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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Protest over National Trust plans | Protest over National Trust plans |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Campaigners have staged a protest at plans to build 223 new homes built on part of a rural estate. | Campaigners have staged a protest at plans to build 223 new homes built on part of a rural estate. |
| The National Trust, which owns Erddig estate and 18th Century country house in Wrexham, has said most local people were in favour of the development. | The National Trust, which owns Erddig estate and 18th Century country house in Wrexham, has said most local people were in favour of the development. |
| But a residents' committee at nearby Rhostyllen and Welsh language pressure group, Cymuned, object to the plans. | But a residents' committee at nearby Rhostyllen and Welsh language pressure group, Cymuned, object to the plans. |
| About 20 protestors gathered in Halloween costumes and waved banners outside the trust's Llandudno office. | About 20 protestors gathered in Halloween costumes and waved banners outside the trust's Llandudno office. |
| The trust has said the project would raise money towards the upkeep of Erddig, and would include affordable homes. | The trust has said the project would raise money towards the upkeep of Erddig, and would include affordable homes. |
| The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic National Trust statement | The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic National Trust statement |
| Cymuned spokeswoman Carrie Harper said: "It is simply not true that a majority of local people are in favour of this proposed development. | Cymuned spokeswoman Carrie Harper said: "It is simply not true that a majority of local people are in favour of this proposed development. |
| "The trust's claim that the money is needed to secure the future of Erddig is also very misleading. | "The trust's claim that the money is needed to secure the future of Erddig is also very misleading. |
| "By their own admission, the running costs of the estate are met by admission fees and no work actually needs doing at the hall. | "By their own admission, the running costs of the estate are met by admission fees and no work actually needs doing at the hall. |
| "This organisation has some very difficult questions to answer." | "This organisation has some very difficult questions to answer." |
| Tara Green, secretary of the Rhostyllen Residents Committee, said "The National Trust has an investment fund of nearly £900m, yet they expect our small community to put up with a large, intrusive development, as they claim they need the extra money. | Tara Green, secretary of the Rhostyllen Residents Committee, said "The National Trust has an investment fund of nearly £900m, yet they expect our small community to put up with a large, intrusive development, as they claim they need the extra money. |
| There are fears the area's identity will be lost if the plans go ahead | |
| "How many charities have £900m in the bank? Their so-called justification for this development baffles me completely." | "How many charities have £900m in the bank? Their so-called justification for this development baffles me completely." |
| Campaigners claim the development could cause increased traffic, environmental damage, pressure on services and loss of local identity. | Campaigners claim the development could cause increased traffic, environmental damage, pressure on services and loss of local identity. |
| In a statement on Wednesday, the National Trust said the new development was backed by local people, and 25% of the development would be affordable homes to buy or rent. | In a statement on Wednesday, the National Trust said the new development was backed by local people, and 25% of the development would be affordable homes to buy or rent. |
| It said Erddig had struggled to break even in recent years and had insufficient funds to maintain the ongoing repairs and preservation needed. | It said Erddig had struggled to break even in recent years and had insufficient funds to maintain the ongoing repairs and preservation needed. |
| It also claimed the development would result in a nearby main road becoming safer, with a speed limit dropping from 40mph to 30mph. | It also claimed the development would result in a nearby main road becoming safer, with a speed limit dropping from 40mph to 30mph. |
| The statement added: "The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic, of a high standard and meets local needs. | The statement added: "The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic, of a high standard and meets local needs. |
| "This is why the trust made a major commitment to oversee the plans and strive to achieve a sustainable community with an exemplar in layout, design and integration with the village." | "This is why the trust made a major commitment to oversee the plans and strive to achieve a sustainable community with an exemplar in layout, design and integration with the village." |