RESIDENTS fear plans to build apartments for tenants with limited mobility could “eclipse” their quiet cul-de-sac.

Denbighshire County Council has submitted proposals to build 15 flats on council-owned land at The Dell, Prestatyn.

The three-storey residential apartment block is to consist of five one/two bedroom apartments, specifically designed for wheelchair users on the ground floor. On the upper floors, there is set to be 10 one/two bedroom apartments.

Residents of The Dell, said when the local authority first expressed an interest in the site, they were told plans involved building about 10 low-level retirement bungalows or housing for the elderly, no more than two storeys high. But when the plans went out for consultation, they had altered “significantly”, they said.

Resident Gareth Lloyd-Williams, 75, said: “The land is not fit for purpose. There is a stream running underneath, for God’s sake, and a badger sett in one garden.

“I’m worried there is going to be a three-foot [high] wall built so burglars will be able to climb straight over.

“This is the first time we are going to have houses at the back.

“For experienced users - the road is fine, but for new people, it can be a death trap. Someone is going to get hurt.

“What worries me, with what is being proposed, is the wording. It states ‘accessible’ housing. My housing is accessible - it has a door. What exactly are they building?

“I feel we have been lied to. There is a lot of older people living in The Dell. One gentleman had agreed a price for his bungalow. The council said they would give him £5,000 over the asking price and then £15,000 so they could demolish it and create an access to the site.

“We weren’t worried with the two storey one. It has all been smoke and mirrors.”

Andrew Scott, another resident on The Dell, said: "We have raised concerns about being overlooked. Even though the distance from the site is over 21 meters to residence windows - which is detailed in DCC Supplementary Planning Guidance - we are still being overlooked and our privacy invaded.

"There are badgers and foxes that are local to the Dell who need areas such as the propsed site to survive." 

Resident Lesley Hodson said that extra traffic - to be generated by the new development - is one of her main concerns.

“The junction onto FForddisa is already very dangerous,” she added.

“The potential for at least 15 cars, more if you note that two cars per household is now an average, possibly three in a two bedroom apartment plus community health professionals and visitors. This will most definitely result in an overspill onto The Dell which already has an issue due to limited parking.

“The proposed appearance of apartments is not only incongruous in style, but is imposing in size. It will dominate the existing architecture ad significantly change the overall aesthetic of the neighbourhood by eclipsing it, not by enhancing it.”

A new 1.8m high bow top fence will be provided to the North East and North West boundaries of the site adjoining the existing/re-aligned footpaths. This will be supplemented with a native mixed species hedgerow; planted on the inside of the fence.

Access to the apartment building for residents will be via a fob/card entry system and visitors will access the building via a video entry system.

Cllr Paul Penlington, who lives in The Dell and has made a formal complaint to the local authority about the proposed development, said when he initially heard about the plans - which he said involved 10ish low level retirement bungalows for the elderly - he felt pleased.

“The area had attracted anti-social behaviour and rats for decades - so this was a good solution that served a community need,” he said.

“However, when the plans were produced for consultation - this [the bungalows] was not on them. We were quite frankly appalled when we saw these plans - what we had been led to believe was completely untrue.

“The artist impression shows the development as two or three metres higher than the current houses on the street.

“Existing homes security will be compromised as existing vegetation will be removed to be replaced by a wooden fence.

“It would be an enormous, and grossly unattractive, blight on our landscape, towering over our homes and, if permitted, will have a significantly damaging impact on our home life, mental wellbeing, environment and existing amenity.

“Despite several very strong objections during the consultation period, DCC have decided all objections weren’t planning considerations. The same plans have been submitted, apart from a slight internal adjustment. Drains will be overloaded, there will be a large increased in traffic and the creation of a v-shaped junction, privacy and security will be compromised as well.

“None of us on The Dell are against the land being used to provide homes for the elderly and infirm. We are against this development only because of the size and issues stated.”

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: “Following a consultation which took place over the summer, a planning application has now been submitted for a development of 15 accessible apartments on land off The Dell in Prestatyn.

“We would encourage residents to have a look at the proposals and participate in the planning process by completing the on-line form on the Council’s website. Any comments received will then be considered as part of the planning process.”