Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Ideally I would like the council to withdraw this site from the LDP and instead consider how it might be used to further the implementation of its Tree Strategy and Green Infrastructure plan.

I oppose the development of land to the north of Dinas Powys for the following reasons:
Flooding: Dinas Powys is already at risk of flooding and many houses were flooded in December 2020. Developing the land north of Dinas Powys will result in further run-off of water into the Eastbrook river, which can only exacerbate the risk of flooding downstream. I am also concerned that the development, increasing the flooding risk, will then encourage NRW to return to the proposed storage reservoir mooted a few years ago for the Mill Fields – a proposal to which the whole village and those beyond were adamantly opposed.
Loss of wildlife and trees: The development would destroy key areas of countryside with loss of habitat for wildlife. I live adjacent to the land north of Dinas Powys and frequently see bats and hear owls. The Vale of Glamorgan Tree Strategy 2024-2039 discusses the need for tree canopy and the development would be contrary to the principles in the Tree Strategy. There are mature trees throughout the area. Of most knowledge to me is the mature field border behind Georges Row, which is on the edge the proposed development. This border is lined with oak trees, which sustain nesting birds and much other wildlife. There is a particularly huge oak tree neighbouring 40 Georges Row. If this tree is to remain, the area nearby must be left undisturbed so as to protect its roots. Equally its extensive branches could be of danger to any houses built underneath it. It is not easy to understand how this site can be said to have biodiversity benefits when it will be so detrimental to the environment and wildlife.
The development appears to be in direct contradiction to the Green Infrastructure Strategy. The trees and fields on the site of the proposed development are used to enhance wellbeing and good health, as popular areas for dog walking , rambling and enjoying the countryside. There is biodiversity and a range of habitats for birds and mammals on the area due for development, and the fields help create a sense of space as a border to the urban environment of Dinas Powys. Building on these fields will reduce the green infrastructure in these ways, result in biodiversity losses rather than gains and exacerbate the local effects of climate change through missing the chance to use the environment there to reduce the risks of flooding downstream.
Village identity: The proposed reduction in the green wedge between Dinas Powys and Llandough with the proposed development to the north of Dinas Powys will have a significant impact on the perception of Dinas Powys as a distinct village. The doubling in size of Llandough hospital has already reduced the separation of the village. Dinas Powys will lose its wonderful village identity, with the risk that the eastern Vale will be viewed as a single urban settlement of Cardiff/Penarth/Llandough/Dinas Powys. A green wedge needs to be more than just a field or two to properly separate our villages and towns.
Traffic congestion: Cardiff Road in Dinas Powys is already notoriously congested and the stretch by the bus lane is almost always queuing, due to the bottleneck of the junction with Redlands Road. The development north of Dinas Powys will create a key junction onto this busy section of road. Any traffic management system, such as traffic lights, will create further congestion through Dinas Powys travelling northward, and exacerbate the occurrences of southbound traffic backing up to the Redlands Road junction.
Infrastructure: The local GP services are at capacity. The local primary schools in Dinas Powys are oversubscribed. St Cyres secondary school was rebuilt with a lower capacity than previously available and is also full. It is difficult to understand how the village can absorb these new homes without detriment to all its residents.
I urge the council and Welsh Government to reject this site from the RLDP and reprioritise brown field sites where you are not destroying nature and local communities.