Green belt (From Barry And District News)

Green belt

I REFER to your article (March 31) entitled "Homes Delay" and feel it important to clarify the facts.

The Vale UDP has not been "shelved" but the Welsh Assembly Government has written to the Council advising that the Minister cannot consider its contents until he returns from leave and has, as a consequence, issued a "Holding Direction".

In respect of the proposed residential development on land north of the railway line in Rhoose, the UDP does not allocate 700 houses.

Rather, it proposes 400 houses up to the year 2011, with a further 200 after that date, as part of a phased development.

The council is also well aware of the need to secure appropriate planning gain to meet any additional needs placed upon the settlement as a result of the development at Rhoose.

As such, contributions will be sought for a number of things including improvements to local educational, recreational and public transport facilities, together with the provision of affordable housing.

All these issues, together with the layout and design of the scheme, will be outlined in a Development Brief.

In respect of the proposed Rhoose development and the other two issues mentioned in the article - the rejection of a Green Belt and the proposed extension to Wenvoe Quarry - the council remains of the opinion that all relevant procedures have been complied with in what has been a lengthy and expensive process.

Emma Harvey

(Operational Manager, Planning and Transportation Policy, Vale of

Glamorgan

Council)