A site of virgin land near Cardiff is the latest bit of countryside to become embroiled in a row over whether or not planning permission should be granted to new developments in previously unspoilt rural areas.

The site is a piece of greenfield land between Pontprennau and Lisvane in Cardiff, for which planners have earmarked a sizeable development of some 4,000 new homes.

This very much fits in with the proposed Unitary Development Plan for the area, which recommended that the city and surrounding areas are likely to need to give up sufficient Greenfield land by 2016 to build more than 7,000 homes. Residents and some council members are obviously distressed about the effect that the plans will have on their local environment.

Lisvane councillor David Walker said: "Under these proposals, the number of homes will swamp the countryside between Pontprennau and Lisvane. I believe there is an imbalance in development, with too many homes proposed on greenfield sites in the east of the city and a much smaller number of properties in the west. There needs to be as wide as buffer as possible between Pontprennau and Lisvane to ensure the village atmosphere of Lisvane is not destroyed. I am also concerned about the impact of additional traffic on Eastern Avenue."

However, the council has been unmoved by the opposition and is pressing on with the plans regardless. A statement issued stated that the concerns of residents are not in this case sufficiently justified to undermine the plans for the expansion of local housing quotas.

However, in a bid to win local support and appease some of those campaigning against the plans, the council has plans to draw up a framework to maximise the potential for local community benefit. According to Pontprennau councillor Paul Cubitt, this will address issues surrounding public transport, schooling, community open spaces and recreation facilities.

He said: "The council is to consider seeking expert support to assist in ensuring it maximises community benefit from this development. While I understand local residents' concerns regarding the potential scale of the development proposed at Pontprennau and Lisvane, I am sure they will also welcome news that consultation is to continue."