Language fears as homes plan can go ahead after appeal

A DECISION to reject an affordable housing scheme in a rural Llyn village has been overturned on appeal.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

The plan to build 18 houses in the village of Botwnnog was previously rejected by Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee amid a row over its need and impact on the significantly Welsh speaking community.

A proposal had been made by Cae Capel Cyf to build a mix of homes on grazing land near to Cae Capel.

The application had attracted local objections, with concerns about a potential “overdevelopment” of the site, a perceived “lack of need” and fears about homes going to non-Welsh speakers, affecting the use of the Welsh language.

But the applicants had argued the impact would be “nil or at most very modest” and “certainly, not sufficient to be materially harmful to the language”.

Local member Cllr Gareth Williams had told a meeting in September 2024, it would see “18 social rent buildings in a rural field, in a rural village” saying it was an “overdevelopment” in the middle of the village and “not needed.