Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Today I went for a beautiful walk in the sun, down Windmill Lane in Llanblethian, through a sloping field, with sheep and new spring shoots starting to poke through. The field at the bottom was still slightly flooded from the wet weather we have had. Then the friend I was with told me they are developing the field on the slope and putting 105 houses on it. Heart broken. How can this be so???? There are so many developments in the Cowbridge area at the moment, it feels like there is a total disregard for nature. Once the fields are developed that is it. They will never be home to wildlife, they will never absorb the rain that we have. This will have a knock on effect to the field below which will flood heavily due to lack of absorption on the sloping field.

All this development starts to make the area less pleasant to live in. We moved to a small town and it feels like soon we will be living in a large town, but without the benefits of the infrastructure that you would find like train links, more reliable buses, recreational facilities, restaurants, healthcare.

Here are also some points that my friend sent to me which I totally agree with.


1. Site 370 sits in the Thaw Valley, which is a designated Special Landscape Area. This designation was intended to protect open space from development. Site 370 provides unique character and this character will be lost permanently if replaced by housing.

2. Running through site 370 is a footpath that enables locals and rambling group to walk in open fields. This footpath provides access to other fields and open space, A housing development on site 370 would change the character of this public amenity severely and would restrict access to other open spaces for walking. This is not in keeping with the Council’s policies or Cowbridge’s Placemaking Plan. Housing should not result in the loss of existing public amenities,

3. Vehicular Access to site 370 via St Athan Road (the only access option) is a major RED flag due a sharp blind bend and narrow road. Site 370 does not required or allow for the realignment of St Athan Road. Realignment of St Athan Road is the only safe option for developments in this area, as determined by the Council previously. Cycling into and out of St Athan Road has the same RED flag safety issues.

4. Site 370 is not accessible for all users. This should also be a RED flag. The site has a steep gradient. The lower half of the field would not be suitable for elderly walkers, pushchairs, young children cycling. There are no pavement areas leading to this site, making access to public transport and services difficult. As a consequence, this will lead to a higher car usage than other potential sites in Cowbridge.

5. Site 370's steep gradient means the Council’s housing density requirements cannot be met and consequently green infrastructure cannot be delivered.