5. When to submit a Community and Linguistic Statement or Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment

5.1.
The sites proposed for development within the LDP and non-allocated sites will be subject to meeting the requirements of Policy CTH/5 of the revised deposit LDP at planning application stage to ensure the Welsh language and culture is protected and, where possible, enhanced.
5.2.

Whether a Community and Linguistic Statement or a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment is required depends on the proposal type, scale and location. The following development types and thresholds have been set with regard to the LDP Vision and Strategy. It is listed in accordance with the LDP settlement hierarchy (see section 3 of the LDP and Background Paper 8 on Hierarchy of Settlements). Please note there may be certain instances where a Statement or Impact Assessment is requested despite the proposal being below the requirement thresholds. In such cases, the Council will inform the applicant early in the application process and provide reasons for this request.

5.3.

In each case where a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment is required, applicants will not be required to submit a Community and Linguistic Statement as well.

5.4.

Urban Areas: Abergele and Pensarn, Colwyn Bay (inclusive of Rhos on Sea and Old Colwyn), Conwy, Deganwy and Llanrhos, Llandudno, Llandudno Junction, Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst, Mochdre, Penmaenmawr, Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, Towyn and Kinmel Bay

In Urban Areas, a Community and Linguistic Statement is required for: 
  • All residential applications where there is a net gain of 10 or more dwelling units (net gain of 5 or more dwelling units for proposals in Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst and Penmaenmawr);
  • All employment applications where there is the net creation of 25 jobs or more (net creation of 10 jobs or more for Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst and Penmaenmawr);
  • Any development proposal which is likely to lead to the loss of community facilities or job opportunities.  
In Urban Areas, a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment is required for: 
  • All residential applications where there is a net gain of 50 or more dwelling units (net gain of 25 or more dwelling units for proposals in Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst and Penmaenmawr);
  • All employment applications where there is the net creation of 50 jobs or more (net creation of 25 jobs or more for Llanfairfechan, Llanrwst and Penmaenmawr);
  • Any proposal that is over and above the needs and aspirations of the local community and is unlikely to contribute to the community(-ies) in a sustainable manner.
5.5.

Main Villages

Tier 1: Llanddulas, Dwygyfylchi, Llysfaen, Glan Conwy In Main Villages, a Community and Linguistic Statement is required for:
  • All residential applications where there is a net gain of 5 or more dwelling units;
  • All employment applications where there is the net creation of 5 jobs or more;
  • Any development proposal which is likely to lead to the loss of community facilities or job opportunities.
In Main Villages, a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment is required for:
  • All residential applications where there is a net gain of 10 or more dwelling units;
  • All employment applications where there is the net creation of 10 jobs or more;
  • Any proposal that is over and above the needs and aspirations of the local community and is unlikely to contribute to the community(-ies) in a sustainable manner. Examples, though not exclusive to these, include supermarkets or tourism developments.
Tier 2: Betws yn Rhos, Cerrigydrudion, Dolgarrog, Eglwysbach, Llanfair Talhaearn, Llangernyw, Llansannan, Trefriw and Tal y Bont / Castell
  • In line with LDP policy, tier 2 main villages will provide for affordable housing for local need only on both allocated sites and smaller scale windfall sites. It is considered that existing and proposed policy on affordable housing appropriately considers the needs and interests of the Welsh language, therefore no thresholds are requested for residential applications. A Community and Linguistic Statement may, however, be requested by the Council if it is considered that this would assist in determining the application.
  • All employment applications with a net gain of jobs will require the submission of a Community and Linguistic Statement.
  • Any proposal that is considered to be over and above the needs and aspirations of the local community and is unlikely to contribute to the community (-ies) in a sustainable manner, will require the submission of a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment. Examples, though not exclusive to these, include supermarkets or tourism developments.
5.6.

Minor Villages: Bryn Pydew, Glanwydden, Groes, Henryd, Llanbedr y Cennin, Llanelian, Llanddoged, Llangwm, Llannefydd, Pentrefelin, Pentrefoelas, Rhyd y Foel, Rowen, St George, Tal y Cafn and Tyn y Groes

  • In line with LDP policy, no market housing sites or employment sites will be allocated. Single or small estates of affordable housing for local need within, or at the edge of, minor villages and on windfall sites, will be acceptable as exceptions. It is considered that existing and proposed policy on affordable housing appropriately considers the needs and interests of the Welsh language, therefore no thresholds are requested for residential applications. A Community and Linguistic Statement may, however, be requested by the Council if it is considered that this would assist in determining the application.
  • Any other application will be assessed on a site by site basis to determine whether a Community and Linguistic Statement or a Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment is required.
5.7.

Hamlets: Bodtegwel, Bryn y Maen, Brymbo, Bryn Rhyd yr Arian, Bylchau, Capelulo, Cefn Berain, Cefn Brith, Dinmael, Glan Rhyd, Glasfryn, Groesffordd, Gwytherin, Hendre, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Maerdy, Melin y Coed, Nebo, Pandy Tudur, Pentre Llyn Cymmer, Pente Isa, Pentre Tafarn y Fedw, Rhydlydan and Tan y Fron, and the open countryside

  • In line with LDP policy, residential development will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. A single dwelling may be supported within or at the edge of the settlement, or where this represents the conversion of a non-residential building in the open countryside, and where it is justified to meet affordable housing for local need. Again, it is considered that policy on rural exception sites and affordable housing for local need appropriately considers the needs and interests of the Welsh language; therefore no thresholds are requested for residential applications. A Community and Linguistic Statement may, however, be requested by the Council if it is considered that this would assist in determining the application.
  • Any other application will be assessed on a site by site basis to determine whether a Community and Linguistic Statement or Linguistic Impact Assessment is required.
5.8.

Signs, advertisements and street names can all contribute positively to reinforcing the linguistic character of a community. The Council have developed a bilingual policy and supports the use of traditional Welsh place names where these are appropriate for the area under development, and will favour names that reflect the character of the area. Applicants are advised to consult local historical societies prior to submitting proposals. Where special circumstances arise, these will be taken into consideration by the Council. Please also see section 12 for details on a Council grant scheme to encourage the provision of bilingual signs.

5.9.

Community and Linguistic Statements and Community and Linguistic Impact Assessments should be submitted along with a planning application. The Linguistic Statement could be submitted as a paragraph / additional section of the Design and Access Statement. The earlier the statement/impact assessment is factored in the planning application process, the less delay there will be in assessing the document(s).

5.10.

The Council acknowledges there may be uncertainty in whether a statement/impact assessment is required; therefore, we request that applicants contact the Council if they are unsure whether a proposal falls within one of the above categories (see section 12 for contact details).

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