Wrexham county officer claims Rhostyllen is ‘not Welsh’

Residents and campaigners have reacted furiously to comments by Mr Bob Dewey, of Wrexham council’s planning department, in the planning meeting to consider the National Trust’s application to build 223 houses on Erddig estate ground in Rhostyllen. Mr Dewey said that the council’s guideline that no development should adversely affect Welsh identity or language was ‘not applicable in this case because Rhostyllen doesn’t have a sense of Welsh identity’.

Spectators from Rhostyllen at the meeting let out a collective gasp of disbelief, and shouts of ‘out of order’ followed the comments. The issue of identity was not commented on further by any other member of the committee, despite Wrexham council having a clear guideline in place that states ‘no new development should have an adverse affect on Welsh identity and or language.’

Carrie Harper of Cymuned said “I am absolutely astounded by Mr Dewey’s comments. He is part of the planning committee and responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people of Wrecsam. If a ward that has over 80% of its population born in Wales has no Welsh identity, I dread to think what lies in store for the rest of Wrexham. The point we wanted to make was that the commuter development would increase Rhostyllen’s population by almost 40%, the majority of people being from outside the locality. There is no possible doubt that this will have an adverse effect on the Welsh identity and character of the area. This clearly contravenes Welsh Assembly and local council policies, yet the council seem intent on refusing to implement their own guideline.”

Tara Green of the Rhostyllen Residents Committee said “To say Rhostyllen isn’t Welsh is an absolute insult to residents, it’s unforgivable. In addition, the planning committee brushed aside the issue of local opposition despite an official referendum with results of 2:1 against. The decision has now been deferred but serious questions have to be asked about why our council is ignoring official planning guidelines. We have identified at least seven other guidelines which this proposed development breaches. I’m personally very concerned about this whole process, especially the fact that they are ignoring local opinion.”

Campaigners have called for a public statement from Wrexham council to clarify whether or not they recognise their own guideline of doing no damage to Welsh identity or language, and whether or not they consider Rhostyllen to have a Welsh identity.