PLANS for 15 new town centre flats are set to be approved by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

A report due to go before the planning committee on Thursday (February 13) recommends converting the council offices at Haydock House, on Holton Road, into 15 affordable flats and a cafe at ground level.

However, Plaid Cymru councillor Ian Johnson has said that serious thought needs to be given into the area surrounding the building if plans are to go ahead.

He is primarily calling for a new street crossing at the bottom of Buttrills Road, saying that it would be more important than ever to safely link the pedestrian route from Elis Fisher Court and the new Golau Caredig flats with Haydock House and the town centre.

He said: “If the flats at Haydock House are given the go-ahead, then now is the time to improve that awkward area between the old cinema and the start of Holton Road proper.

"At the moment, the junction looks a bit of an eyesore, with supposedly temporary road barriers across the bottom of Buttrills Road and is confusing for pedestrians who don’t always know where traffic is coming from, or its speed.

“If Haydock House gets permission, then that will be at least 20 more residents who will be using the area on a regular basis.

“The developers should contribute both to a new crossing and improving the playground facilities at Gladstone Gardens.”

Speaking about the proposed flats he said: “The council’s decision to leave Haydock House and the lack of demand for offices in Barry town centre leaves little option except for flats.

“This will meet a need for one-bedroom flats in Barry town centre, but local residents already living nearby should not be inconvenienced.

“I have expressed concern that there are not enough on-site parking spaces and called for monitoring of rubbish and drainage to make sure that the facilities are appropriate for a new development.”