TWO major development applications are to be discussed at a ‘reconvened’ Vale Council planning meeting including the future of Barry’s biomass burner and a decision on a large housing development on farmland in Cosmeston.
Probably one of the most crucial county planning discussions in recent times had to be cut short after councillors were unable to log in remotely to the meeting held on February 22.
While the meeting was organised to be held at the Vale Council offices, only three planning committee members turned up in person, overwhelming the remote link to the meet meaning many councillors could not log on.
It led councillor Nic Hodges, who was one of the rare councillors to attend in person, to say: “May I suggest councillors actively attend in person. There are three of us in the chamber which are voting members of the committee.”
The council supported planning committee chair Rob Thomas’ decision to adjourn the meeting saying it was “absolutely the correct decision” despite some councillors, including Independent Ian Perry, expressing their dismay saying councillors would have to go over old ground again in the reconvened meeting.
Where are we at with Vale Council’s crucial planning meeting on Cosmeston housing development and the Barry biomass burner?
Despite the meeting being cut short, councillors did manage to get through some agenda items including inviting invested parties to speak on the Cosmeston housing development, which Vale planning officers have advised should be granted.
Despite this recommendation, a passionate Cllr Kevin Mahoney, Independent for Cosmeston, expressed his concerns about local services being stretched by the influx of homeowners that could be coming to the area
“There’re no doctors and no secondary school spaces,” said Cllr Mahoney. “These services are gone.”
Read more
- Vale of Glamorgan planning meet hit by technical problems
- Emotions charged in housing debate on Upper Cosmeston Farm
Representative of designers of the development, Cardiff based Asbri Plannning’s Barrie Davies also got the opportunity to speak where he emphasised environmental considerations taken into account designing the development:
“Twenty-five hectares are earmarked for development, but in fact less than 16 hectares will be built on,” said Mr Davies, “with nine hectares for new and renewed habitats including wetlands, orchards, open spaces and 6,000 square metres of new hedgerows.”
On that other spectacular topic, Barry’s biomass burner potentially sparking up? That will hopefully begin being discussed at the reconvened meeting if councillors show up in person – or manage to get their laptops to work...
Vale Council’s planning meeting on Barry’s biomass burner and Cosmeston housing development is set to be discussed in a reconvened meeting on Thursday, March 21, 4pm.
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