A LONG-RUNNING campaign to stop a church re-development plan has resulted in the application being thrown out, but the developer deciding to appeal the decision.

The WRAP Around Residents’ Action Group gathered outside the Civic Offices, on Holton Road, Barry, on Thursday, January 5 - ahead of the Vale of Glamorgan Council planning meeting.

Residents attended the meeting where DS Properties (Barry) application to convert the Windsor Road United Reformed Church was discussed.

The action group campaigned for 270 days against the proposal for office and living space units to be built in the vacant building.

Vale council planning officers recommended the application, deferred in September last year for highway issues to be addressed, be approved.

The agent, acting on behalf of the developer, submitted five parking solution options in the report considered by committee.

Speaking at the meeting in favour of the application, DS properties developer Simon Baston said: “We looked at it from many angles. We took on the risk. We are specialists in conservation and complex projects. We still want to engage with residents. We are committed to Barry.”

WRAP campaigner, Laurence Blight, opposing the development, addressed the meeting.

He said: “Nothing has changed.

“There are unacceptable road safety and congestion issues and it is unsustainable.

“Hundreds of people have objected and we believe it will be detrimental to the area.”

Baruc ward councillor, Steffan William added the applicants had failed to reconsider.

WRAP campaigner, Adrian Taylor, said they were pleased with the decision to disallow the proposal.

He added: “We fully expect DS Properties to appeal the decision as throughout our campaign they have not accepted the accurate information on the parking congestion and road safety given by the WRAP Group and refused to accept the negative impact their scheme would have on both the local residents and the economic viability of the High Street traders.

“We will continue our campaign to have the URC Windsor Road developed in a sympathetic way that will enable it to become an asset to our local community."

Mr Baston said an appeal would be lodged on Friday, January 15.