Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

I formally objection to the inclusion of Site 370, Bryn Melin, Cowbridge in the RLDP as the Candidate Site Assessment Methodology has not been applied consistently with Bryn Melin being scored more generously than other sites with similar or lesser issues. Also, historical decisions regarding this site are being disregarded,


Methodology
1. Topography and site conditions should not be assessed as green but should be red. Site 370 is challenging and steep. The general gradient is 1 in 12.5 but it is steeper in places. Any development will require extensive excavation and result in a higher carbon footprint. Other sites that do not have this slope can provide the density of housing required by the Council. This site cannot. Less density and higher construction cost, equals a site with limited returns for the developer as a result the non-compliance with green sustainable measures (such no solar panels) and no funds for safe infrastructure (such no road realignment).

2. Vehicular Access for Site 370 should be red, not amber. St Athan Road has severe traffic safety issues that previously resulted in this site being rejected. Access to Site 370 is inherently unsafe due to road width and a sharp, blind bend on B4270 (St Athan Road). Council has previously judged that any development of this site would require realignment of St Athan Road. Sites 367 and 455 are also amber but do not have such serious constraints.

3. Access to public transport, pedestrian cycle routes. Sites 367 and 455 are an easy, flat walk to very close bus stops, pavements and cycle routes. These sites have an amber score. Site 370 has none of these close by yet it has been given a green score. Site 370 is much further from any paved areas and bus routes. The slope will add challenge for walkers and cyclists. The score should be red.

4, Whether the Site appears accessible to all users. This section is blank but should also be red. The slope will be difficult for the elderly, disabled, young children on bikes, pushchairs. Sites 367 and 455 are amber. They are flatter and have much better accessibility and for a larger number of users.

5. Visual Impact on landscape and Significance of Site to Area. Site 370 should be red, not amber for both categories. It is part of the Thaw Valley which is a Special Landscape Area. The Thaw Valley provides unique, high visual, dramatic valley scenery which will be lost through development. The Special Landscape status of the Thaw was provided to protect the Thaw Valley from development. This should be respected and is a requirement of the Cowbridge Placemaking principals. Contrary to the Carney Sweeney report provided by Redrow, a standard housing development (similar to many others that can be seen all over the UK) will not provide an enhancement to Cowbridge, but instead result in a huge loss of unique, open space and green fields. Sites 367 and 455 are red but are not part of The Thaw Valley, Special Landscape Area.

6. Opportunities for enhancing green infrastructure/active travel. Again there is an inconsistent scoring. Sites 367 and 455 are amber, but Site 370 is green. This makes no sense as Site 370 has more challenges and is further from facilities. As mentioned earlier. Site 370 has a steep slope and is further from shops, bus stops, medical and leisure facilities. Cowbridge has little employment. The bus takes over 50 minutes to get into Cardiff. I tried to do this for a year and it was unsustainable. The bus takes too long, it is unreliable and when it gets cancelled you are completely stuck. This development in particular will result in more cars in Cowbridge and more local traffic due to its position and the site topography. It should be red.

7. Community Facilities. This should be scored red, not green for Site 370. This site is a green field that is currently used by locals, walking groups and dog walkers for exercise, to pick blackberries and enjoy being in nature. A development on this site will be a loss to the community.


8. Placemaking outcome strategy. Site 455 is amber and 367 is red. Site 370 is green yet it is in the only site in the Thaw Valley, Special Landscape Area and it’s loss would be detrimental to local character. It would result in more car usage than 455 and 367 due to it’s position on the edge oof the town and it’s steep incline.


History
1. Site 370 has been rejected previously 3 times on expert grounds. It should no longer be considered, as per council policy which has been applied to other sites.

2. The Bryn Melin site in the current LDP is not the same as Site 370. The current LDP Bryn Melin site can only be developed if St Athan Road is realigned. This requirement is clear and necessary. What is the rational now for REMOVING this well thought through Council requirement? Access and traffic safety are a fundamental part of the Assessment Stages for including sites in an LDP. Why has this not happened for Site 370? Why has the independent traffic report from Lime Transport provided by the Thaw Valley Group been ignored? An inconsistent approach is being applied to Site 370 which ignores the Council's historical decisions.