Anger at ‘Internet poverty’ as petitions signed to hold Meliden inquiry in-person

Having initially been scheduled for last November, the Planning Inspectorate’s inquiry into an application by Penrhyn Homes to build 133 homes on Mindale Farm in Meliden is due to begin on March 1.

Earlier this month, former councillor and mayor Bob Paterson, of the Mindale Opposition Group, organised a public event at Meliden Community Centre, as he deems it unfair that the inquiry will be held online and will limit residents’ input.

This, Mr Paterson told the Journal, was a successful event, with about 30 people attending, and the main points of contention being the disappointment regarding the inquiry due to be held virtually – “one used the expression ‘broadband poverty’,” he said.

Mr Paterson helped draw up the petitions, which read: “I believe that many interested parties are being discriminated against by insisting that their only means of joining this inquiry are via the Internet.

“I believe that no-one, through a lack of I.T. in their home, should be precluded from taking part.

“I believe that this extremely important matter to our village and the surrounding area should only be considered at an in-person public inquiry, and that, should this not currently be possible, the inquiry date of March 1 be delayed until such a date that it is possible.”

Since an initial proposal was made public in 2016, the homes have since been rejected, dismissed by appeal, revised and rejected again.

Mr Paterson has also written to Graham Boase, Denbighshire County Council (DCC) chief executive; Councillor Peter Evans of the Prestatyn Meliden ward; Cllr Bob Murray of the Prestatyn South West ward; and Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), attaching copies of the petitions in an email.

In an email shown to the Journal, Mr Paterson wrote: “The restrictions imposed by the pandemic has meant that most social gatherings have not been possible.

“These social gatherings were where a large number of residents in and around Meliden would gather and exchange information; in particular, the large number of households in Meliden who do not have internet access, a smart phone or any other communication except by landline, letter or in person.

“On February 7, a number of volunteers took out petitions asking for support in getting the message out that the inspectors and DCC are jointly preventing many residents of Meliden being able to follow the events of the inquiry.

“I believe this could be a form of ‘Internet poverty’.

“The virtual inquiry precludes so many of them from observing or taking part in the process.”

Previously, Mr Paterson has also received the backing of the MP and MS for Vale of Clwyd, Dr James Davies and Gareth Davies respectively, who have both voiced similar concerns about a lack of input available to some residents should a virtual inquiry go ahead.

Mr Paterson added to the Journal: “The petitions got a combined total of about 160 signatures, collected in two days.

“To suddenly do this, anyone without internet has got no idea what’s really going on. We haven’t had that long to get people up to speed with it since restrictions were stopped.

“With the way things have been, everyone’s a bit scared about getting around too much, but it was decided something had to be done quickly.

“I’ve already sent a separate email saying that, while I don’t agree with the virtual hearing, I am requesting to be able to speak at it.”

Regarding his reasons as to why he is also opposed to Penrhyn Homes’ proposal itself, Mr Paterson believes the site in question is susceptible to flooding and as such is unsuitable for this development.

He added: “I’ve been against it right from the outset. I was against it when it was put onto the (DCC) Local Development Plan (LDP).

“It’s building on a green field which was previously a marquee garden. The land was sold as a farm. With it being at the bottom of a slope, there’s an amount of water runoff.

“We suffer with it; when I first came to live here 17 or 18 years ago, the bottom of the road where I live used to flood on a regular basis, to the point that we couldn’t get to the car a couple of times.

“The reason it was doing that was that a street drain, when it went into that field, had been blocked, so it was causing flooding on the road.

“When it went forward for the LDP, everybody didn’t want it to be included. It was only the Inspectorate who pushed it through to say it should be.

“I feel it’s always been pushed through by other people, whereas those who live in the area and will be around it on a daily basis don’t want it.”

A DCC spokesperson said: “The council had been keen to ensure this planning appeal was run as a live public inquiry.

“We had previously communicated with PEDW on this matter but, due to the ongoing COVID restrictions up to January 28, a virtual inquiry had to be progressed.

“Anyone wishing to take part in the virtual inquiry should contact PEDW for further information.”

A spokesperson for Penrhyn Homes said: “In response to the concerns of the virtual inquiry, we are led by the Planning Inspectorate of Wales who has control of the appeal.

“Any objections that are raised regarding the Local Plan, Drainage and Highways will be addressed during the inquiry.”

Attempts were also made to contact Welsh Government, Mr Boase, and Cllrs Evans and Murray for responses.