Roads around a village where 41 houses are to be built should be upgraded “before we brick ourselves into a corner”, said a councillor.

The comments were made by Denbighshire county councillor Cllr Peter Evans at the authority’s planning committee on Wednesday.

He said he backed Macbryde Homes’ scheme to build 41 affordable properties for social housing provider Adra at the former Deva Caravan site off Ffordd Talargoch in Meliden.

However, Cllr Evans said roads in and around his Prestatyn Meliden ward should be upgraded to take the weight of traffic travelling to Prestatyn away from the village.

He said: “My main concern is the traffic generated on the A547. Knowing how congested this road is in the morning and afternoon because of the flow of traffic in and out of Prestatyn – and it will only get worse.

“Perhaps we should look at the alternatives, like improving the A548 towards Rhyl then over to Bryn Cwnin in Rhuddlan, before we brick ourselves into a corner.”

He added: “This development is a good use of a brownfield site and takes the pressure off green field developments.

“It’s a chance to help those who can only afford rented accommodation with the option of purchase at a later date, or part ownership even.”

Councillors agreed and backed the scheme, which will be called Parc Talargoch, with conditions there is a site-wide landscape scheme and soprano pipistrelle and lesser horseshoe bats on site are protected.

The development of energy efficient homes will comprise:

Eight one-bed flats

19 two-bed end and mid-terrace houses

12 three-bed end-terrace homes

two four-bed end terrace properties