James Park, Kilgetty, the siet for 55 new homes

COUNCILLORS have approved plans to build 55 homes on James Park in Kilgetty despite concerns over surface water run-off.

The application, from Millbay Homes, was discussed by the Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday, November 10.

Graham Evans spoke of the continual problems suffered by the Kingsmoor Sports Association with flooding of their cricket and football pitches.

Mr Evans said the additional homes would only exacerbate the current problems.

Councillors felt that the company could make a good-will gesture by adapting their plans to avert these problems.

Kilgetty Councillor David Pugh said: “This is a long-standing commitment within the LDP and I have no objection to this planning application. This type of development is well needed for this area.

“However, I do have concerns about drainage and surface water run-off on to James Park and the sports field. It is going to be a serious problem and I am not convinced that Welsh Water have a done a survey of the property.

“55 homes into four pipes aren’t going to work. We have got to get this right for the residents that are there now.”

Graham Evans, speaking on behalf of Kingsmoor Sports Association, said: “My clients previously lodged two major objections to this application. Such will exacerbate the current and major ongoing flooding problems to their sports pitch.

“Increased traffic generated by initial development and additional dwellings creates major danger to children using the sports field including both players and supporters.

“During heavy rainfall, both cricket and football pitches become totally waterlogged and unplayable.

“Kilgetty football runs ten teams including seniors, seconds and eight junior teams including girls. There are currently 48 senior players and 84 juniors. Last season, 10% of senior games were cancelled and 32% of junior games with no junior football possible between mid-November to mid- January, all due to flooding.

“Voluminous capital has been expended in recent years to overcome flooding on the cricket pitch. £25,000 was spent two years ago, all to no avail due to the run off of all road and roof water from James Park.

“A water hog was purchased which comprises a massive water suction machine to remove water off wicket and outfield.

“Several weekends each season the Kilgetty pitch is virtually the only ground in the county that is unplayable after rain.

“Granting consent for 55 dwellings upon land elevated above the sports field will result in major additional water discharge onto the pitches.

“My clients, in principle, have no objection to the proposed development; purely seek your council’s assurance that no further unwanted surface water will eventually find its way onto their sports field. Of paramount importance is the safety of young children, players and supporters can similarly be ensured.”

Councillor Brian Hall moved the recommendation for approval and said: “This is on a slope and there is a concern about sewage and surface water.

“There is a problem at the pitch and they have spent quite a lot of money trying to solve the problems.

“I would say to the developers, that if there is another pipe joining it would resolve some of the problems.”

Councillor Ken Rowlands added: “The development is not going to exacerbate the present condition experienced by the sports association but there could be some sort of good will gesture from the company to get this problem resolved.”

Councillor Peter Stock said: “No one is against this development but it must never be done so that it affects the quality of life for the people who already live there.

“We have to be absolutely sure that everything is put in place to safeguard this as much as we possibly can. We have to explore every avenue possible to make sure this is a first class scheme.”

Councillor Tony Brinsden said that the situation has been a ‘disgrace for many years’ and that the additional 55 dwellings would exacerbate the problems.

Councillor Jacob Williams said the committee had a ‘golden opportunity to put things right’ to help improve the situation for the residents.

Cllr Brinsden proposed that no work should commence until a drainage ditch be built along the south of the site to help prevent flooding and that was supported unanimously.

The plans to build the 55 homes were approved unanimously.