Planners have knocked back proposals for 30 new homes in Bangor amid concerns over traffic and access arrangements.

The mixture of two and three bedroom homes had been earmarked at Pen-y-Ffridd, Penrhosgarnedd and recommended for approval by Gwynedd Council’s planning officers.

But meeting on Tuesday, its planning committee turned down the application by ten to one after community concerns were raised despite its location within Bangor’s local development boundary and 12 affordable homes.

Submitted by Adra (formerly known as Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd),  the housing association argued that the Penrhosgarnedd area is highly sought-after by staff based at nearby Ysbyty Gwynedd.

“The price of the market properties will be within reach of the local residents as no large executive homes are provided,” they said in their supporting statement.

“Key workers who gain employment in the local hospital, university and retail will be attracted to the area along with families.”

They also concluded that the “high standard” development would have “beneficial effects” on the Welsh language and the community of the ward of Dewi and the wider city of Bangor through the provision of affordable housing and open market housing “to meet an identified need.”

But Howard Huws, speaking against the plan, pointed to a 74 signature petition citing concerns over access and the increase in traffic the development would cause.

He added there were also concerns over the impact on the Welsh language and that access to the proposed development, along part of Pen-y-Ffridd Road, is too narrow for construction or permanent traffic.

Local councillor Gareth Roberts –  who was elected as the committee’s deputy chair earlier in the meeting –  added concerns that the site was known locally as marshland and prone to flooding, citing further fears that materials including asbestos and arsenic had been dumped there in the past.

“This is a bad proposal and in the wrong location and there are plenty of more appropriate sites in Bangor, why not use the Ysgol Coedmawr site which will soon be available?” added Cllr Roberts.

Cllr Huw Wyn Jones argued that the addition of 60 vehicles – potentially two for every home – in the area was “madness” due to how busy Ffordd Penrhos is already known to be.

Cllr Steve Churchman said he would require more details on potential contamination before being satisfied with the plans, while Cllr Gruff Williams questioned the need for so much new housing in Bangor with jobs being lost at Bangor University and the uncertainty over Anglesey’s Wylfa Newydd nuclear project.

Members turned down the plans by ten votes to one.

But as they went against the recommendation of planning officers, it was confirmed that the item will be presented once again next month following the standard “cooling off” period.