Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Reconsider the proposed entrance location

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed estate entrance at Church Farm and strongly object to the new layout of the proposed entrance for the hybrid Barratt/David Wilson retail outlet and resident housing for the 500 plus dwellings with the main hybrid access positioned on Gileston Road.

I believe that the proposed entrance layout is inappropriate for this location and is contrary to the principles set out in the well being of future generations(Wales) Act particularly with regard to sustainable infrastructure, road safety with the local school and community dwellings.

-IMPACT THE PROPOSED CURRENT ENTRANCE WILL HAVE ON THE VILLAGE

1-Traffic Congestion/Volume

Gileston Roadis the main access route into St Athan and already experiences significant traffic issues. There have been numerous accidents at the top of the road due to its existing layout. Vehicle speeds frequently exceed the 20mph limit, with cars travelling at excessive speeds both into and out of the village in this built-up area.

Traffic volumes are already high, and it can take up to 5 minutes to safely exit residential driveways. Vehicles approaching from the village create a significant blind spot for residents particularly affecting those who live on Gileston Road.

The proposed entrance would introduce a substantial increase in traffic, which the current road infrastructure is wholly incapable of supporting even with suggested plans of widening the road this will not solve the current issue. This would significantly worsen congestion and pose serious safety risks not only to residents of Gileston Road but also to the wider village road network


2- Noise disturbance

This area is currently a very quiet residential location. The scale of the proposed development would result in severe noise pollution, fundamentally altering the character of the neighbourhood and destroying the amenity of existing and surrounding homes in the village. Is there a need for the volume of houses proposed?

It is also understood that there is a further proposal for approximately 600 additional dwellings at the rear of the village. When considered cumulatively, the impact of both developments would be overwhelming and would dramatically intensify what is already becoming an unsustainable situation for residents.

3- Parking issues

Parking is already a significant issue with the village. While parking provision may meet minimum standards for new dwellings, experience shows that households frequently own more vehicles than allocate spaces.

This will inevitably lead to overall parking on surrounding roads, creating additional congestion, obstruction, and safety concerns for existing residents.

The below is another matter.

INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVIECS AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR THOUGHT

Whilst I support the principle of providing housing for future generations, this scale of development is not supported by adequate infrastructure. The proposal conflicts with both National and Welsh Future Generations policies due to insufficient healthcare provisions transport infrastructure and community services.

Local GP surgeries are already overstretched, with residents struggling to secure appointments within a two-month period. Public transport provision remains inadequate, the promised train station at St Athan has not materialised and bus service are infrequent and often cancelled leaving residents stranded.

Furthermore, the introduction of a large retail outlet on this site will not resolve infrastructure shortcoming and will likely harm local businesses by diverting trade away from the village centre. The increased footfall from outside this area that the retail outlet will attract will further exacerbate traffic congestion. Could this not perhaps, be a consideration to incorporate smaller shops & businesses to thrive within the growing community.

ALTERNATIVE ACCESS CONSIDERATIONS

I respectfully urge the planning authority to please reconsider the proposed entrance location.While I understand that access from a roundabout cannot be positioned near the monument, it would be far safer and more appropriate to locate the entrance further along the B road at the top, where traffic flows more freely and visibility is improved. The current proposal presents an unacceptable highway hazard especially with the blind spot on Gileston Road, where the cars speed around the bend towards the junction at the top which has caused the aforementioned previous accidents.

Many residents have already attended meetings to discuss this matter, and a petition is under way in support and there is widespread agreement within the community regarding the concerns outlined above, particularly to the proposed entrance road. Residents are willing to engage constructively and work together to a compromise, however the proposed entrance as currently designed would cause significant disruption and lasting harm to the small and quiet village.