BARRY Town Council (BTC) planners have re-iterated their opposition to the re-development of a Barry church, following the developers appeal.

DS Properties (Barry) Ltd developer Simon Baston lodged an appeal this month after the Vale council refused planning permission for live-work units and office space in the United Reformed Church, and school buildings, on Windsor Road.

The WRAP Around Residents’ Action Group saw the application dismissed at a Vale council planning meeting on January 5, 2017.

The action group had campaigned for 270 days against the proposal.

The committee had deferred its decision, in September 2016, for highways issues to be addressed and parking solutions found.

BTC planning officer, Clive Farrant told the meeting, on Tuesday, March 21, that two further issues had emerged, which strengthened the view for to present at appeal.

He said the Mount Rooms hotel had opened on the former Mount Sorrel hotel site, opposite, and a pedestrian crossing would affect parking and traffic flow.

Baruc ward councillor, Steffan Wiliam said: “It’s a thriving hotel which is going to increase vehicles with a reduction in parking. A pedestrian crossing is going to be built on Porthkerry Road.”

Councillors agreed to lodge their opposition to the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by March 30.

Following the meeting, Wrap campaigner, Francesca Dawson said she was delighted with the decision.

Campaigner, Laurence Blight said the town council’s planning committee had objected twice considering the site to be significantly overdeveloped with a lack of on-site vehicular parking.

Mr Blight added: “The community really appreciates the support it has had from local ward Plaid and Labour councillors, and would like to thank the Barry Town planning committee for recognising the validity of the concerns of many residents, Romilly School governors, High Street Traders and Assembly Members.

“WRAP Around notes that while we welcome the creation of the Mount Rooms on the old Mount Sorrel site, since they opened, parking has got more challenging. This will become more so, once the double yellow lines and pedestrian crossing are installed.”