Plaid Cymru - standing up for Dwyfor-Meirionnydd

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor has accused the Welsh Government of facilitating the land-banking of a prime development site in Porthmadog, at the expense of local firms seeking land for expansion.   

The land, situated on the Penamser Industrial Estate has lain empty for nearly 10 years with local businesses barred from applying to develop the site given the Welsh government’s open agreement with Widnes-based developer, Morbaine Ltd. 

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor has accused the Welsh Government of facilitating the land-banking of a prime development site in Porthmadog, at the expense of local firms seeking land for expansion.   

The land, situated on the Penamser Industrial Estate has lain empty for nearly 10 years with local businesses barred from applying to develop the site given the Welsh government’s open agreement with Widnes-based developer, Morbaine Ltd. 

Mr ap Gwynfor has raised the matter directly with the First Minister, seeking clarity as to why the Welsh Government entered into an exclusivity agreement with Morbaine Ltd, effectively preventing local businesses from developing the land.

Mr ap Gwynfor, backed by local Porthmadog Councillors Gwilym Jones and Nia Jeffreys, wants to see the Welsh government owned site made available to local businesses in order to strengthen and develop the Porthmadog economy. 

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said:     

'I have raised this matter directly with the First Minister, seeking clarity as to why local businesses are still being prevented from developing the site.' 

'This piece of land has lain empty for nearly ten years with no indication from either the developer or Welsh Government that any concrete proposals are being drawn up.' 

'There have been plans to develop the site by various firms, but nothing has come to fruition. How many mor missed opportunities will come to pass?' 

'Welsh taxpayers are ultimately footing the bill for this site lying dormant with local economic potential being stifled by government inaction.' 

'I call on the Welsh Government to abandon their open agreement with Morbaine Ltd and allow local firms to put forward realistic proposals to turn the site from open wasteland to a hub of economic activity.' 

'At a time when our local and national economies need strengthening, it is incomprehensible that local businesses are being shut out from expressing interest in this land.' 

'Morbaine Ltd have had ten years to develop this land yet we have seen little return on their agreement with Welsh Government. It is high time this open agreement was nullified.' 

'Big developers with little interest in our economy should not be allowed to land-bank development sites to maximise profits at the expense of local firms.'   

Cllr Nia Jeffreys said:

'It is beyond belief that the Welsh Government would allow land to be derelict when there is local interest to develop the land and create jobs.' 

'It makes no sense at all that public money is being spent on this site whilst the Welsh Government is standing in the way of job creation in Porthmadog.' 

'They must seriously reconsider their decision and their priorities for the sake of our local economy.'

Cllr Gwilym Jones said:

'As Independent Cllr for the Ward in which this land is located, I am concerned to learn that the arrangement that the Welsh Government has with the previous owner of the land as indicated in Mr Vaughan Gethin's letter to Mabon ap Gwynfor prevents the land being sold to local businesses.'

'There is a call for commercial land for development in this locality and I would hope that the BCUHB would be considering a portion of this site for a new Primary Care building in the town along with the few other available locations.'

'If the land was in public ownership , without the complication of options to buy by the previous owner, then it would be possible to help local businesses and perhaps make room for a medical facility that would benefit the town's people.'