Wenvoe residents campaign against housing development plans (From Barry And District News)

Wenvoe residents campaign against housing development plans

9:00am Sunday 21st October 2012 in News By Chris Seal

A GROUP of Wenvoe residents is opposing plans by developer Redrow to build 150 houses in the area.

Wenvoe Residents' Action Group has described the planning application for outline permission as 'totally inappropriate', and has appealed for local people to formally voice concerns about the proposals, which relate to land to the west of Port Road.

Elizabeth Mildred, Chairwoman of the group, said: "Having already opposed this totally inappropriate development once this year, when it was proposed for the LDP back in March, we find ourselves yet again having to mount another campaign to protect our village and save our countryside from imminent destruction."

Redrow Homes has already been told by the Vale Coucil that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not needed on the site.

A planning statement outlined that although the area has been designated as a Special Landscape Area (SLA) in the UDP, 'new development within SLAs will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that it will not adversely affect the landscape character, landscape features or visual amenities of the SLAs'.

Mrs Mildred said she was also concerned about congestion and pollution on Port Road, and claimed Redrow's traffic assessments are 'completely inadequate'.

"People must write to formally voice their objections to this ill-advised proposal and ensure that we protect our village from being overwhelmed by this development," she said.

"We have a website - www.wenvoerag.co.uk - giving residents all the information they should need to make their voices heard."

Vale MP Alun Cairns has offered his support to the group.

"I would urge everyone to make sure their feelings are represented, by lodging their concerns with the Vale of Glamorgan Planning Department," he said.

Rob Thomas, Director of Development Services at the Vale Council, said the council is currently considering the application.

"The Council has consulted widely on the proposal, with over 130 property owners or occupiers being formally consulted," he said.

"Anyone who has not received a letter is also at liberty to comment on the proposals.

"I am aware that a number of concerns have been raised by the local community, as the Council has received a considerable amount of representations."

It has not yet been decided when the application will go before the Planning Committee.

Stuart Rowlands, managing director of Redrow South Wales, said: "The application is in outline and is for up to 150 houses. The decision to submit the application followed the council's publication of the Local Development Plan earlier this year where they identified the land as suitable for residential development.

"We are aware that there is opposition in the village, but to date no-one has approached us directly with their concerns or comments.

"We have also asked for copies of any local resident objections so that we can respond appropriately. However, we have been told they are confidential and that we cannot have access to them.

"As a result, while we are aware of the general opposition to the application, we are unaware to date of the exact nature of the concerns being raised."

He added: "With regards to matters such as transport and environment, we have submitted our studies, findings and mitigation proposals as part of the application. Redrow will now be working with council officers to seek to agree a way forward."