Horse riders and cyclists have protested against plans to build more than 600 houses over green fields and bridleways.
Dozens of people braved the blustery conditions on Sunday to rage against the proposed development at Gwern y Domen, on the outskirts of Caerphilly.
The campaigners turned out in force, on horse and on bike, and vowed to continue fighting against plans which would turn the land into a large housing estate.
Persimmon and PMG want to build up to 618 new houses built on the greenfield site, between Lansbury Park and Rudry. The company believes it has a ‘unique’ case for consideration despite the greenfield status because it will offer ‘affordable’ homes across 40 per cent of the development.
The national housebuilder is seeking outline planning consent for the scheme and Caerphilly Council is meeting to discuss the proposals, which have been recommended for approval, on Wednesday.
Dozens of protesters descended on the fields in Caerphilly to oppose plans for a housing estate in the area
Pictured: This is an artist’s impression showing how much of the land would be taken up by the housing development
People opposed to the development turned out on horseback and on foot as they aired their anger about the plans, which have sparked thousands of objection letters to the council
Tyler Pesci-Griffiths, who owns the Sunnybank riding centre in Rudry, organised the protest on Sunday. He said the proposals would destroy an area popular among horse riders, cyclists and walkers.
The proposals have prompted more than 2,600 letters of objection to Caerphilly Council.
Mr Pesci-Griffiths said: ‘The message was loud and clear today: there are a lot of people who are in support of not building at Gwern y Domen.
‘There were people protesting today from all over and from all walks of life and it was nice to see how everyone came together to protect the area they love so much.
Protesters turned out to oppose the development, which would bring more than 600 new homes to Gwern y Domen, Rudry, enraging people concerned with preserving the green space
Youngsters came to oppose the development as they rode on horseback alongside their parents on the protest
‘They all know how important it is and what it stands for. It’s a conservation area, with huge environmental, ecological and historical importance. It has three bridleways going across it with links to Caerphilly Castle and people come to enjoy it with their families, with their children and with their dogs.
‘To lose it would have a huge impact and to have it taken away would be a massive loss to the community and all those who enjoy it.’
Earlier in the day, a group of mountain bikers and walkers also gathered at the beauty spot to show their opposition to the plans.
TV presenter Iolo Williams is patron to the Gwern y Domen Conservation Group, which was set up to try and save the area after plans to develop it were first presented in 2017.
BBC wildlife presenter Dr Rhys Jones also showed his opposition to the plans, saying it would be a ‘sad, dark day’ if Caerphilly Mountain were to be lost.
Persimmon originally submitted their plans for the site in 2017, but resubmitted them last month with minor changes.
The house builder was mired in controversy back in March, when Nicola and Phil Bentley said a home they bought from the group for £280,000 had 700 faults. Faye Douglas, 40, and husband Neil from Droitwich, meanwhile, hung a sign on the front of their Persimmon new build warning people not to buy homes from the firm as they compared theirs to Fawlty Towers.
Stuart Cole, 12, shows his opposition to the development as dozens turned out to demonstrate
According to Mr Pesci-Griffiths, the local infrastructure would not cope with such a large-scale development.
‘The roads around here are already absolutely chaotic,’ he said. ‘They simply would not cope with the massive amount of congestion that would result from this development – there is already a huge strain on our roads, our schools and our GP surgeries. Today, people stood in solidarity to support the area they love.’
A spokesman for Persimmon said: ‘Persimmon Homes and [joint-landowner] PMG have worked closely with the council on this strategy and the homes will be first offered to the local authority to operate its own social housing scheme, before being offered to a nominated registered social landlord.
‘In particular regard to the bridleway that runs along the western boundary, there is no proposal to alter this route but rather enhance the planting along the bridleway.’
Persimmon boss who faced furious backlash over £75million pay award is forced to QUIT ‘at request of company’ after row becomes a ‘distraction’ (but he’ll still keep his bonus)
By Darren Boyle
Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn left the company at the end of last year because a pay row had become a ‘distraction’.
Initially, Mr Fairburn was due to receive £100 million between his pay and bonus. He tried to defend the size of his package during a television interview, but was heavily criticised instead.
He was allowed to keep the £75million, but will not have to work his notice period and will not receive any further bonus.
Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn, pictured, stood down from his role with the home builder after a row erupted over his £75 million pay and benefits package
The group said the furore over his pay had become a ‘distraction’ that was having a ‘negative impact on the reputation of the business and consequently on Jeff’s ability to continue in his role’.
But it said that, as he was leaving at the company’s request, it was not legally able to withhold any of the share payouts due under the controversial 2012 long-term bonus scheme.
Chairman Roger Devlin said: ‘Given the continuing distraction around the scale of his remuneration resulting from the 2012 LTIP (long-term incentive plan), the board believes that it is now necessary for there to be to be a change of leadership.’
Mr Fairburn said: ‘I had hoped that revealing my plans to create a charitable trust and to waive a proportion of the award would enable the company to put the issue of the 2012 LTIP behind it.
‘However, this has not been the case and so it is clearly now in the best interests of Persimmon that I should step down.’
Mr Fairburn’s pay packet sparked outrage among politicians and shareholder last year.