Testun llawn:
I wish to formally object to the inclusion of Site KS2 in the Replacement Local Development Plan.
1. Severe Traffic Impact and Highway Safety - Cardiff Road is already heavily congested and functions as a well-known rat run for traffic travelling to and from Barry and surrounding areas. Peak-time conditions are frequently at or beyond capacity, with regular queues and delays. The addition of approximately 250 dwellings would significantly increase vehicle movements, exacerbating congestion, increasing journey times, and raising highway safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. The current road network does not appear capable of safely accommodating this level of additional traffic without substantial, clearly funded mitigation.
2. Pressure on Local Healthcare Services - Local GP surgeries and health services serving Dinas Powys are already under considerable strain. Residents frequently experience difficulty securing routine appointments. Additional population growth from this development would place further unsustainable pressure on already overstretched healthcare provision. There is no clear, deliverable plan showing how additional primary care capacity would be provided in step with development.
3. Lack of School Capacity - Local primary and secondary schools are understood to be operating at or near capacity. Without guaranteed, funded expansion of school places delivered ahead of or alongside the development, the proposal risks forcing children to travel further afield, increasing traffic and undermining community cohesion.
4. Infrastructure Deficit and Cumulative Impact - Dinas Powys already experiences infrastructure constraints, including traffic congestion, limited healthcare access, and pressure on community facilities. The plan does not convincingly demonstrate that infrastructure will be delivered in advance of occupation. The cumulative impact of this allocation, alongside other planned growth in the wider area, appears to have been underestimated.
5. Concerns Regarding Equity of Investment - There is a strong local perception that Dinas Powys does not receive the same level of infrastructure investment and maintenance as nearby settlements such as Barry and Penarth. Existing issues — including road maintenance and service provision — should be addressed before allocating further major growth to the village.
6. Unsustainable Location - Given the existing constraints on transport, healthcare, and education, the scale of development proposed at KS2 does not represent sustainable growth in line with the principles of the plan.
Conclusion
For the reasons set out above, Site KS2 is not considered sound in terms of infrastructure capacity, deliverability, or sustainability. The allocation should therefore be removed from the Replacement Local Development Plan unless and until clear, fully funded infrastructure solutions are identified and guaranteed.
