I grew up in and have lived in Blaenau Gwent for all of my life, and it's disheartening to witness our community facing yet another challenge that threatens our safety and quality of life. The proposal to build 25 houses/flats on the old Willowtown school site presents a serious concern for all of us who live here. I am urging the council to refuse planning permission for this development for several critical reasons.

Firstly, the area is already plagued with limited parking spaces. Many of us struggle daily to find parking spots near our homes, with illegal parking becoming a frequent and frustrating occurrence. Adding 25 more residences will only exacerbate this issue, pushing our already strained resources to the limit and possibly creating tensions among residents.

Additionally, the proposed development would significantly worsen traffic congestion. The roads surrounding the old Willowtown school site can barely manage one lane of flowing traffic at the moment. This situation has already proven to be dangerous, particularly for children walking to and from school. Doubling the number of homes in this area would not only make daily commutes unbearable for current residents but also increase the risk of traffic-related accidents. Our children deserve safer streets, and this development would jeopardize their safety further.

Moreover, the area’s infrastructure is not equipped to support such an increase in population density. The existing road system is already hazardous, and increasing the number of vehicles would make it even more precarious. Our community deserves a comprehensive review of how developments are planned, taking into account the long-term impact on infrastructure and the well-being of residents.

I urge the Blaenau Gwent council to listen to the voices of those who live here. We ask that a thorough environmental and safety study be conducted before considering any development on the old school site. Potential solutions could include creating additional parking spaces, improving existing traffic flow systems, or considering alternative locations for these homes where there is ample space and less risk to current residents.

Your voice matters. Stand with us in advocating for safer streets and more sensible urban planning in Blaenau Gwent. Sign this petition to urge the council to reject the planning application for the Willowtown school site and protect our community’s safety and quality of life.