VOG is unique within Wales with a relatively large and important areas: in cultural, historical, geographical, industrial, commercial, agricultural and recreational terms. It’s span from seaside villages/towns, previously, highly important previous industrial areas, such as the docks in Barry, the fertile farming areas, the market town of Cowbridge, the recreational areas of Barry, the Heritage Coastal Path, the ancient seat of learning in Llantwit Major to the historic villages and hamlets of the Vale.
In my opinion, the RLDP should maintain and wherever possible improve on these traditional areas. As an example, Barry has benefited from major improvements in recent years and the VOG should be commended for the regeneration of this area.

I live in the village of Llanmaes where there is a proposed building of a major Lidl Supermarket store. It seems to me that this is in direct contradiction to the VOG RLDP for the following reasons:

* This will undoubtedly, lead to Urban sprawl.
*Llanmaes is an Ancient Conservation village. The Church dates from 1234 and there are many Listed Dwellings.
*Community Council and Social Committee. Both maintain the external Environment of Llanmaes, including the Community Hall. Numerous Social events take place, including Charity Events, (Velindre etc.), a monthly film, a Summer Fête, Fashion Show, Harvest Festival on so on.
The list is endless and the Social Committee has recently, received an award. People from the area are encouraged to attend and there are strong links with the local pub, the Blacksmith’s. This cooperation has helped the pub to remain open in the village, when many pubs have closed. There is a true and meaningful Community connection in Llanmaes.

*The village is a Recreational area for cyclists, walkers, the disabled, horse riding and so on. As a member of the VOG Ramblers, we often walk through Llanmaes. I often see the disabled being walked through the village by carers, cycling clubs cycle through the village on Sunday mornings and riding schools bring young children through the village, as well as more mature riders without even mentioning dog walkers.

With an ageing population, the village is an important area for gentle exercise. There is a route which we call the ‘Sigginstone’ route which goes through the village to Sigginstone, Llantwit Major and back into Llanmaes.

*Mental Health and the Cost of Living issues are genuinely helped by these elements.

*Natural Resources Wales’ recent report on River pollution, Air Pollution and Flooding is very poignant to Llanmaes. Only this week, Dŵr has been in evidence in the village this week because of potential flooding. This is a constant concern for the area.

*This is an Agricultural area with Farming areas, being at the heart of the Community. Conversation is also at the heart of the village as a Conservation area. We have Green Areas.

In my opinion, Lidl, a massive Commercial Supermarket is not an improvement to the area. In my opinion, it will be detrimental, both to Llantwit Major and Llanmaes, as well as the wider area. Filco and the Cooperative Society in Llanmaes have also become a Social hub which encourages people to go into the centre of Llantwit Major which has had a knock on effect to encourage people into cafes and other shops in the centre of Llantwit Major.

Therefore, in my opinion, the proposed Lidl Supermarket does not enhance the area, nor does it fit into the RLDP.

I refer to the current consultation on the RLDP and wish to raise my objection to your plans for a Retail Site in Llanmaes Village which is currently in the hands of the WG who are dealing with a Call-In which has been referred to PEDW.
I strongly object to the idea and support the report of the Planning Officer which REFUSED the building of a Supermarket on this site. In my opinion, suggesting that this area be included as a Retail site in the RLDP is changing the Planning Department’s view in making their decision. Llanmaes will, in May 2027, become part of a new rural ward made up with other Villages. It will be no part of Llantwit Major, I understood previously that you had highlighted a site within the Town boundary of Llantwit Major, but that idea appears to have been withdrawn.
May I suggest that of you are looking for a site, you investigate the site on the Eglwys Brewis Road where the old Naafi Shop stood for many years which belongs to WG. In my opinion this would be a perfect site as many houses have been build in that area with no shop in close proximity of these homes, and residents have to travel into St Athan Village or Llantwit Major.

Delete proposals to a retail allocation in the open countryside. Reinforce the town centre first principle policy for sustainable development

Allocation for out of town retail in open countryside is at total odds with the wider sustainability objectives and need to protect open countryside and sustainable access to town centres.
Including a retail allocation policy within the other policy of nominated "green wedge" is contradictory - if this should be protected from urban expansion it needs to be protected from delivery of town centre retail uses as well
The Retail Study already shows a high level of retained capacity of convenience retail spend in the local area and whilst there may be theoretical capacity for growth this needs much more detailed consideration as to location and sequential site test to concentrate such uses in and to support the core town centre which is by definition a far more sustainable/walkable and public transport focused destination.
The allocation policy is also premature whilst PEDW properly investigate the Council's poor control of planning policy by approving a non-compliant application against officers advice.

I strongly object to the development of this field which is a natural border between the rural settlement of Llanmaes and the town of Llantwit Major. Development in this open countryside area and next to the llanmaes conservation area is against Welsh planning policy, and coalescence of town and village should be avoided.
I support the proposal of a green wedge

The proposed development of this site as retail is currently being considered by Welsh Government under the Call In process - therefore presumably the outcome of that process will inform this decision.
In the hope that Welsh planning policy is correctly applied and this site is rejected for retail development, I would support it's inclusion in the green wedge application as it would make no sense at all to have any development embedded within the green wedge.
Therefore I object to any retail development here but support a green wedge

Development of this site will result in the physical and visual coalescence of the the town of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes. The site is outside of the RLDP's defined Strategic Growth Area and contravenes the Planning Policy of the Vale. The proposed large store is incongruous within the setting of the Green Wedge and would be a major and significant intrusion to the countryside. It is clearly detrimental to the Llanmaes Conservation Area.

The Green Wedge proposal should be adopted and should include the land that Lidl intends to build a store upon - Site ID 379 Proposal Number SP12 (2). The construction of a large retail outlet at that site is clearly incongruous with the other elements of the RLDP. Mr Byron Williams

Proposal number SP12(2) Objection: This will result in the visual and physical coalescence of the town of Llantwit Major and the village of Llanmaes, which is incongruous within the setting of the proposed green wedge, would be a major intrusion into the countryside and clearly detrimental to the Llanmaes conservation area. Proposal (DNP2(6) the green wedge, protects against intrusions into the countryside, protects the visual and physical coalescence of a town and village and protects the setting of the Llanmaes conservation area). Also, specific proposals are needed in the RLDP for a flood alleviation scheme for the village of Llanmaes.

Both of these sites lie within the conservation area of Llanmaes and should as such be protected from future development.

Site ID436 is currently an agricultural and recreational use area. Loss of this would be detrimental to the region and encroachment into this would effectively merge the village of Llanmaes into the town of Llantwit Major which would not be beneficial to the conservation area.

Site ID 379 is also within the conservation area and requires similar protection.

Llantwit Major Town Council considers that the five areas identified for the development of Llantwit Major and its immediate localities are appropriate for the future development of the town. The allocation of an area between the Northern Access road and the Eglwys Brewis Road as a major land bank enables future housing developments but we question whether the infrastructure will be appropriate. The land at the former Eagleswell School site should be reserved for health and social care facilities. We note the land between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes should serve as a green wedge and the provision of retail floorspace, both of which are appropriate. We also note that Site ID 424 sits partially within the Llantwit Major boundary and is appropriate for employment

Build it somewhere less dangerous

This retail structure is going to cause the village of Llanmaes to be ruined with traffic, views from houses and an extremely dangerous place for it to be built. The number of accidents that have already taken place at the traffic lights will definitely increase due to people seeing a sign for a retail outlet and not concentrating on the lights. It will also be very dangerous for pedestrians for the same reasons.

There should be NO retail floorspace occupying this site. Town Centres should be the focus for new retail space, not out of Town locations like this.

This would sit in the middle of the proposed green wedge - which would be a contradiction. This proposal would urbanise the open countryside and be the start of coalescence of Llantwit Major Town and Llanmaes Village, which goes against Welsh Government policies.

I object to Proposal Number SP12[2] for the following reasons:
This will result in the visual and physical coalescence of the Village of Llanmaes and the town of Llantwit Major.
The site is situated outside the RDLP's defined Strategic Growth Area.
The location is incongruous within the setting of the Green Wedge.
This large aesthetically displeasing store and supporting structures would be a major and significant intrusion into the countryside and would clearly be detrimental to the Llanmaes Village Conservation Area.

Reject the Lidl proposal.

Object Lidl proposal contravenes planning guidelines and Welsh Government policy.

Reject the Lidl proposal

This proposal contravenes Welsh Government planning guidelines and policy. It also contravenes the Council's Wellbeing Objectives set under the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

The town needs a large supermarket but not at this location. The road just before the lights is dangerous and narrow with several near misses every day as cars enter the village. Having a supermarket here would attract more cars and enhance the dangers

This area should be allocated as a green wedge to preserve the countryside and keep Llanmaes separate from Llantwit Major.

The approval of this application by the Vale Planning committee breaches many of the Vale and Welsh Government's own policies such as town centre first, place making and non-coalescence. It will open the doors to future development on green spaces if approved and change the character of the area beyond recognition.

I strongly OBJECT to this site being used. The site is situated outside of the RLDP's defined strategic growth area and not in keeping with the visual and physical coalescence between the small Village of Llanmaes and the Town of Llantwit Major. A large retail store located on a greenfield site, in a green wedge, next to the Llanmaes conservation area would be a major intrusion and cause an irreversible scar on the ancient surrounding countryside. Where retail store space is needed, surely this should be within WG town centre first policy, otherwise brownfield such as Llandow Trading Estate.

Please cancel this plan entirely for all the reasons above.

1) Visual and physical coalescence of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes.
2) Outside RLDP's defined Strategic Growth Area.
3) Incongruous within the setting of the Green Wedge>
4) Intrusion into the countryside
5) Detrimental to Llanmaes Conservation Area.

I would like the entire Lidl project to be completely overturned / declined!

Re Retail - Land at Bridge House Farm:
I object to ANY development on this land for the following reasons:
1) This will result in visual and physical coalescence of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes.
2) It is outside RLDP's defined Strategic Growth Area.
3) It is incongruous within the setting of the Green Wedge.
4) I would be a HUGE intrusion into the countryside, and for the residents of Llanmaes Village.
5) It would be detrimental to Llanmaes Conservation Area.

Explicitly exclude this site for a retail allocation

I object to this designation noting that it as a tentative designation pending a decision on a Called In Planning Application. Reasons for this objection include the resulting visual and physical coalescence of the Town of Llantwit Major and Village of Llanmaes. This site is also unsuitable for a large development on this scale as it is situated outside the defined Strategic Growth Area. The proposed supermarket will be highly incongruous within the setting of the proposed Green Wedge although we understand the reasons for this tentative allocation.The large store and supporting structures would be major and significant intrusions into the countryside and would be clearly detrimental to the Llanmaes Conservation Area as detailed and specified in its adopted Management Plan.

Reject the retail development and endorse the green wedge application to protect the village from sustained development proposals. These are very stressful for the local community as well as being extremely time consuming and expensive to oppose.

This proposed development is subject to call in by Welsh Government. The Planning Officer recommended refusal on the basis of impact on the open countryside. In addition, development here will irrevocably impact the village (and nearby town centre) and undoubtedly result in the coalescence both physical and visual of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes. This area is outside the strategic growth area. Further, it will fundamentally impact the conservation area and does not fit with the agreed management plan thereof.

THE STORE WOULD BE BETTER PLANNED BEING BUILT OFF THE NORTHERN ACCESS ROAD WHERE IT WOULD BETTER SERVICE THE RESIDENTS OF LLANTWIT MAJOR, ST ATHAN, LLANTWIT MAJOR AND COWBRIDGE BY WAY OF A MAJOR ROAD

I OBJECT TO THIS PROPOSAL ON THE GROUNDS IF IG WERE TO GO AHEAD IT WILL RESULT IN THE PHYSICAL COALESCENCE OF THE TOWN OF LLANTWIT MAJOR AND VILLAGE OF LLANMAES. IT IS ALSO SITUATED OUTSIDE THE RLDP'S DEINED STRATEGIC GROWTH AREA. THE LOCATION IS INCONGRUOUS WITHIN THE SETTING OF THE GREEN WEDGE, THE LARGE SETORE AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURED WOULD BE MAJOR AND SIGNIFICANT INTRUSIONS INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE AND, IT WOULD BE CLEARLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE LLANMAES CONSERVATION AREA

Remove allocation.

I am writing in response to the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) consultation regarding proposals affecting Llanmaes.

Green Wedge – Land between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes Site ID 436 – Proposal Number DNP2(6)

I would like to express my support for the proposal to designate the land between the Village of Llanmaes and the Llantwit Major Bypass as a Green Wedge. Maintaining this land as protected open space is important in order to:

- Prevent the visual and physical coalescence of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes
- Protect the rural setting and landscape character of the area
- Preserve the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area
- Safeguard countryside from incremental development pressures

Designating this land as a Green Wedge is a sensible and necessary planning measure to ensure the long-term separation and identity of the two settlements and to maintain the character of the surrounding countryside.

Retail Development – Bridge House Farm
Site ID 379 – Proposal Number SP12(2)

I would like to register my objection to the proposed retail development at Bridge House Farm.

The proposed store would represent a significant and inappropriate intrusion into the countryside and would undermine the purpose of the proposed Green Wedge. In particular:

- The development would contribute to the visual and physical coalescence of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes.
- It would introduce a large-scale retail building and associated infrastructure into a sensitive rural setting.
- The proposal would be incongruous with the landscape character of the area and detrimental to the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area.
- The site lies outside the defined Strategic Growth Area, making it an unsuitable location for this type of development.

For these reasons I strongly urge the Council to reject the allocation of this site for retail development.

Thank you for considering these comments as part of the consultation process.

Remove allocation.

I support the designation of the Green Wedge between Llanmaes and Llantwit Major (Site ID 436 – Proposal DNP2(6)). Protecting this land is important to prevent the visual and physical coalescence of the two settlements, maintain the rural character of the area, and preserve the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area.

I object to the proposed retail development at Bridge House Farm (Site ID 379 – Proposal SP12(2)). The scale and nature of the development would represent a significant intrusion into the countryside, contribute to the merging of Llantwit Major and Llanmaes, and be harmful to the landscape and the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area. The site is also outside the RLDP’s defined Strategic Growth Area.

For these reasons I urge the Council to support the Green Wedge designation and reject the retail allocation at Bridge House Farm.

I live in Llanmaes and three things affect us directly from the RLDP and I'd like to comment on all three, if I may.

The first is the proposed Green Wedge between Llantwit Major and Llamaes. I very much support this proposal and the Llanmaes Community Council and the vast majority, if not all of our village does too. It fits very well with the National Plans for keeping the integrity of our precious Welsh villages. It would keep Lllanmaes safe from development, as per the adopted Management plan.

The second is the proposed retail development at Bridge House Farm It is the set of the proposed Lidl development which has been Called in by the Government. This is totally out of keeping with national plans.

The third is the need for flood alleviation in Llanmaes, Again, this would be much needed.

I strongly object to this site being used. The site is situated outside the RLDP's defined strategic growth area and not in keeping with the visual and physical coalescence between the small village of Llanmaes and the town of Llantwit Major. A large retail store located on a greenfield site, in a green wedge, next to the Llanmaes conservation area would be a major intrusion and cause an irreversible scar on the ancient surrounding countryside. Where retail store space is needed this should be within the WG town centre first policy, otherwise brownfields such as the former RAF NAFFI complex.

To find another site that is more in keeping with a large store, its associated structures and resultant traffic.

I object to this designation due to these concerns: the coalescence of the village of Llanmaes with the town of Llantwit Major, the incongruity of a major urban structure sitting on a proposed green wedge which would dominate the view of the Llanmaes conservation area and countryside, and the potential of increased traffic through the village.

This plot was put forward in the previous LDP for a retail store, it was refused and the Planning Inspector agreed that development of this site would be against a number of planning policies - while I appreciate in the meantime an application was brought forward which the planning committee approved against advise of the planning officers - nothing has changed regard the issues with it being against planning policy.
While the local lobbying was for a Lidl store - the location is not suitable and to build against planning policy would set a precedent to future applications.
In addition the planning application was flawed with a number of important impacts particularly to traffic movements on the local area and the near by junction with the B4265 were not fully represented.

Conservation/Green Wedge Site ID 436. Proposal Number DNP2(6)
I fully support the adoption of this site as a green wedge between Llantwit and Llanmaes, in order to protect this area of rural land against urban encroachment and to prevent coalescence between the town of Llantwit ad the village of Llanmaes.
Retail - Land at Bridge House Farm Site ID 379, Proposal Number SP12 (2)
I completely disagree that this land should be used for retail purposes, because such a retail development would result in the very coalescence the community council seeks to prevent and would be out of keeping within the proposed green wedge.

As a resident of the village of Llanmaes for the last 37 years, I would like to make the following comments:
Flood Alleviation
There is a desperate need for not just a flood alleviation plan, but action to protect the residents of Llanmaes from the continuing effects of flooding in the area. More properties have been affected this year. Recently our own 400-year-old property, which has never been previously affected was subjected to a backlog of sewage from the main sewer in the road on which we live. Fortunately, a manhole on our drive gave way under the pressure, releasing water and sewage down the road. Otherwise, like other properties in the village we would be at risk of the property itself flooding with sewage.
I would call upon both the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Welsh Government to come up with a coherent, joined up plan and solution to this long running problem and implement it with urgency.
No building should be allowed in the village until a solution has been completed, there is too much risk to existing properties.
Retail - Land at Bridge Farm House site ID 379 Proposal Number SP12(2)
This proposed development, currently subject to a 'Call In' by the Welsh government is at clashing odds with the village and rural community setting of Llanmaes. The large store and supporting structures and developments would be significant intrusions into the countryside and would result in the physical and visual coalescence of a small rural village with the town of Llantwit Major. It represents a significant intrusion into the countryside, is at odds with the proposal of a green wedge to protect the rural setting of the village and would be clearly detrimental to the Llanmaes Conservation Area. It is outside the RLDP's Strategic Growth Area.
Green Wedge/Conservation. Land Between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes Site D436 Proposal Number DNP2(6)
I would strongly support the proposal for a 'green wedge' for the land between the village of Llanmaes and the Llantwit major bypass, but this should also include the land currently under proposal for the above retail development site. This would protect this land from further hostile development proposals, protect the intrusion into the countryside and the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area and protect the village against physical and visual coalescence with a town, protecting its rural and village character. It would protect the setting of the Llanmaes Conservation Area as per the adopted Management Plan.
I would be grateful if these comments could be duly noted and considered.