enz-NO development, Glynneath

A company that planned to build 80 homes in Glynneath is now selling the land after work on the site stopped due to water contamination fears.

Neath Port Talbot Council gave Enzo's Homes planning permission to build a housing estate at Heol Y Glyn, Glynneath this September.

Councillors agreed Enzo's would be allowed to build a mix of a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses comprising of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties.

However, Neath Port Talbot Council recently ordered Enzo's to stop work on the site after the company allegedly breached planning regulations.

Council officers issued a temporary stop notice to the company "to prevent harm or any further harm".

Since then, it has come to light that Enzo's is is now planning to sell land. It is advertising the nearly seven-acre site via BP2 Land and Property Consultants. No price for the land has been given - with the listing saying it is "available on application".

A listing on the consultancy's website read: "In summary, the site benefits from detailed planning permission, subject to discharge of conditions. The permission allows for a development of 80 residential dwellings, being a mix of detached, semi-detached and link units Planning Application no. P2020/0195."

A council spokesman said Enzo's started work on the site "prior to discharging all of the pre-commencement conditions".

They added: "We have however confirmed to the developer that we are still willing to work with them to ensure that they are able to deliver the development in accordance with their planning permission.”

When contacted about the advertisement for the development site, a council spokesman said: "The authority is happy to continue to work with the existing owner or alternatively any future owner should the site be sold.

“The planning permission for the residential scheme relates to the land not the owner.”

Councillors and local residents raised concerns about the development site at Heol Y Glyn during a council meeting held on September 8. Queries were raised relating to flooding, road safety and land contamination.

The council's planning report said "much of NPT is covered by contamination, whether large or small" and it is the planning authority's responsibility to address this to ensure sites are safe for development.

The council's contaminated land officers visited the site and concluded they did not object to development. However, they recommended further investigations into the land before development occurs and so "significant levels of site re-profiling" will take place before building construction.

The report said "no further development would be allowed on site until satisfactory information has been submitted" regarding land contamination.

During the meeting, a councillor reassured those present at the meeting that council officers would be "eagle-eyed over what happens next" and ensure Neath Port Talbot residents "get a very good new estate".

In 2019, Enzo's was fined for breaching tree preservation regulations, in a case brought by Swansea Council. Enzo's Homes director Fiorenzo Sauro is appealing the decision, which is due to be heard in January.

The Local Democracy Service contacted Enzo's Homes about the sale of the land at Heol Y Glyn but it declined to comment."