I would like to express my objection to development of the proposed Bryn Melin site 370.

Environmentally I feel this is an inappropriate area to develop. The site (and adjoining sites 475/514) are within the Thaw valley designated special landscape area which should be protected.
Development here would destroy the character of the area and significantly impact negatively on the biodiversity and the natural lived experience of the people within Cowbridge. This is against the vale of Glamorgan’s goals to respect landscape a resource, respect scenic quality of an area, respect unspoilt character and integrity, respect the sense of place created by landscape and to conserve these attributes. The valley and the fields, the view, the sense of open space, the footpaths that people can use to walk and enjoy being in nature right next the Cowbridge town are all integral to the sense of character and place of Cowbridge. This section of the valley currently stands alone as a natural vista, and does not have encroachment of suburban development. It is enjoyed by so many. You stand in it and look out, you walk through it, and you can be entirely in the countryside. This is a significant characteristic of a rural town such as Cowbridge and losing this here will represent suburban creep and destruction of this natural character. These attributes would be ruined by development here. I believe other proposed sites such as sites 455 and 367 are better suited to development as these areas are already partially suburbanised and do not have the unspoilt rural views/space/character that the bryn melin and associated sites do.

Ultimately, there is no development currently on the Bryn Melin site, whereas there is already some development within the area of the sites 455 and 367.

Functionally I also have significant concerns about development of Bryn Melin site 370 and the adjoining sites 475 and 514. The transport infrastructure is not supportive of housing here. The St Athan road is small, windy, dangerous with no footpath. There is no public transport within easy walking distance. Amenities are also not within safe or easy walking distance and will necessitate people driving into Cowbridge. This is completely against the Vale’s own goals and ideation when it comes to sustainable and appropriate development. Conversely sites 455 and 367 are well connected with safe easy walking routes into the town centre, and access to public transport.

The site at Bryn Melin is also very steep which environmentally and socially is not a good characteristic for development. The slope is 12% and there is poor access. Again, the sites proposed at 455 and 367 appear more suitable for development with better developed access to the local amenities.

Cowbridge Town Council unanimously rejected the inclusion of Site 370 in the RLDP on 24/02/2026
As outlined in the Cowbridge Placemaking Plan, local identity, sustainable growth, and protection/enhancement of town character, public spaces and the town-edge environment is incredibly important.
Building on these sites in this unspoilt valley is contrary to these principles and undermines local placemaking desires. There must be sites that are more coherent with the ideals and values of the area?

I would like to object to the development of the Bryn Melin field (site 370 and 475).
I would like to object to houses being built here because I really like walking and playing in the field with my family. I also like the amazing view out across the field and all the other fields. At night time there is very little light and you can see lots of stars. I’ve even seen some shooting stars. During the day time I’ve seen a peregrine falcon a few times so I think he must live in the area. I would be so sad to lose my friend and the lovely space he flies around in. We walk across and down the St Athan road when we walk to st Hilary, and that bit of road always feels really dangerous. It is tight and bendy , there is no footpath, and you can’t see the cars coming. This would be really bad if lots of cars were driving there because of lots of new houses. There are no buses that people could use and the road is very steep. It doesn’t seem like a good place for lots of new houses. It’s a special place where there’s lots of wildlife and you can feel like you’re just in the countryside. There must be somewhere better to build the houses on.

I would like to object to the development of the Bryn Melin field (site 370 and 475).
I would like object to houses being built here because I love walking in the fields and seeing the wildlife. I’ve seen a kingfisher and there’s an owl who lives there too. And lots of other wildlife. The fields are very peaceful and I love the view. I don’t get why you’d build on the field, it would really spoil the countryside. There aren’t any houses or buildings there at the moment and I enjoy the stars at night time because it is much darker than in the town. The road at the bottom is very twisty and there are lots of blind bends. I’ve done road safety with school and it isn’t a safe road for people to walk on, and isn’t a big road for lots of people to be driving on. It doesn’t seem very good for lots of houses to be using. Please find somewhere else.

Access too dangerous. Do not put in LDP.

I would like to object to the development of the Bryn Melin field (site 370, and adjoining sites 475 and 514)
This site is not as well suited as alternative sites (such as 455 and 367), and directly contravenes the placemaking goals and priorities of the area.
The site is within the thaw valley designated special landscape area and has uninterrupted views and access to nature. There is currently no development/suburban creep in this vicinity and developing here would destroy that. Other alternative sites (eg 455 and 367) appear better suited as they are already adjacent to suburban sprawl.
I am also particularly interested in astronomy. This area of Cowbridge, as it is a valley with no development, has significantly less light pollution than other more suburbanised areas. This is a valuable and a relatively rare resource so close to a town. Development here would destroy this.
I also do not feel the site is appropriate for a housing development. The site itself is very steep and the St Athan road is steep, narrow, with blind bends and no footpaths and no public transport. There is no easily accessible local access to jobs/amenities. Other sites (e.g 455 and 367) seem better suited to development as they have better access/transport links and already have adjacent suburban sprawl.
Please retain this site within open countryside and protect it for people to enjoy, for the wildlife and diversity that currently lives there, and to maintain the character of the area.