CONCERN has been expressed that 15 planned new houses in Aberporth may prove to be holiday or second homes after an English-only sign appeared on the site of the development at Ffordd Newydd.

One villager described the sign – belonging to Dorset-based Longshore Developments – as ‘culturally insensitive in the middle of a bilingual village’.

The man, who declined to be named, told the Tivy-Side the sign was ‘basically implying that only well-off English people need apply for one of these houses’.

Local councillor Gethin Davies confirmed some locals were unhappy.

“It’s important that the Welshness of the area is maintained,” he said. “Personally, I would like to see a bilingual sign on that site.”

Now Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are calling on Ceredigion County Council to include a requirement for Welsh signage when granting planning permission for such housing developments.

"A private developer is responsible for this development and there is no legal requirement for them to put a Welsh name on any housing development, which is unfortunate,” said Jeff Smith, chair of Cymdeithas’ Sustainable Communities Group.

"Just as worrying is the possibility that an English name means that these may be holiday or second houses.

“We hope that isn't the case - the council shouldn't be allowing second houses to be built when locals are struggling to buy or rent.”

The scheme – for six four-bedroom semi-detached homes, four three-bedroom semi-detached homes, two two-bedroom semi-detached homes, and three affordable two-bedroom terraced homes - was given the go-ahead in June.

A planning report said the proposed development was considered to be acceptable in terms of scale, layout, access, landscaping and appearance.

The affordable properties will contribute positively to the area, it added.

However, Mr Smith said Cymdeithas remained unconvinced.

“Average house prices are ten times higher than the average wage here in Ceredigion as it is,” he said. “More holiday and second houses will just make the problem worse.

“We'll be holding a rally in Llangefni on September 17 to call on local authorities to use the new powers they'll have from next April to tackle holiday and second houses to their full extent.

“We hope Ceredigion will take note, as they are not using their current powers fully."

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said the local authority would contact the developer regarding the sign and comments raised.

"However, as the signage relates to new development it is unlikely to need advertisement consent," she added.

*Information on the planning application can be found on the council’s website here: A210697

https://ceredigion-online.tascomi.com/planning/index.html?language=en