Testun llawn:
I recognise that additional housing is needed across the Vale of Glamorgan and that well‑planned development is essential to meet demand both now and in the future. However, several of the proposals outlined in the RLDP place housing and associated development in locations that are wholly unsuitable, unsustainable, and unsupported by the necessary infrastructure. In particular, the plans affecting St Athan, Flemingston and Eglwys Brewys raise serious concerns about environmental impact, transport capacity, community safety, and the long‑term wellbeing of existing residents. The RLDP does not demonstrate that these rural communities can sustainably support the scale or type of development proposed, nor does it provide credible evidence that the required transport, drainage, employment, or community facilities will be delivered. The plan also threatens long‑established open spaces, including the Clive Road playing fields, which are central to the identity and wellbeing of the local community.
Loss of Long‑Established Open Spaces – Clive Road Playing Fields
The proposed development of Clive Road playing fields is wholly unacceptable. This land has served as a vital recreational and social asset for generations. Its loss would remove one of the few remaining accessible green spaces in St Athan, reduce opportunities for youth engagement, and permanently erode the character of the village. The RLDP provides no compelling justification for sacrificing this land, nor does it offer any equivalent replacement. If this space is developed the nearest remaining green space would be the Paul Lewis playing fields approximately a 19 minute walk from Clive Road. As the only remaining accessible green space in the village, the playing fields will inevitably become an extremely busy location. Additionally, formal rugby and football pitches do not provide an appropriate substitute for informal recreational land and present safety risks if used for dog walking, a distinction recognised by Welsh Assembly Governments Technical Advice Note (TAN) 16. If the green space at Clive Road is lost, this space can never be restored.
Inadequate Public Transport and Increased Car Dependency
The RLDP repeatedly claims to promote sustainable travel, yet the proposals for these villages directly contradict that aim. St Athan, Flemingston and Eglwys Brewys have no railway station, limited and unreliable bus services, and no realistic active‑travel links. Without credible, funded improvements, new development will force residents to rely almost entirely on private cars, increasing congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions. This directly undermines the Council’s own climate‑change and sustainability commitments.
Increased Surface Water Flooding from Loss of Farmland
The conversion of agricultural land into housing poses a serious flood‑risk concern. Farmland currently provides natural drainage and water absorption. Replacing it with hard surfaces will increase surface water run‑off, heighten flood risk for existing homes and roads, and place additional pressure on drainage systems already known to be fragile. The RLDP does not provide robust, site‑specific drainage strategies or long‑term maintenance plans to address these risks.
No Provision for Upgraded Infrastructure or Essential Services
One of the most serious shortcomings of the RLDP is the complete absence of any provision for upgraded essential infrastructure to support the proposed population growth. The plan does not include additional GP or dental capacity, increased fire, police or emergency service provision, meaningful road network improvements, or investment in community facilities. This omission makes the RLDP fundamentally unsound, as it fails to provide the basic services required for safe, healthy, functioning communities.
Potential for Increased Anti‑Social Behaviour and Pressure on Policing
The RLDP also fails to consider the social impacts of large‑scale development in rural villages. Rapid population growth without corresponding investment in community facilities, youth services, open spaces, and policing capacity increases the risk of anti‑social behaviour. St Athan, Flemingston and Eglwys Brewys are currently served by a police force that is already stretched, with limited local presence. Additional housing without increased policing resources will place further pressure on officers, reduce the ability to respond promptly to incidents, and undermine community safety and cohesion.
