A GROUP OF Pontardawe residents has told Neath Port Talbot Council that they will fight tooth and nail to keep the town's college buildings as part of the community.

The stark warning comes after it was announced that the council is seeking outline planning permission for over 100 houses on the site of the old school and college.

An emergency meeting was held on Thursday, when residents voted unanimously to battle to keep the buildings, which make up one of the last heritage sites in the town.

Marion Komaskey, who called the meeting, said residents were furious over the proposals, with traffic problems already blighting the area.

She added: "The new site is directly opposite Pontardawe Welsh School. The traffic there between 8.30am and 9.15am, and around 3.30pm, is chronic.

"Add another 100 houses to that and it will be impossible."

Mrs Komaskey also cited the development of 204 homes on Gelligron hill, on the other side of the estate, as another reason why this new plan could not go ahead.

"We've had problems with sewage before, so 204 new homes are bound increase these issues.

"Add another 100 homes and it will be even worse."

Other worries brought up at the meeting included the problems the new homes would cause for the local doctor and dentists, who are hopelessly over-stretched.

"Some people already living here cannot get an NHS dentist, so imagine the impact another 100-plus families would have, even if they only had just one child each," Mrs Komaskey added.

Residents also voiced concerns over the loss of history that the demolition of old buildings would bring.

"We haven't got much heritage left in Pontardawe and we are determined to fight to keep the buildings as part of the community," Mrs Komaskey declared. "The meeting went very well and we are going to fight tooth and nail to put a stop to these plans."