Planning doubt over Stradey homes

The development of Stradey Park is still in the balance

Plans for 450 homes on the site of Stradey Park in Llanelli could be called in by the Welsh Assembly Government, BBC Wales has learned.

With the Scarlets having played their last game there on Friday, ministers have temporarily stopped the local council granting planning permission.

A "stopper notice" has been issued while a decision is made whether the proposal should be called in.

The delay will not affect the rugby region, who have already sold the site.

The redevelopment of Stradey Park has been opposed by many local residents since the club first announced the move to the new out-of-town stadium at Pemberton, opposite the tinplate works at Trostre.

If the decision is taken to call in the plans, developer Taylor Wimpey would have to defend its housing scheme in front of a Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector.

Taylor Wimpey submitted a reserved matters (detailed design) application for Stradey Park on 3 April, 2008, to Carmarthenshire County Council planning authority.

An assembly government spokesman said: "We have been asked by a member of the public to call in the development, and we are giving this active consideration at this stage.".

Outline plans for a housing development on the Stradey site were called in by the assembly government in 2006, and in June 2007 the environment minister granted permission.

A decision to call in the detailed plans would delay the development, and a third public inquiry may have to be held.

Among the concerns raised during the initial planning process were the flooding risks, loss of green and open space, traffic impact, the availability of education and medical facilities, and housing land supply.

But an assembly government inspector was satisfied that these could be overcome, which led to the minister giving the outline scheme the go ahead.