A PLANNING application near Newcastle Emlyn has been deferred for further details as councillors argued that greater flexibility is needed for small holdings and rural enterprises.

Members of Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee asked for more details about an applicant's affordable housing need, the location of a proposed affordable home and other matters before making their decision.

An application for an affordable bungalow on family land at Efor Grug, Cwm Cou had been recommend for refusal by planning officers but local member Cllr Wyn Thomas had urged approval to allow a family to make their “forever home” on a small holding.

The applicant had inherited around 23 acres of land at Glyn Caled farm from his grandparents and had kept animals there for the last nine years the committee heard. However it was not a large enough farm to make a sole living from and was not within rural enterprise policy.

Cllr Maldwyn Lewis said: “Small holdings are so important to the history and culture of Ceredigion. A small holding without a place for people to live in are of no worth.”

The need to look at planning policy was highlighted by Cllr Gareth Lloyd, who said without hundreds of acres of land it was “practically impossible” to be employed full-time in agriculture.

The committee voted to defer the plan for further discussions with the applicant.