EditorPlans for 56 homes on Clyne Common at West Cross refused
The Duke of Beaufort’s Somerset Trust had applied to deregister 2.8 hectares of common land near West Cross, Swansea, to enable the construction of 56 affordable homes. In return, the Trust proposed to offer 3.4 hectares of replacement land at Ryeground Farm, around two kilometres away on the western side of the common.
Inspector’s findings upheld
Planning inspector Vicki Hirst, who held a public inquiry in August 2024, recommended refusal. She concluded that the release land at West Cross was valued by the community and of higher landscape and ecological quality than the proposed replacement.
Deputy Minister for Climate Change Huw Irranca‑Davies accepted that recommendation. In his decision letter he wrote: “The release land is held in high regard by the local community… it is an aesthetically pleasing, sheltered part of the common which provides views out to Swansea Bay.”
By contrast, he said the Ryeground Farm site was “of minimal landscape value… a large, flat expanse of mainly semi‑improved marshy grassland” with limited appeal for public recreation.
The replacement land offered at Ryeground Farm, around two kilometres west of Clyne Common, judged by inspectors to be of lower landscape and community value. Photo: Open Spaces Society.Affordable housing weighed
The Trust argued that the exchange would enable 56 affordable homes to be built on the West Cross site. But the inspector questioned whether this was the “right place” for such development, and the minister agreed.
“I believe if I granted the exchange the quality of common land would be diminished, and this would not be sufficiently mitigated by the broader public interest,” the decision letter states.
Campaigners welcome outcome
The Open Spaces Society, the Gower Society and local residents had opposed the application.
Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: “This is an excellent result… The residents of West Cross and the Gower Society, with our support, put up a brilliant fight at the public inquiry, speaking eloquently of their love for this special place.”
She described the proposed replacement land at Ryeground Farm as “flat, wet, and boring” compared to the characterful eastern edge of Clyne Common.
Protecting common land
Under the Commons Act 2006, applications to deregister and exchange common land must demonstrate that the public interest will not be harmed. The Welsh Government says its policy is to protect commons for current and future generations, ensuring the overall stock of common land is not diminished.
The refusal means the eastern section of Clyne Common at West Cross will remain protected, with the minister concluding that its unique character and community value outweigh the case for development.
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