RESIDENTS opposing a 200-dwelling housing proposal on a Barry greenfield site have received the backing of a local environmental group and more politicians.

Friends of Weycock Cross group leaders, Frank and Debra Cleland, appealed for support after housebuilder Taylor Wimpey re-submitted a plan to build on Green Farm, Barry – on the area of land between the Cwm Ciddy public house and Pontypridd Road.

Friends of Weycock Cross objected to the plans on the grounds that traffic congestion would have an impact on the town and local schools, but Taylor Wimpey said there was a recognised need for housing in the town.

Vale MP Alun Cairns and Buttrills councillor, Ian Johnson have pledged their support and have now been joined by Friends of the Earth Barry&Vale, Vale AM Jane Hutt and Iltyd councillors, who are not on the planning committee and able to speak, Howard Hamilton and Rhona Probert.

Barry & Vale Friends of the Earth co-ordinator, Keith Stockdale, said the group would be renewing its objections to this Green Field housing development proposal, which is outside the LDP boundaries and is wanted by nobody but the large companies.

He said: “The application may be discussed at our September meeting on the State of Nature in the Vale as it will take away more green open space and start to eat into the Vale. The Green Farm fields are a natural part of Porthkerry Country Park and should remain untouched. We propose the joining up of the Ancient Woodlands - such as those around Five Mile lane which are already protected as SSSI's - to provide a green belt around Barry.

“The Vale have got their housing numbers wrong. Welsh Government figures show we do not need as many houses as the Vale proposes, but we are worried that planning officers in our Welsh government are telling councils to just go ahead and build houses wherever they like. We also worried about other housing development proposals at Weycock Cross.”

Cllr Rhona Probert said nothing had changed her views on possible development at Weycock Cross as it was not in the current version of the LDP, and it was outside the settlement boundary and would result in ribbon development towards Rhoose.

She said: “Illtyd councillors share the concerns of local residents about the proposed large developments at Weycock Cross; their impact on local traffic and breaching of the settlement boundary of Barry at a sensitive point; and the demands created on local facilities. We will continue to listen to local residents and represent their views, and to keep them informed.”

She said councillors would circulate an information update leaflet shortly and indicated they were paying close attention to the planning applications and had asked for further assessment about traffic impact.

She added: “Beyond that the planning committee must consider the applications, residents’ views and the council planning department’s assessment and come to a decision within the planning framework.