Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Planning objections: Census data: Increased Congestion: Pressure on services: Impact on the green wedge: Flood plain/flood risk: Ultimately, the proposal put forward directly disregards the up to date statistical data outlined above.
Census data: Recent census data highlights that the largest sector of population growth within the Vale of Glamorgan is assigned to the elderly dependants with an increase of 24.9%. The Vale therefore stating that this proposed development is required to meet the needs of the Vale is inaccurate. The location of this sites puts the development at the periphery of the village, segregating and isolating those who will reside within it. Will these homes consist of bungalows, sheltered housing and accessible homes to meet the needs of the population who require it? I highly doubt it.
Increased congestion: 2021 census data shows that 83% of the population in Dinas Powys own at least 1 car within their household. The proposed developed therefore will see an increase of at least an additional 250 cars minimum, moving through the village each day. At worst this is upwards of 500 if every household has two cars. Road and pavement infrastructure has not seen any significant investment in decades. It simply cannot cope with the increase volume of traffic. It cannot cope now. The peripheral location of this development will see a heavy reliance on car ownership. The nearest train station to the development is already oversubscribed with Eastbrook users unable to access trains during peak times due to congestion from Barry station. The car park there is limited, and the station shows no consideration or facilities for those with accessibility issues. It discriminates against anyone with a physical disability, parents with children, or those using bikes and makes a mockery of the 'active travel' routes posed in this development plan. Coupled with a train service currently overwhelmed by recent developments in Barry. It is not a reliable or realistic service for people to use. 12.8% of the population within Dinas Powys do not own a car, therefore the active travel links shown within the proposed developments are likely to be seriously underutilised to negate the reliance of car usage.
Increased pollution: Air quality levels will also be significantly impacted by the increase in congestion caused by the developments. Before the development at Scholars Park was completed, reports outlined the Cardiff Road was already operating at 100% capacity. After the development was completed, it showed that Cardiff Road was operating at 120% capacity. No changes, amendments or improvements have been made to Cardiff Road. This is the main route through Dinas Powys, which this development will feed into. The standing traffic exacerbated as a result of this development passes a total of 3 schools and 1-day care facility. Government reports state, 'Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, as long-term exposure to air pollution can cause chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.' Gov UK, Health Matters: Air Pollution 2018. To even suggest that the increase in cars will not drastically decrease the quality of life of existing villagers is insulting. It is negligence at the highest level.
Pressure on services: Our health centre is oversubscribed. They have recently taken on Penarth residents after the closure of the Redlands Road surgery. Our schools are oversubscribed. For the academic year starting 2023, St Cyres had 500+ applications for a total of 210 spaces. We know that there are no legally binding elements of the LDP that force these services to be implemented prior to the development of housing. This has been shown in the Plas Dwr development whereby the new Secondary school building has been delayed by 9 years! Again, residents are likely to experience a significant decrease in their of life through limited educational and health care opportunities.
Loss of the Green Wedge: Unfortunately, it appears that the Green Wedge is a fluid zone of greenery that can be moved around at will. In recent years several property owners within the Green Wedge have seen personal planning applications rejected, on the basis that the loss of the Green Wedge is to be avoided at all costs. It is laughable that the LDP is now looking to decimate the Green Wedge forever. At Eastbrook there are several protected species of flora and fauna, as well as Holy Wells. We have a moral responsibility to protect these environments at all costs.
Flood plain / flood risk: Flooding has continued to worsen in Dinas Powys in recent years. Both developments will see an increase in impermeable services, leading to increased levels of surface run off reducing lag time, leading to the River Cadoxton experiencing higher volumes of water. The addition of drainage infrastructure will further reduce the lag time of rainfall, again resulting in higher volumes of water entering the river. Higher volumes of water will increase river velocity and energy levels. So not only will flooding increase, but the damage through erosional processes will also increase negatively impacting large percentages of the Dinas Powys population. Large sections of the development are either on existing floodplains or areas of land experiencing high levels of saturation. With global warming this is a problem that will worsen. Ultimately, the proposal put forward directly disregards the up to date statistical data outlined above. If this development goes ahead then it proves that all of these objections were to be ignored from the start. You should be ashamed of yourselves