Housing project halted over pollution concerns

The River Loughor divides Swansea county and Carmarthenshire

Plans for 50 affordable homes close to a special conservation area has been put on hold over concerns about water quality.

Swansea council had been due to determine the application for Penyrheol, near the Loughor Estuary, which is part of a special area of conservation (SAC), but Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued advice about the effects of nutrient pollution on SACs.

Nutrient pollution is the over-presence of nutrients within a body of water, usually inorganic dissolved nitrogen as a result of agriculture and domestic sewage.

NRW said water quality challenges were placing "considerable pressure" on ecosystems.

An assessment published in June analysed 17 special protected areas in Wales, which determined more than half of habitats and species found were in "unfavourable condition" as a result of nutrient pollution.

NRW said there was evidence of "chemical and biological failure" at an area within Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries called Burry Inlet Inner.

Similar findings were also identified in two other marine areas in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey.

A Swansea Council spokesman said: "Discussions are continuing with NRW and other relevant bodies to fully understand the implications and actions needed."

The council in Carmarthenshire, which sits on the other side of the Loughor Estuary, said it was working with NRW, the Welsh government and Welsh Water and would "urgently review" the implications of guidance