CADOXTON residents have hit out at a Vale of Glamorgan Council decision to approve a development brief that would allow work on nearby land.

The controversial plan could pave the way for new build on three plots owned by the Welsh Church Acts Trust.

But it was only brought to light when the ward's Cllr Neil Moore called the decision to Scrutiny Committee and informed people in the area about the situation.

Homeowners in several streets are disgusted they were not informed.

One resident, Janet Hill, said: "Most of us here feel the council use us as the dumping ground of Barry. We fought against a telephone mast that was to be forced on us. Now we have the local authority riding roughshod, giving permission for these plots of land to be open to developers. How about asking us how we feel?

"This is not a political battle for us. We don't care who controls the council or who makes decisions. All we want is consideration when it comes to our homes. The authorities who make snap decisions can walk away. It's us who have to live with the after-effects."

Labour Cllr Neil Moore agrees council steamed through the brief.

He said: "I find it extraordinary that the Cabinet made a recommendation without any consultation and forced it to a vote at Planning the same evening. I tried to stop this being agreed without proper thought and consultation.

"I consider this to be a breach of council procedure and have requested the Chief Executive and the Council Monitoring Officer investigate what happened and whether it is legal.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "In accordance with current procedures, the development brief was referred by the council Cabinet to the Planning Committee and their views that the document should be endorsed were due to be considered again by the Cabinet yesterday."