Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Retail - Land at Bridge House Farm Site ID 379 Proposal Number SP12(2)
In 2022 LIDL submitted a planning application for a supermarket on a parcel of land which had in the past been part of Bridge House Farm. The farmhouse itself had stood vacant for a number of years until it was recently purchased and is being restored as a family home.
The application attracted a great deal of concern and objections based on the fact that this development would result in both visual and physical coalescence between Llanmaes and Llantwit Major. Its entrance would be directly off the main access lane to Llanmaes, close to the main road junction, managed by traffic lights and pedestrian crossing.
The planners at the Vale of Glamorgan recommended refusal of this application based on the the fact that the site was outside the RLDP's defined strategic growth area and other associated concerns. Some councillors chose to ignore the professional assessment of the VoG planning dept. and, without presenting reasoned argument, voted to approve the application.
The application has been referred to PEDW and will be subject to a full enquiry.
The enquiry will surely offer an opportunity to consider locations other the Bridge House Farm site. For example, there is land that borders the Northern Access Road. With the infrastructure for active travel, an existing roundabout for traffic management and closeness to the growing St Athan community this would seem to be a significantly more suitable location for a new retail development.