/p/save-new-quay-car-park-protect-our-future – This URL leads to a petition opposing the development of the car park, highlighting the loss of parking spaces and potential economic impacts.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source mentioned for the original article, though it does not directly support specific claims without further context.
- https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/planning/building-standards/planning-applications/ – This Ceredigion County Council page could potentially host or reference relevant planning documents or updates about the New Quay development, though it doesn’t directly address the article’s specifics.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears recent with specific reference to an ongoing controversy and a recent planning committee decision deferred until May 2025. There is no indication that the content is recycled from older articles.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
While direct quotes are provided, such as from Sara Powell, further online verification of the earliest known source was not possible based on the provided information.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable publication, WalesOnline, which is well-known for providing reliable and accurate local news.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the controversy and the housing project are plausible and reflect common concerns in development projects, such as parking and economic impacts. However, the plausibility score is reduced due to the subjective nature of some objections.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is relatively fresh and supported by quotes from relevant figures. It originates from a reliable source and the claims are plausible given the context of local development controversies. The only concern is the limited verification of quotes, but overall, the narrative appears credible.
