The developer, Obsidian Homes, along with planning consultants Amity, presented the draft plans at a community engagement event at Cynwyl Elfed Hall last week. The original proposal for 13 homes has now expanded to 31, prompting a surge of feedback ahead of the council’s July 17 objection deadline.
“It’s Just Too Much for the Village” — Business Owner Speaks Out
Daniel Harris, who runs the historic Cynwyl Elfed Woollen Mill (pictured), was among the attendees and told Carmarthenshire News Online that while he supports limited housing development, this proposal “goes too far.”
“To go from 16 to 31 homes with no new infrastructure is asking for trouble,” Harris said. “The sewage system floods in winter already, and the roads are choked with traffic. This development could push things over the edge.”
Flooding and Demand on Infrastructure
At the heart of the debate is Cynwyl Elfed’s outdated sewage infrastructure, which dates back to the 1950s and has not been upgraded in decades. The pumping station has a history of overflowing during heavy rain, and residents say flooding is already a seasonal issue—with water regularly running down the hill into properties.
Though Obsidian’s plan includes a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) featuring rain gardens and attenuation basins, locals worry about long-term effectiveness.
“These ponds only work if they’re built and maintained perfectly,” Harris said. “After two years, responsibility falls to the council. That’s a huge liability.”
Several residents have since contacted the Carmarthenshire Sustainable Drainage Approval Body (SAB) urging the department not to approve Obsidian’s surface water strategy without further scrutiny. The deadline is approaching for further representations and residents are being urged to send in their concerns.
Concerned residents can contact SAB via:
• Email: SAB@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or SABregistrations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• Phone: 01558 825285
• Post: SAB, Environment Dept., Civic Offices, Crescent Rd, Llandeilo, SA19 6HW
Traffic Congestion and Parking Pressure
Villagers also point to daily traffic chaos in the area. Large trucks, school traffic, and tight corners already make for hazardous conditions. Residents fear the development will only make it worse. The road is a main route between Cardigan and Carmarthens and residents claim that they have seen emergency services vehicles on stop with huge articulated lorries meeting each other head on in the village with nowhere to go. Residents have asked for some form of traffic management system either end of the village to avoid the incidents on the narrow stretch of road in the village.
One resident said: “We have been asking councillors to do something about this for years but no one seems to care about the people in this village. Someone is going to be killed here. The children struggle to cross the road and we have never seen a speed camera here to monitor the high speeds people are travelling at through the village. We have been ignored and forgotten.”
Video highlighting the heavy traffic that plagues the village. A proposed bypass never manifested despite calls from residents.
Another video shows traffic at a standstill as lorries with heavy machinery try to squeeze their way through the village.
“Cynwyl Elfed already resembles a traffic bottleneck,” said one resident. “There’s barely any parking now. Another 30 homes means dozens more vehicles—where will they go? Cars are travelling through here at up to 40 or 50mph sometimes. You take your life in your hands to walk along the pavements to school or the shop. The park is hardly used because it is outside the village along the busy stretch of the road.”
Obsidian confirmed they have appointed a traffic consultant, and the development will meet on-site parking standards. But residents remain unconvinced that the village’s existing infrastructure can cope.
Social Housing, Empty Homes, and Section 106 Questions
The proposed scheme includes a mix of one- to six-bedroom properties. According to Obsidian, 21 of the 31 homes (around 70%) will be designated affordable housing, delivered in partnership with Ateb, a Pembrokeshire-based housing association.
However, some villagers question whether the affordable homes will truly serve local people. One resident claimed that there were at least nine known empty residential units in the village, with some long-abandoned. Another resident who lives near one of the abandoned properties said: “Why can’t the council sort this mess out and put some of these homes back into use instead of building on a greenfield site? These empty homes are an eyesore and could be easily made available for local people.”
“Why aren’t incentives being offered to bring those empty homes back into use?” another resident asked. “Surely that would be better than building more.”
Others raised unsubstantiated fears about the homes being used to house asylum seekers, citing Obsidian’s alleged links to the Home Office.
Obsidian Homes Director Huw Morgan firmly rejected this claim:
“This has absolutely nothing to do with the Home Office. The social housing is based on demand identified by Carmarthenshire County Council and will be for local people only.”
Morgan also assured that the scheme is grant-funded through Welsh Government and will comply with Section 106 obligations, with contributions expected to support amenities like drainage upgrades, footpaths, the school, and possibly the village hall.
Cllr Bryan Davies: “I Will Represent All Views”
Local Plaid Cymru county councillor Bryan Davies, who sits on both the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committees, has confirmed that he will represent the concerns of residents if and when the application goes before the Carmarthenshire Planning Committee.
“I cannot take a position either way until the application is formally submitted,” said Cllr Davies, “but I will absolutely represent the views of residents and present their concerns responsibly.”
He echoed key village concerns, including:
• The strain on 70-year-old sewage systems
• Runoff risks impacting the Nant Gochen and River Gwili
• Traffic congestion and safety at the school junction
• Ensuring Section 106 funding is used directly in the village
“If the development goes ahead,” Davies added, “it’s vital that Cynwyl Elfed sees tangible community gain.”
Next Steps in the Planning Process
Obsidian Homes confirmed they are still in the pre-application phase, and that an application to the SAB for drainage approval has already been submitted. While SAB approval does not guarantee planning approval, it can influence the outcome.
Once Obsidian’s full planning application is submitted, it will be reviewed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Planning Department, with public consultations and a potential referral to the Planning Committee if objections are raised.
Have Your Say
Villagers are being urged to:
• Submit objections by July 17
• Contact SAB regarding surface water concerns
• Watch for updates on the formal application via the council’s planning portal
Concerned residents can contact SAB via:
• Email: SAB@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or SABregistrations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• Phone: 01558 825285
• Post: SAB, Environment Dept., Civic Offices, Crescent Rd, Llandeilo, SA19 6HW
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