Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

I object to the inclusion of site 370 - Bryn Melin - in the RLDP because the inclusion is not based on robust evidence and does not align with policy.
Thank you for your transparency in sharing some details of the assessments made on the candidate sites. By comparing the assessments made on three similar sites in Cowbridge, speficically Bryn Melin 370, South of Llantwit Major Road 367 and Primrose Hill 455, it becomes apparent that the assement criteria have not been applied in a uniform manner accross these sites.

Specifically:
Relationship to and compatibility with existing built form…
The Thaw Valley does not currently have any dense housing so adding dense housing cannot meet the criteria of compatible. However site 370 is graded green , site 367 amber and 455 red. This is clearly not a uniform application of the standard.

Density of the proposal in relation to existing developments
Same as above. How can the same rules have been applied to the three sites and yet Bryn Melin receives a green and the other sites are amber.

Vehicular access to site
Access from the St Athan road will create a significant safety hazard. This has been shown in an independent traffic survey provided to the council. It has also been recognised in previous reviews because previous inclusion in the LDP was based on the adjacent site being co-developed and the land being used to modify the road. Despite these facts Bryn Melin receives the same amber rating as the other two sites. This is not uniform application of the standard.

Access to Public Transport, pedestrian cycle routes
Bryn Melin is rated green and the other two sites are rated amber. Pedestrian and cycle access is similar on all three sites. The only public transport serving cowbridge is the X2. Are you arguing that the X2 drivers will refuse to accept residents from Bryn Melin as passengers? There is not other way the rating could be different for the three sites.

Placemaking Outcome Summary
Bryn Melin 370 gets a green. The inclusion of Bryn Melin was unanimously opposed by the Cowbridge and Llanblethian local council, the site has a slope of 12% making it difficult to meet a range of policy goals. It is situated in the beautiful Thaw Valley and the St Athan road access is completely unsuitable. If the assessment rules were applied uniformly then the summary would be red.

Please can someone explain why the assement rules have not been applied uniformly accross all sites?