We were promised lively newbuild town but it’s STILL lacking the basics… it’s miles away from the nearest shop
RESIDENTS who were told their newbuild village would be filled with schools and shops say it’s lacking even basic facilities.
Coed Darcy was built on the site of an old BP oil refinery and modelled on then-Prince Charles’ new town Poundbury in Dorset.
Initial plans promised 4,000 homes, three primary and a secondary school, a GP surgery, community hall, library and sports facilities.
With old-style buildings and posh stone garden walls, the development in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, appeared to have everything.
But 20-years on from the grand plans, some residents say Coed Darcy simply hasn’t lived up to their hopes.
Sian Owen and her husband Ricky moved to the village six months ago.
But Sian told WalesOnline: “There’s no shop here – it’s two and a half miles to the nearest shop!
“You can’t just pop over if you run out of milk or something, it’s really inconvenient.”
They also want to see schools built and say there is not enough parking.
Despite their criticisms, they say they are happy in the area.
A primary school was scheduled to be built and ready for use by September 2023, or by the time 740 homes had become occupied.
But Covid and other construction delays have meant no schools have been built.
Delays have also seen a 4,000 home building target reduced to 2,000.
Another resident echoed concerns over the school offerings.
They explained: “I’ve lived here 10 years now and the school was meant to be built before my daughter turned three.
“She’s now seven and there’s still no sign of it.”
A consultation with developers St Modwen 18 months ago saw residents ask for shops and a community hub among other things.
Developers said they would look into the requests but these are yet to come to fruition.
A spokesperson for St. Modwen said: “Following consultation with the local community, our planning application for Coed Darcy focuses on creating an innovative and sustainable neighbourhood, including the provision of 1,800 low-carbon and sustainable homes, extensive green spaces, new shops and community facilities, as well as land for a new school.
“We hope the council will approve the plans which would allow construction of the new homes and community facilities to begin in 2025.”