6. PREFERRED STRATEGY

1. Delivering a sustainable level of housing and employment growth to accord with the Vale's position within the Cardiff Capital Region.

2. Aligning locations for new housing, employment, services and facilities to reduce the need to travel.

3. Focusing development in locations that are well served by existing and proposed rail stations as part of the South Wales Metro and in areas with good bus links.

4. Allowing for small scale affordable housing led development in settlements outside the Strategic Growth Area at a scale proportionate to the size of settlement.

5. Supporting the role of Cardiff airport as a strategic gateway for international connectivity.

6. Allowing for regeneration opportunities, including at the former Aberthaw Power Station and Barry Docks.

Figure 13: SP4 KS1 Land at North East Barry initial illustrative plan

Figure 14: SP4 KS2 Land North of Dinas Powys, Off Cardiff Road, Dinas Powys initial illustrative plan

Figure 15: SP4 KS3 Land at Readers Way, Rhoose initial illustrative plan

Figure 16: SP4 KS4 Land at Church Farm, St Athan initial illustrative plan

Figure 17: SP4 KS5 Land to the west of St Athan initial illustrative plan

ACTIVE AND SOCIAL PLACES

PLACEMAKING

6.71 Placemaking is a cornerstone of the national planning agenda in Wales and the sustainable development objectives which underpin it. It is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of new development and spaces, as well as the protection and enhancement of existing assets. It is fundamentally about responding to the context of a place, through an understanding of its evolution, its functionality, and its impacts.

6.72 The Council is committed to the Placemaking Wales Charter and recognises Placemaking as fundamental in achieving the RLDP Vision. The purpose of Policy SP5 is to ensure that Placemaking is achieved by any new development through the application of the Placemaking Principles.

6.73 Placemaking is defined by the Design Commission for Wales (DCFW) in the Placemaking Guide (2020) as "ensuring that each new development or intervention contributes positively to creating or enhancing environments within which people, communities, businesses and nature can thrive". Assessing proposals for new development requires a holistic approach that takes into consideration whole places rather than individual land uses or each development in isolation. Placemaking relates to the built and natural environment and involves considerations at a high level, including climate change, down to local level such as impact on local character and cultural identity, including the impact on the Welsh language.

Figure 18: Placemaking Principles
Source: Design Commission for Wales

6.74 Implementation of the Placemaking Principles will ensure that well-being is maximised through sustainable development that promotes active and healthy lifestyles. The determinants of health and well-being, as set out under Policy SP12 Health and Well-being, must also be considered as a priority from the early design stage, and demonstrated clearly by development proposals. High standards of design will create attractive places with distinct local identity and a vibrant public realm offering accessibility for all, focused on hubs of mixed used development that is connected and well served by active travel and public transport.

6.75 The Vale is rich with local character, heritage and natural beauty which must be respected and enhanced by new development. Development proposals must demonstrate considerate design, which is sustainable, minimises environmental impact and responds visually to its surroundings. As well as vibrant and attractive, the public realm must be accessible and inclusive for all. Proposals for public realm improvements should consider measures to assist people with physical or sensory impairments.

6.76 New development within the Vale should contribute to places with a variety of uses, services and facilities, where people can live, work and enjoy. Housing developments must offer a range of housing types and tenure to accommodate a range of needs and be in sustainable locations where there is access to a variety of uses. A mix of uses helps to create places that are inviting and sustainable; offering positive interactions between people, businesses and the environment, and reduces the need to travel. Developing to high densities will make the most effective use of land, maximise development potential, improve connectivity and encourage active travel.

6.77 Multi-functional spaces include public open space, streets or mixed-use buildings which offer safe and welcoming space for people to interact, socialise, work, exercise or relax. Green Infrastructure should be integrated into public spaces to improve visual quality, add amenity value, encourage physical activity and interaction with nature as well as sustainable drainage and ecological benefits.

6.78 Development will be favoured where meaningful community involvement has been demonstrated. Engagement with local people where they have the opportunity to contribute to development proposals is valuable for placemaking as it creates a sense of ownership and belonging amongst communities.

6.79 Major development proposals must be supported by a Placemaking Statement to demonstrate clearly how proposals for new development will achieve placemaking. Placemaking Statements will explain the aspects of the development and measures taken to ensure that the proposal accords with the Placemaking Principles. Evidence should be included to demonstrate how each Placemaking Principle has been met.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

6.80 The health and well-being of our communities is crucially important to delivering long term sustainable development and placemaking. This includes physical, mental and social well-being. Key to the Plan is ensuring access to good quality services and facilities exists and that people of all ages and backgrounds receive the access they need to live full, productive and prosperous lives.

6.81 Planning and health need to be considered together in two ways: in terms of creating environments that support and encourage healthy lifestyles, and in terms of identifying and securing the facilities needed for primary, secondary and tertiary care, and the wider health and care system.

6.82 Policy SP6 seeks to ensure that development proposals promote health and well-being. Whilst many of the complexities of promoting health and well-being exist beyond the remit of the planning system, it is recognised that the quality of the environment that we inhabit and the activities that take place within these spaces have crucial impacts on them. The wider determinants of health (Figure 19) illustrate the relationship and interactions between the built environment and physical and mental well-being.

Figure 19: The Wider Determinants of Health
Source: Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) R: Barton and Grant (2006)

6.83 To ensure new development responds appropriately to health and well-being needs, and tackles health inequalities, a health in all policies approach will be followed. This ensures that new policy considers its health implications by seeking to avoid negative health outcomes and improving them where possible. This embeds health and wellbeing as a key policy issue throughout all relevant policies within the plan and is underpinned by Policy SP6.

6.84 Healthy Places and Spaces are those which incorporate a high standard of design that responds to health and well-being needs of all users and the placemaking principles; facilitate high levels of multi-modal accessibility for all journeys to necessary services and facilities; the provision of quality active travel infrastructure and open spaces, including sport facilities; the provision of green infrastructure and spaces for socialising, including spaces for growing food; and high-quality and appropriate housing accommodation. Ensuring these will guarantee determinants of health affected by planning are addressed positively.

6.85 Inclusive places are those that deliver equality of accessibility and opportunity, enabling everyone to participate fully in society and people to remain in their homes and communities as their needs change. Relatively small modifications can have a significant impact on the ability of people to enjoy their local area, such as incorporating appropriate lighting to reduce the fear of crime, providing places for people to rest and socialise. Careful design can ensure that places are welcoming for all generations, removing barriers that prevent people from meeting their needs or enjoying active lives.​ In this respect there is considerable cross over between health and wellbeing and the delivery of placemaking as set out in Policy SP5.

6.86 The availability of local healthy, affordable food is associated with improved attitudes towards healthy eating and healthier food purchasing behaviour, as well as changes to dietary behaviour, such as increased fruit and vegetable consumption. The provision of areas for growing food within new development offers the opportunity for individuals and communities to have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, contributing to healthy lifestyles and encouraging physical activity.

6.87 Additionally, gardening and food growing can also contribute to mental wellbeing and social inclusion, and provide economic, environmental, and educational benefits. Depending on the proposal, the incorporation of areas for growing could count towards the provision of on-site open space requirement. The provision of allotments is the most common way to provide informal opportunities for local food production. However, where there is limited scope to provide designated outdoor growing spaces, creative solutions should be explored. Such measures could include the planting of fruit trees, the provision of containers and raised beds within landscaping schemes, the creation of growing spaces within communal gardens, internal courtyards and roof gardens, or by utilising incidental spaces. In larger developments this could also include areas of land unsuitable for buildings.

6.88 Health inequalities exist across the Vale of Glamorgan, both spatially and between different population groups. Compliance with Policy SP6 will ensure that where possible these health inequalities are addressed. Data sets that identify inequalities include the Welsh Index for Multiple Deprivation^[6], and publications from Public Health Wales and Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board. These should be used to inform Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)

6.89 HIAs consider how the population will be affected by development, assessing both positive and negative health impacts. A key consideration of these is ensuring health inequalities are not increased by proposed developments. All development which falls under the threshold for undertaking a HIA, should still be designed to maximise the impact it can make to promoting healthy communities and reducing health inequalities. In these cases, where inequalities are identified, how a proposed development will achieve this should be set out in a planning statement.

6.90 HIAs will be required when assessing major developments (10 or more dwellings etc.) in order to consider their health implications. Guidance on completing HIAs has been produced by the Welsh Health Impact Assessment Unit^[7]. Further guidance on the requirements for HIAs will be set out with Supplementary Planning Guidance.

6.91 An important contributing factor to poor diet and health is in the distribution and access to Food and Drink Uses, such as hot food takeaways, cafes and restaurants with a takeaway service. This is of particular relevance in areas of deprivation. In some locations there is an issue where such uses cluster together, reinforcing the ease of and access to unhealthy foods. Consideration will therefore be given to controlling the proliferation of, and therefore access to, such uses within the Vale's existing retail centres.

6.92 A further role of the RLDP will be supporting the provision of health care facilities, and whilst the Vale of Glamorgan Council does not directly deliver healthcare facilities the Council does have a key enabling role. Working in partnership with the Cardiff and Vale Local Health Board provides an understanding of service capacity, changes in service delivery and the need for additional facilities, the RLDP can facilitate and identifying opportunities for new and improved provision.

6.93 In consultation with local healthcare providers who deliver health infrastructure facilities in the Vale, developers of large housing developments (or where there are cumulative effects from a number of smaller developments), should have regard to whether there is a need to deliver appropriate health care facilities. The need for healthcare facilities, or other health-promoting infrastructure such as segregated cycle lanes or leisure facilities, should be considered in-step with the demands from new development. This is particularly necessary for large sites that may be phased during which time the demands created from a development may change.

6.94 It is also essential that development proposals safeguard public health and well-being, including the potential risks arising from climate change. In achieving this, development proposals must demonstrate that they will not result in an unacceptable impact on people and residential amenity, including from varying forms of pollution.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

6.95 The Vale of Glamorgan benefits from good transport connectivity by both rail and road that provides direct access to strategic network. However, the network experiences congestion at peak hours, leading to delays and the Council recognise the need for improvements to public transport services and walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage participation in active travel (walking and cycling) especially for shorter journeys within and between the Vale's towns and villages.

6.96 A key part of our strategy is to locate development in areas which are or can be made sustainable by encouraging a mix of uses within a development, limiting the need to travel, wherever possible, and offering a genuine choice with the priority being on walking, cycling and passenger transport. By decreasing reliance on private car use, such land use patterns will also help mitigate the ever-increasing threat of Climate Change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

6.97 In light of the Sustainable Transport Hierarchy outlined in Planning Policy Wales (Edition 11) and the target included in Llwybr Newydd, the new Wales Transport Strategy 2021 for 45% of journeys to be made by public transport, walking and cycling by 2040, it is essential for the RLDP to include an ambitious strategic policy that addresses sustainable travel choices in the Vale of Glamorgan.

6.98 Policy SP7 sets out the plans approach for encouraging sustainable transport use, indicating that all new development proposals will be required to contribute to creating an accessible, sustainable, safe, integrated and well-connected transport network. This should be met both within and outside of the development area and proposals should demonstrate that transport provision associated with development proposals will be appropriate, both in terms of modal choice and the capacity of the highway network to accommodate additional trips for all modes.

6.99Active travel should be the natural first choice for everyday journeys and thus, all new development should prioritise walking, cycling and use of public transport at the earliest stages including how the proposal provides connectivity to existing areas and what opportunities are available for enhancing active travel connections. Developers should be able to demonstrate that transport provision associated with development proposals will be appropriate, both in terms of modal choice and the capacity of the highway network to accommodate additional trips for all modes.

6.100 It is also important that development is respectful of the existing scale and character of the area. The private vehicle requirements of the development should not have a significant adverse effect on the wider environment and the amenity of residents, such as through unacceptable levels of trip generation or result in displacement parking. Developers should be able to demonstrate that transport provision associated with development proposals will be appropriate, both in terms of modal choice and the capacity of the highway network to accommodate additional trips for all modes. If new developments are likely to have an adverse impact on the surrounding transportation network, they will be required to contribute towards improved capacity and mitigation measures.

6.101 New developments which are likely to result in significant transport impacts must be supported by Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans, as appropriate, to ensure the delivery of sustainable opportunities for travel in line with the latest Welsh Government guidance. A Transport Assessment provides detailed information on the likely transport impact of a proposed development and is submitted in support of a planning application; a Transport Statement is a lower level of assessment for smaller developments. Travel Plans are long-term management strategies for integrating sustainable travel proposals into the planning process and are often required where the proposal is required to be supported by a full Transport Assessment. The implementation of the Travel Plan will be secured as part of a planning permission.

6.102 The Council has adopted minimum parking standards within residential developments in order to overcome issues associated with low parking provision. In determining the right levels of parking, the Council will consider the anticipated demand from the type of housing proposed, the likely occupiers, the design of the public realm and highway, the proposed parking design solutions and any local restrictions.

AFFORDABLE AND SPECIALIST HOUSING

6.103 The delivery of affordable housing is a key objective of the LDP Strategy, with the relative strength of the Vale of Glamorgan's housing market over the last 10 years having resulted in many local people experiencing difficulties purchasing suitable housing on the open market.

6.104 The latest Local Housing Market Assessment (2021), published in January 2022, identifies that for the period 2021-2026, there is a need for 1,205 new affordable homes per annum. This comprises:

• 915 units of social rented accommodation
• 211 units of intermediate rented housing
• 79 units of low-cost home ownership

6.105 The existing backlog of need from people on the housing waiting list is most acute within Barry and Penarth/Llandough, although there are significant people on the waiting list across all areas of the Vale. Much of the need for affordable housing consists of smaller one and two-bedroom units for social rent across many parts of the Vale of Glamorgan, reflecting societal trends in household composition and the high prevalence of single person households and households comprising of couples with no children.

6.106 In March 2022, a new methodology for the preparation of LHMAs was published by Welsh Government with the requirement that emerging LDPs must now be based on the outputs of an LHMA prepared using the new methodology. The initial findings using version 3 of the toolkit (issued October 2023) indicate that there is a need for 1,121 net affordable homes per annum for the first 5 years of the plan period, and 204 homes per annum for the following 10 years. The need remains highest in Barry and Penarth/Llandough and the greatest need is for one and two bed social rented properties. It is intended that the final new methodology LHMA will be included as part of the evidence base for the Deposit Plan once signed off by Welsh Government.

6.107 To help address the need identified, the Council anticipates that the current land supply identified in SP3 together with new allocations will deliver a minimum of 2,000 affordable dwellings through the planning system over the plan period. The overall affordable housing target will depend on the viability of area specific targets and the spatial distribution of new and windfall sites and will therefore be revised for the Deposit LDP to take account of additional housing sites to be identified and to reflect updated viability evidence. Details on the affordable housing contributions from the existing housing land bank and those arising from the projected windfalls are set out in the Council's Housing Land Supply Background Paper.

6.108 The Council's Older Persons Housing Strategy Creating Homes and Neighbourhoods for Later Life 2022-36 sets out a vision in the Vale of Glamorgan Council which is: 'to secure the best quality of life for older people to live as independently as possible in later life. This means delivering a range of accommodation that enables older people to live fulfilling lives and enjoy good health in attractive homes that meet their needs and allow them to retain their independence as they age".

6.109 The strategy projects that by 2037 there will be a need for some 1,357 specialist age designated housing, retirement housing (for social rent and for sale) and housing with care (extra care housing for social rent and for sale). Highlighting the importance for the Council and its partners to address future housing needs associated with an aging population through the provision of appropriate housing solutions arising from a growing older population. To address this forecast need, the strategy identifies a range of mechanisms for delivery including the LDP which is seen to have a key role in encouraging private and social housing providers to develop a range of mainstream housing that is suited and attractive to older people.

6.110 For these reasons, both Strategic Housing Policies SP3 and SP4 make provisions for new housing developments to include specialist housing such as older persons housing as part of the overall mix with residential developments, including where affordable housing is sought through planning contributions.

6.111 Housing for older persons covers a spectrum of needs, from sheltered housing (where residents live mainly independent lives whilst sharing some communal facilities) through to extra care housing and care homes, where a level of personal health care is typically provided. In addition to accommodation largely related to the needs of older people, there are other types of adapted accommodation that provide for other health-related needs. These would also fall within the provisions of this policy.

6.112 Further details on the mechanisms for delivering specialist housing will be set out in the Council's Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance.

6.113 The Housing Act requires the Council to take account of the accommodation needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community through the preparation of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA). The latest GTAA was completed in June 2022 and has been submitted to Welsh Government for approval. The GTAA has identified a need for 9 residential pitches in the five-year period up to 2026 and a further 2 pitches in remainder of the Replacement LDP plan period, giving a total need of 11 pitches until the end of Plan period.

6.114 There are currently retrospective planning applications in respect of four pitches across two sites, which form part of the unmet need. If these applications are approved, the unmet need figure will be reduced. There may also be scope to accommodate extra plots at one of the sites that are currently unauthorised (to meet the additional pitch need as the occupants' children become adults). This would further offset the need.

6.115 Land will be identified to accommodate any unmet Gypsy and Traveller accommodation need in the Deposit Plan. The Deposit Plan will also include a criteria-based policy against which to assess applications for new or unexpected demand for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, including extensions to existing sites.

6.116 The GTAA also considers transit provision, recognising that there was a need for more transit provision in Wales, but it was identified there was no need to provide a transit site in the Vale based on current evidence. It is considered that transit provision is a regional issue and as such is being considered on a regional basis through the South East Wales Strategic Planning Group as part of the evidence base for the Strategic Development Plan.

RETAIL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE CENTRES

6.117 The role of traditional town centres as retail centres is changing and their future regeneration and revival will involve repurposing to create multi-functional 'retail, commercial and service centres' that meet the needs of the community they serve. To recognise the need to move away from the traditional retail role of Town Centres and in accordance with Future Wales Town Centre First Policy, Policy SP9 adopts a more flexible approach to non-retail uses to create a mix of retail, commercial, leisure, residential etc. To maintain the long-term viability and vitality of the Vale's retail centres the plan will seek to enable them to evolve into multifunctional centres containing a broad range of retail, leisure and services that function as places and spaced for socialising, working, studying and enjoying.

6.118 Development proposals in Centres will apply the Placemaking Principles in Policy SP5, ensuring that Centres are attractive, safe and welcoming. Centres will be accessible for all and prioritise sustainable transport; they will be well served by active travel infrastructure and public transport that connects to surrounding settlements.

6.119 Centres are considered as sustainable places to live and where appropriate could incorporate small new scale residential development through, for example the conversion of upper floors. They should also include multifunctional open green spaces to improve amenity, visual quality and provide environmental and health benefits.

6.120 Barry (Holton Road), Penarth and Cowbridge are identified as Town Centres at the top of the hierarchy due to their large number and widest range of retail, leisure and services. Town Centres play an important role in their provision of retail and services as they serve surrounding and wider communities, which are well connected by sustainable transport. The range and number of retail, leisure and services and the significance of their wider role increases as Centres move up through the hierarchy from Neighbourhood Centres, Village Centres, District Centre and Town Centre.

6.121 Policy SP9 will need to be considered alongside detailed policies seeking to manage edge and out-of-town retailing.

6.122 Retail provision within the Vale of Glamorgan is largely concentrated within Barry town centre and Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major district centres. These retail areas are characterised by a range of local and national retailers and serve relatively wide catchment areas. In addition, local and neighbourhood centres provide an important local service for their immediate catchment area and provide opportunities for reducing journeys by car.

6.123 The latest Vale of Glamorgan Retail and Leisure Study (June 2023) provides an updated quantitative need and qualitative assessment of both convenience (food), comparison goods (clothing, electronic items etc.) and town centre leisure uses such as bars, cafes, and restaurants across the authority. The study identified that over the plan to 2036 there is qualitative capacity for between 4,282 and 5,862 sqm net of convenience food retail floorspace and 432 sqm net and 679 sqm net of comparison floorspace. Spatially, the study identifies the potential need for additional need convenience food retailing within the retail centres of Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major which the report recommends would lead to potential improvements in the vitality and viability of these centres, whilst also recognising a general qualitative need for encouraging a diverse range of uses within the Vale's main town and district retail centres.

6.124 In considering proposals for additional convenience and comparison retail proposals the Council will consider how proposals contribute to national policy "Town Centres First" objectives to support diverse multifunctional centres that function beyond the traditional role of town shopping centers, expanding their role as places which offer opportunities to access range of shopping, commercial and leisure opportunities as well as places of employment, education, civic identity and social interaction.

INFRASTRUCTURE

6.125 Many forms of development place additional demands on services and facilities which will affect their ability to meet the needs of the community. The provision of new infrastructure, as well as the safeguarding, improvement and efficient use of existing infrastructure is central to ensuring that all new development proposed within the Plan period contributes to achieving the Plan's vision of creating sustainable communities. Timely delivery of necessary infrastructure that supports and mitigates the impact of new development is therefore essential to support our Spatial Strategy.

6.126 The quality, accessibility, and range of community infrastructure available to meet the needs of new developments is vital to the creation of sustainable communities. Policy SP12 sets out the requirements for ensuring all new developments in the Vale of Glamorgan are supported by appropriate services and facilities to meet their needs and the needs of the existing community, to create safe, sustainable, liveable, healthy and mixed communities. This may be through improvements to existing facilities or the provision of new infrastructure.

6.127 When considering the infrastructure needs generated from development, this will be considered against the type of development proposed, the local circumstances and needs arising from the development and what it is reasonable to expect the developer to provide considering the relevant national and local planning policies. Further information will be set out in the Council's Supplementary Planning Guidance on Planning Obligations. In addition, site specific community infrastructure is identified under relevant site allocations set out in Policies 4.1 to 4.5.

6.128 In most cases, the Council will encourage developers to provide facilities and infrastructure on site to serve the future occupiers of the development. Where this is the case, these 'in-kind' contributions will be considered when calculating the amount of any off-site contributions. Where a development is considered to meet all its needs on site and mitigate its impacts through sufficient in-kind contributions, it is unlikely that any additional financial contributions will be sought.

6.129 Where they satisfy the policy tests, (i.e., are necessary; relevant to planning; relevant to the development to be permitted; enforceable; precise and reasonable in all other respects), the Council will use planning conditions rather than Planning Obligations to secure the necessary community infrastructure required as a result of the development (Planning Policy Wales and Circular 16/2014 'The Use of Conditions for Development Management').

6.130 Section 106 agreements are voluntary and require the cooperation of the developer to be delivered. However, where a developer fails to show they can adequately mitigate the impacts of their development, either through planning obligations or other measures, it is likely that the application will be refused.

PRODUCTIVE AND ENTERPRISING PLACES

ECONOMIC GROWTH

6.131 The LDP seeks to adapt to changing economic circumstances in the Vale of Glamorgan and the changing nature of employment over time through the provision of a diverse range of new employment sites and safeguarding existing employment areas.

6.132 To ensure that sufficient land exists to meet local employment needs, the Council commissioned an Employment Land Study (ELS) (2022), to provide an assessment of the existing supply of employment land and employment areas, and to identify future employment land needs over the plan period within the context of the wider South East Wales region.

6.133 The study highlighted that the Vale's economic activity is primarily within the industrial and manufacturing sectors, which is focused spatially around 3 market areas which are Barry, Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan (St Athan) and the Rural Vale (primarily Llantwit Major, Cowbridge, Llandow and smaller rural diversification schemes).

6.134 In terms of future employment land need, the study has identified a need for 67.8ha of employment land over the plan period (including a 5-year flexibility buffer). Following an assessment of existing employment land within the Vale, the study concluded that there is sufficient employment land to meet the need over the plan period, and that this provision has the potential for supporting some 5,338 additional jobs over the plan period.

6.13 5 Policy SP13 sets out the spatial employment land provision for the Vale of Glamorgan over the plan period, consisting of a hierarchy of strategic and local employment sites which are well located to the 3 key employment market areas identified within the ELS, providing for flexibility and choice of to meet the Vale's employment land need over the Plan period.

6.136 To meet the projected employment land need of 67.8 net hectares, Policy SP12 makes provision for 168 net hectares, which reflects the existing available employment land supply within the Vale on April 1^st 2021. A large proportion of the existing supply is concentrated in the Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan Enterprise Zones and at Junction 34 of the M4, with additional land identified at local employment areas at Barry and Llandow.

Major Employment Allocations

6.137 The employment land hierarchy contains four strategic sites - Bro Tathan (St Athan) Aerospace and Business Park, land east of Cardiff Airport Business Park and land south of Port Road (Model Farm) which together make up the Cardiff and St Athan Enterprise Zones and Land to the South of Junction 34. Their position as major employment sites within the employment hierarchy reflects their importance as key areas of investment and employment opportunities within the Vale.

6.138 Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan are seen to offer significant opportunities for the development of aerospace and advance manufacturing, research and development and innovation within the Vale of Glamorgan, building on the existing skills base of Cardiff Airport, British Airways Maintenance Cardiff, and more recent development at Bro Tathan Enterprise Zone. Their importance to the wider region is recognised in Future Wales, the National Plan, which identifies Cardiff Airport as one of 4 Strategic Gateways to Wales (Policy 10), stating that:

"Cardiff Airport is an essential part of Wales's strategic transport infrastructure. It is an international gateway connecting Wales to the world and is an important driver within the Welsh economy. Cardiff Airport is located within the Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan Enterprise Zone which offers opportunities for investment in the site and surrounding areas. The Enterprise Zone offers a wide range of development sites and business accommodation, providing opportunities for the development of bespoke facilities or investment in existing accommodation" (Future Wales, page 82)

6.139 Land east of Cardiff Airport lies to the east of the Airport and the existing Airport Business Park and is adjoined by the A4226 to the north and Port Road to the south. The Welsh Government and the Vale of Glamorgan Council own most of this land, which is allocated as a mixed-use employment and training opportunities. The Council with Cardiff and Vale College are presently exploring potential development of a new Cardiff and Vale College campus for advanced manufacturing on 2.7ha of land to the south-east of the existing Airport Business Park and could house up to 2,000 students and staff. The Council wish to see the development of the remainder of the site for a commercial business park, potentially linked to the adjacent Model Farm proposals and a masterplan is currently being prepared for this.

Figure 20: Cardiff Airport and Gateway Development Zone
Source: Cardiff Airport and Gateway Development Zone SPG (December 2019)

6.140 Land south of Port Road (Model Farm) Rhoose is currently subject to an appeal for non-determination of an outline planning application for a B1, B2, B8 Business. If the appeal is allowed, the site is anticipated to deliver 1.7 million sq. ft of Class B1, B2 and B8 offices, light industrial and warehousing and distribution units, alongside car parking, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement works which include land for expansion of Porthkerry Country Park to the south (Figure 15). The site's proximity to Cardiff Airport and Bro Tathan alongside future aspirations of Cardiff and Vale College provides the opportunity to develop the area into a high-quality business cluster.

6.141 Bro Tathan East (St Athan) is located approximately 5 miles from Cardiff Airport, which together form the Welsh Government St Athan and Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone. Since its designation in 2013 as one of 6 Enterprise Zones in Wales investment from the Welsh Government at Bro Tathan has provided some 1200 new jobs and has seen the refurbishment of the existing MOD hanger and buildings, the development of 32 ha of employment land (Bro Tathan North) and a new northern access road as well as improvements to the B4265. Bro Tathan is now home to a diverse range of businesses in high technology sectors including engineering/ technology research (Cardiff University), specialist drone manufacturer, cyber security start-up business and vertical farming.

6.142 The 48.5 ha of land allocated under SP13.3 relates to the next phase of investment at Bro Tathan East zone which the Welsh Government has indicated will be ready for development in 2025.Reflecting the Welsh Government's continued aspirations to develop the Bro Tathan East into a high-quality mixed use business park. The Council's ELS indicated an absence of ancillary facilities available to those employed at Bro Tathan, accordingly Policy SP13 allows for the provision of complimentary ancillary uses to support those employed at Bro Tathan.

6.143 In addition to the land allocated, Bro Tathan is identified as an existing employment area, which will enable further opportunities for employment uses to be developed over the longer term.

Figure 21: Bro Tathan
Source: Bro Tathan Y Porth Development Brief (July 2020)

6.144 Land South of Junction 34, M4 is occupied by Renishaw PLC, who acquired the site in 2011. Its strategic position adjoining the M4 motorway presents the Vale of Glamorgan with the opportunity for development of strategic scale industrial and logistics businesses. Outline planning consent was granted in 2016 for up to 151,060 sqm of Class B1, B2 and B8 uses; a Hotel/Residential Training Centre (Class C1/C2); and up to 1,300 sqm ancillary uses within Classes A1, A2, A3; alongside 30.5 ha of green infrastructure. The proposals (Figure 17) include the expansion of Renishaw existing manufacturing in the 40,000 sqm of warehousing (2019/01421/RES, approved May 2021), and a 6.64 ha business park which will contribute to meet identified local employment needs (SP13.8).

Figure 22: Future Land Uses Land South of Junction 34, M4
Source: Planning application 2019/01421/RES

Local Employment Allocations

6.145 Local employment allocations comprise a further 28.85 hectares (net) of land for B1, B2 and B8 uses and are allocated to ensure that an appropriate range and choice of land is available to support local economic growth. These sites are generally located within or adjoining existing employment areas that support a variety of employment uses, and provide opportunities for local small enterprises and start-ups, enable established business to expand and are attractive areas for local business investment.

6.146 The maintenance of a land bank of sites, particularly where growth sectors can be accommodated, is vital to the success of the areas' economic development initiatives and investment. Therefore, proposals for alternative uses on the strategic and local employment site allocations identified in Policy SP13 for non-employment purposes will not be permitted to protect their status as important employment sites.

Employment Regeneration Opportunity Areas

6.147 Policy SP13 identifies two Employment Regeneration Opportunity Areas at the Former Aberthaw Power Station and the Operational Port of Barry Docks, which the plan considers as important areas for supporting the LDP objectives for Climate Change and Greening the Vale's economy, facilitating the growth in renewable and low carbon energy production and businesses.

6.148 Aberthaw Power Station has been acquired by the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) following investment of £38.4million and will see the former power station transformed into a Green Energy Park, which may include:

• The production of renewable and green energy projects.
• Battery storage facility to support the green energy projects.
• A zero-carbon manufacturing cluster, including green hydrogen production facilities.
• A green energy innovation centre to promote innovation, growth, knowledge, and community interaction with the zero-carbon future of Wales, and
• A bio-diversity ecology park which will include a visitor centre, providing amenities to the local community.

6.149 A Masterplan is currently being prepared by CCR Energy to inform the future development. The first phase of redevelopment will involve the demolition of the power station and remediation works which is expected to begin in 2023 and will take several years to complete.

Figure 23: Aberthaw Green Energy Hub Concept Plan

6.150 Port facilities are an important regional infrastructure and economic asset within the South East Wales region and are acknowledged as such within Future Wales which states that "Local Development Plans should consider the role of the ports locally, regionally and nationally and establish frameworks to support their operation and potential expansion". In the Vale, Barry Docks provides a valuable source of local employment and has been the focus of regeneration for Barry with the redevelopment of Barry Waterfront for housing, retail, and recreation.

6.151 No2 Dock, Barry Docks which is owned by Associate British Ports (ABP) represents the second stage in the regeneration of Barry Docks which shall focus on enhancing the docks' economic role for the future. The identification of the area as an Employment Regeneration Area is reflects vision and aspirations of ABP contained within its long-term strategy Future Ports: Barry which sets out its employment areas and operational port land at No2 Dock to 2035, which focuses on developing the port around low and zero carbon sectors alongside traditional marine related industrial uses.

Figure 24: Future Ports: Barry Docks Land Use Proposals
Source: https://www.abports.co.uk/media/up4dk5s3/20220726-abp-barry-port-vision-v1-1-web-format.pdf

6.152 Potential projects identified within the proposals include redevelopment of existing industrial areas within the operational port for low carbon energy cluster including green energy production, carbon capture facilities and hydrogen production, as well as enhance road and rail access. To adapt to climate change, new development in the port will also need to incorporate necessary measures to address flood risk.

6.153 It is hoped that the growth in the renewables sector at Aberthaw and Barry Docks will create new highly skilled jobs and significantly boost the economy. Accordingly, Policy SP13 supports the growth of these sectors alongside B1, B2 and B8 employment.

TOURISM

6.154 The Vale's coastal and rural setting, along with its rich culture and historic environment are valuable assets for tourism and leisure. Attractions such as the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Whitmore Bay, Barry Island and Penarth, as well as its location within the South East Wales region make the Vale of Glamorgan an attractive destination for day visitors, as well as those wishing to stay for longer.

6.155 The Vale's tourism assets provide a valuable source of local employment, employing over 2,000 people and generating some £203 million of visitor expenditure both directly and indirectly.

6.156 Policy SP14 seeks to support the provision of new and enhanced tourism facilities, whilst emphasising the importance for this to be undertaken in a sustainable manner, so that the natural and built tourism assets are maintained for the enjoyment of future generations. The RLDP will provide a policy framework which encourages new investment in appropriately located tourism, leisure and recreation facilities, and seeks to protect and enhance existing facilities, for the benefit of residents, visitors and the local economy.

CLIMATE CHANGE

6.157 The planning process in isolation cannot respond to the implications of climate change and the declared Climate Emergency, and there is a role to play for all sectors of society. However, it is imperative that outcomes of the process respond to these implications where possible. Policy SP14 seeks to achieve this by ensuring that new development mitigates the causes of climate change and adapts to its implications. Specifically, the causes will be mitigated by sensitively considering new development through placemaking processes and seeking to reduce emissions both directly and indirectly. Impacts will be adapted to by considering the implications of a warmer climate. This will require specific consideration in the design of schemes to consider whether they are appropriate given greater fluctuation in weather patterns, including more extreme weather events, as well as rising sea levels.

6.158 Policy SP14 covers the principal areas where the planning process can mitigate the causes and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Responses to the implications are, however, wide ranging and cover multiple planning fields, for example, green infrastructure, sustainable transport, and placemaking. Therefore, whilst SP14 covers key issues at a high level, further detail is provided throughout the Strategic Policies to ensure that the appropriate level of attention is afforded to issues associated with climate change. This is specifically the case in relation to promoting modal shift and siting new development in locations that will reduce the need to travel, which is integral to achieving the Strategy and reducing emissions from transport. Issues dealt with explicitly by Policy 14 are expanded upon below.

6.159 New development will have to consider whether there are opportunities for achieving higher sustainable building standards, including zero carbon, to respond to the implications of climate change. This means:

• Mitigation: Ensuring the design and construction of new buildings minimises carbon emissions, including through taking measures to reduce energy consumption; and
• Adaptation: Ensuring buildings are resilient to projected changes to weather patterns, including more extreme weather events. This would include flood resilience and considering overheating.

6.160 Criterion B prioritises the reuse of existing buildings in order to account for their embedded carbon. However, it is recognised that this is not always the most effective means of limiting carbon emissions, especially where a new building could have significantly greater sustainability credentials. Therefore, Whole Life Carbon Assessments^[8] can justify when it may be more appropriate to replace a building based by evidencing where less carbon may be emitted by replacing a building.

6.161 The Council is currently undertaking feasibility work to consider the implications of requiring new buildings to be zero carbon in their construction and operation. Once this is complete, the Council will be able to fully consider the economic viability impacts of requiring new buildings to be zero carbon in their construction and operation. In accordance with paragraph 5.8.5 of Planning Policy Wales, this work would provide the Council with robust evidence allowing us to bring forward standards higher than the national standards set out in Building Regulations. If this intervention were considered feasible, Policy SP14 would be updated at Deposit stage to reflect zero carbon requirements, and prescriptive supporting policy would be produced.

6.162 Policy 17 of Future Wales sets out that significant weight needs to be given to the need to generate 70% of Wales' electricity by 2030 from renewable sources, as well as other international commitments. A renewable energy assessment has been completed to identify how the Vale of Glamorgan can contribute to achieving this. The renewable energy assessment includes an identification of specific areas of search in the Vale of Glamorgan, where renewable energy development is least constrained. Further detailed policy will refer directly to the particulars of these specific areas. Having identified these areas and assessed the resource potential of the Vale of Glamorgan, a challenging but achievable target for renewable electricity energy production has been drawn up, as set out in the policy text. The feasibility of a heat network in Barry has also been considered, and the provision of this, as well as other sources of renewable heat energy, are facilitated by Policy SP15. Alongside local and regional partners a Local Area Energy Plan is being produced for the Vale of Glamorgan. This will identify pathways for decarbonising our energy system in line with national targets. The evidence produced from this work will inform the Deposit Plan and contribute to policy within it.

6.163 Areas within the Vale are at risk from flooding from both sea and rivers, and a Strategic Flood Consequences analysis has been carried out in collaboration with the other 10 south east Wales Local Authorities to consider this. Development proposals will have to ensure compliance with TAN15, to ensure development does not take place in locations with unacceptable flood risk. The Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) should be used as a material consideration to consider flood risk, and an updated TAN15 is expected to be published to accompany the FMfP in late 2023.

6.164 Predominantly, the flood risk from rivers is confined to rural areas. However, flood risk does exist to differing extents in Cowbridge, Dinas Powys and eastern Barry. Only some of these areas benefit from being within TAN15 Defended Zones, and there are other areas with no significant protection. From the sea, where flood risk exists in residential areas, namely Barry and Penarth Marina, these are included within TAN15 Defended Zones. Barry Docks and Aberthaw Power Station are at risk from tidal flooding and are not located within TAN15 Defended Zones. Therefore, further consideration will have to be given to the implications of flooding in these locations for development to be acceptable.

6.165 The southern coast of the Vale is susceptible to varying degrees of coastal erosion. Given this, varying policy approaches are recommended in the relevant Shoreline Management Plans^[9][10] dependent on whether a coastline abuts rural or urban land, and the context of the risk. Where development is proposed in proximity Erosion Risk Map^[11], relevant Shoreline Management Plans¹²and the Area Statement^[12] for South Wales Central. Development should be avoided where there is a risk of it being affected by coastal erosion over its lifetime.

6.166 As set out in paragraph 5.8.4 of PPW, an Energy Report 'should include recommendations to the developer relating to energy efficiency and appropriate renewable energy technologies that could be incorporated into the development.' Future applications should also be accompanied by responses to these reports from the developer. The preparation of Energy Reports for major developments will assist in setting out how proposed developments comply with the requirements of Policy SP15 and respond to the implications of climate change.

SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

6.167 The major streams of waste arising in the borough include municipal or local authority collected (including household); commercial and industrial; construction, excavation, and demolition; and hazardous. Waste management has changed significantly over the last twenty years in Wales with a major decrease in waste being disposed of to landfill and an increase in recycling.

6.168 In line with the national waste strategy 'Towards Zero Waste', the Council will consider proposals in accordance with a 'waste hierarchy,' which ranks waste prevention and management options based on what is best for the environment. The highest priority in the hierarchy is the prevention of waste in the first place. Following this, if waste is created, priority should be given first to preparing it for re-use, then recycling, then other recovery (e.g., energy), and last of all disposal (e.g. landfill or incineration without energy recovery).

6.169 Technical Advice Note (TAN) 21 on Waste indicates that consideration should be given to how proposals for waste covered by Article 16 of the revised Waste Framework Directive fit with the 'nearest appropriate installation' principle. This approach requires that waste should be disposed of or recovered in appropriate facilities close to where it arises to reduce the detrimental environmental impacts associated with the transportation of waste. The provision of an integrated and adequate network of waste management facilities in the Vale and the wider region is critical to this and to ensuring self-sufficiency.

6.170 Consideration must also be given to the circular economy within the context of new development, which aims to keep materials, products and components in use for as long as possible. This approach facilitates cost savings and accords with the waste hierarchy by reusing, repairing and recycling materials.

6.171 Future Wales identifies waste as a policy area that requires a coordinated approach as part of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) and consideration will be given to any emerging regional evidence as part of the plan preparation process. TAN 21 acknowledges that the Collections, Infrastructure and Markets Sector Plan provides a strategic assessment of waste, but monitoring will be required on a regional basis. The most recent Waste Planning Monitoring Report for South East Wales (April 2016) concludes that there is currently no need for additional landfill capacity within the region. In addition, the report advises that any new proposals for further residential waste treatment should be carefully assessed to ensure that overprovision does not occur within the region. As such, no specific need for new waste management facilities has currently been identified at a regional level.

6.172 As the Waste Planning Authority, the Council has a statutory responsibility for the collecting and disposing of municipal (household) waste and for land use planning control over waste management. The Vale is a member of Project Gwrydd, a partnership with four other local authorities (Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, and Newport) which have a long-term contract with Viridor Waste Management to treat residual municipal waste at the Trident Park energy from waste facility in Cardiff. There are two Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) in the Vale located at the Atlantic Trading Estate in Barry and at the Llandow Trading Estate in Llandow.

6.173 Atlantic and Llandow Trading Estates, as well as the operational port of Barry Docks, are considered appropriate locations for in-building waste management facilities. Atlantic Trading Estate has seen the recent development of a resource recovery facility, as well as a reuse shop on land adjacent to the existing HWRC. In accordance with the Vale of Glamorgan Recycling and Waste Management Strategy (2022-2032), there are proposals to replace the existing HWRC at Llandow with a new modern facility as well as develop a second reuse shop.

6.174 To provide further flexibility, the policy also identifies existing Class B2 'general industrial' and B8 'storage and distribution' employment sites, as being potentially suitable locations for additional in-building waste management facilities.

6.175 For open air facilities, the LDP seeks to facilitate their provision through the Policy by identifying suitable locations where such facilities may be acceptable and would not conflict with neighbouring uses.

6.176 Planning applications for waste management facilities will be considered against national planning policy and guidance and other relevant LDP Policies.

MINERALS

6.177 National planning requires local planning authorities to make provision for a minimum land bank of 10 years for crushed rock and 7 years for land-based sand and gravel throughout the full 15 years of a development plan period, and to promote the sustainable manage of aggregates.

6.178 The 2^nd Review of the Minerals Regional Technical Statement for the South Wales area was published by the South Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party (SWRAWP) in September 2020. Appendix B of the RTS includes specific recommendations and guidance for each Local Planning Authority. The RTS 2^nd review was subsequently amended by a policy clarification letter in November 2021, which indicates that the apportionment for the Vale of Glamorgan is 17.05 million tonnes of crushed rock over 25 years. There is an existing landbank of 18.73 million tonnes of crushed rock (as at 31^st December 2016), all of which relates to Carboniferous Limestone. There is no apportionment and no land bank for land-won sand and gravel. The report concludes that in view of the slight surplus of existing permitted crushed rock reserves and the lack of sand and gravel production in the Vale of Glamorgan, no further allocations are specifically required to be identified within the RLDP.

6.179 The Vale of Glamorgan forms part of the Cardiff City sub-region along with Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The latest position statement for this sub-region (July 2022) indicates that whilst most authorities in the region, including the Vale of Glamorgan, can meet their apportionment for crushed rock, there is a shortfall in two authorities. Options are currently being considered to address this, but the RTS2 indicates that where the shortfall cannot be addressed through new allocations or permissions, collaborative working with neighbouring authorities in the same sub-region would be required in order to transfer the required provision to other LPAs. This position will be updated in the Deposit Plan.

6.180 Although the Wharf at Barry Docks has not been used for landing marine sand and gravel since 2005 it is recognised that this is a potential supply route of sand and gravel resource into the region. The wharf site is therefore safeguarded on the Proposals Map and future proposals will need to consider the potential impact on the landing of marine sand and gravel at Barry Docks. The safeguarding of the wharf does not prevent its use to land other goods and does not affect permitted development rights.Railheads should also be safeguarded in order to provide a full range of sustainable transport options.

DISTINCTIVE AND NATURAL PLACES

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

6.181 Green infrastructure is a network of multi-functional green spaces, urban and rural, which can deliver a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. Green infrastructure has a potentially important role to play in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events, particularly extended heat waves. In addition, green infrastructure helps support biodiversity and makes an important contribution to the quality of the environment. Access to beautiful and well-maintained green spaces such as parks and gardens, country parks and wildlife areas, supports both physical and mental health and well-being.

6.182 The wide variety of natural landscapes, biodiversity habitats, green spaces, coastal and rural areas alongside the network of footpaths and bridleways within the area is considered as one of the reasons why the Vale is such an attractive place to live and visit.

6.183 Ensuring the enhancement of biodiversity, the resilience of ecosystems, and maximising green infrastructure provision are crucial in responding to both the declared Climate and Nature Emergencies. Policy SP17 seeks to achieve this by identifying where development proposals should protect, enhance, and maintain existing green infrastructure. It also seeks to ensure that green infrastructure provision is holistic and delivers the benefits of a wide range of functions.

6.184 A Green Infrastructure Assessment has been completed to facilitate a robust and proactive approach to enhancing biodiversity, increasing ecological resilience and improving well-being outcomes. This identifies key strategic opportunities where the restoration, maintenance, creation and connection of green features and functions deliver the most significant benefits. The Green Infrastructure Assessment will inform the master planning of sites allocated in the Replacement Local Development Plan, as part of the placemaking of these sites.

6.185 This policy should be read alongside SP19 on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience, which seeks to protect and promote connectivity. This will be achieved by retaining existing wildlife corridors and facilitating new linkages by taking advantage of site-specific opportunities. In attempting to identify opportunities, a site and its surrounding context should be considered. The site should also be considered in the context of the Green Infrastructure Assessment.

6.186 Delivering multifunctional green space is integral to delivering holistic green infrastructure and the intent of SP17 and the Green Infrastructure Assessment. Provision of multi-functional green infrastructure should create cohesive spaces that: allow for recreation and relaxation; promote physical and mental health and well-being; facilitate learning opportunities; support connectivity and wildlife habitat; manage water resources; mitigate and adapt to climate change; enhance local food production; and support heritage and culture. It can also play a major role in attracting economic growth and investment, increasing land and property benefits, promoting tourism, and increasing business productivity.

6.187 Nature based solutions can be a valuable tool in creating sustainable and resilient developments. Incorporating features such as SUDS, tree planting and accessible natural green spaces, can make a significant contribution to providing green infrastructure, supporting biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change and contributing to the creation of more liveable and sustainable communities. The Building with Nature Standards (BwN 2.0) provides a framework of best practice Standards that collectively defines a benchmark of good green infrastructure and how to deliver it. These standards provide a benchmark of good practice and should be applied to all development as a quality checklist, in a way which is proportionate to the nature and scale of the development proposed.

6.188 In delivering new and enhanced green infrastructure it is vital to co-ordinate infrastructure provision so that resources are used effectively. The Council'is currently preparing a Green Infrastructure Plan, which will set out the green infrastructure assets and the various partners involved in green space provision. It will contain a vision, background evidence, recommendations, and an action plan.

6.189 Development will be directed away from areas identified as having high ecological value, and these will be limits to where growth can take place in the Vale of Glamorgan. Green infrastructure and particularly areas of high ecological value should not be viewed solely as limits that constrain growth. Instead, it should be viewed as an infrastructure asset that can undergo growth itself, with the purpose of accelerating nature recovery. This will be achieved by taking advantage of the opportunities presented by existing green infrastructure and seeking to influence landowners to strategically manage it with improved provision in mind. The areas of high ecological value identified in the Replacement LDP will form the basis of this and land in proximity to these should be prioritised for maximising provision, in line with the Strategy set out in the Council's Green Infrastructure Plan.

NATURE CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY

6.190 The rich and varied biodiversity of the Vale of Glamorgan supports a wide range of wildlife habitats and species that are highly valued and contribute to the Vale's distinctive character and sense of place. These assets include sites and areas of European, national and local importance, as well as important landscapes, woodlands and an extensive coastline that includes the Vale of Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

6.191 Policy SP19 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience recognises the importance of the Vale of Glamorgan's natural assets and seeks to ensure that they are protected, maintained and enhanced not only for their intrinsic nature conservation value, but also for the wider social, economic and community benefits that they provide.

6.192 The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 introduced an enhanced biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty (Section 6 Duty) on public authorities in Wales. This duty requires that in the exercise of their functions, public authorities in Wales must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity by ensuring development does not cause any significant loss of habitats or populations of species and must provide a net benefit for biodiversity.

6.193 Development will therefore be required to demonstrate that a net benefit for biodiversity can be achieved. A net benefit for biodiversity can be achieved through a range of actions ranging from habitat creation and/or long-term management arrangements that enhance existing degraded habitats and improve the resilience of ecosystems. Benefits must be long term, measurable, demonstrable, and primarily on site. Biodiversity enhancements should be delivered following the step-wise approach of firstly avoiding, then minimising, with mitigation as a last resort for compensating any negative impact. Where it is not possible to achieve on-site mitigation and enhancement, off-site compensation must be provided to ensure a biodiversity net benefit.

6.194 Networks of natural habitats and green infrastructure provide a valuable ecological resource. They connect sites of biodiversity importance and provide stepping stones for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of species within the wider environment. To avoid fragmentation and isolation of natural habitats, such networks should be protected from inappropriate development and where possible enhanced. The Council's Green Infrastructure Assessment identifies the green infrastructure provision within the Vale of Glamorgan and contains a vision, recommendations, and action plan of how green infrastructure within the Vale can be extended and enhanced.

6.195 Sensitive design and choice of location of new development can have a positive effect on the Vale's built and natural heritage. Similarly, new development will be required to minimise its impact on natural systems, landscapes, species and habitats and where appropriate provide opportunities for the creation of new habitats or the sensitive enhancement of existing habitats.

6.196 Policy SP19 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience is supported by SP11 Community Infrastructure and Planning Obligations and SP17 Green Infrastructure. These require new development to provide new community infrastructure including Green Infrastructure and features that support biodiversity enhancement and to incorporate Green Infrastructure respectively.

Appendix 1 – Existing Land Supply - Sites with planning permission including sites under construction – 1st April 2023

Appendix 2 – Rolled Forward adopted LDP Sites

Appendix 3 – Key Housing Sites

Key Settlement – Barry

A3.1 During the adopted LDP period, a significant proportion of new housing and accompanying facilities proposed for Barry have been developed on the large brownfield regeneration site at Barry Waterfront, which was identified as a mixed-use strategic site in the LDP. The housing part of this scheme is now nearing completion, although there remain development opportunities on the Waterfront for other uses, including land identified for a potential college campus.

A3.2 An Urban Capacity Study (UCS) has been prepared to consider potential development sites within the existing defined settlement of Barry. The UCS has demonstrated that there are no other sites suitable for housing likely to become available on previously developed land of a similar scale to the Waterfront, although there are a number of infill and redevelopment opportunities that may be acceptable in principle as windfall sites over the RLDP plan period. It is therefore the case that for Barry to accommodate a level of growth commensurate with its position as a Key Settlement in the settlement hierarchy (as identified in the Settlements Appraisal Review Background Paper) it will be necessary to consider a sustainable extension to the settlement.

A3.3 The Spatial Options Background Paper identifies that Barry is constrained by flooding to the south of the town, landscape constraints to the north, and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land to the east. Having regard to these constraints, opportunities for sustainable growth beyond the existing settlement boundaries of the town are limited.

A3.4 Through the candidate site assessment process, a key site has been identified to the North East of Barry (SP4 KS1) on an area of primarily low agricultural land. The 71.1 Ha site could accommodate up to 1,500 dwellings, although it is anticipated that only 900 dwellings would be anticipated to be delivered within the RLDP plan period up to 2036. There would be a requirement for a minimum of 30% affordable housing (300 units), with the site making an important contribution in delivering affordable housing in one of the areas with the highest need.

A3.5 In line with the sustainable growth strategy, a development of the scale proposed in this location in North East Barry would allow new housing to be aligned with employment, services and facilities to reduce the need to travel. The proposed site would encompass a range of uses including a primary school and a new village centre with uses such as cafes, retail and workshops/co-working units. A gateway building is also proposed at the entrance to the site, which could incorporate a mix of uses that not only serve the site but also the adjoining Pencoedtre Village Estate. In addition to the mix of uses on site, a supermarket is already located at the entrance and a secondary school is located directly south. Further consideration will need to be given to what is a viable and appropriate scope and mix of non-residential uses.

A3.6 Another key element of the strategy is to focus development in locations that are well served by existing and proposed rail stations and in areas with good bus links. Barry is well served by the rail network with four stations and 4 services an hour to Cardiff. Travel time isochrone maps prepared by Transport for Wales indicate that this site is currently within a 15-minute cycle of Cadoxton station and the southern-most part of the site is within a 20-minute walk.

A3.7 It is recognised that the site is adjacent to the A4231 Barry Docks Link Road. However, there will be a requirement for the delivery of significant Active Travel improvements to enhance connectivity with the surrounding area. This would include the provision of a pedestrian and cycle lane on the A4321, linking to both the existing Active Travel route along Port Road to the north and the Cardiff Road roundabout to the south. Such an improvement would offer significant benefits in the provision of Active Travel routes serving the town and wider AT network. Furthermore, there are proposed improvements to provide safe pedestrian and cycle routes from the site to Cadoxton station through the existing residential area, and at the station itself where secure cycle parking and improved pedestrian access into the is proposed.

A3.8 Highway improvements associated with the development of the site would include the removal of the roundabout at the site entrance (Gilbert Lane) and its replacement with a signalised junction with prioritised cyclist and pedestrian crossings, which will improve connectivity with the housing estate opposite by sustainable modes of travel. In addition, a bus loop is proposed to serve the site, linking to existing services in Barry where feasible.

A3.9 The site adjoins two areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Barry Woodlands. The SSSIs will be protected through appropriate buffering. A specific opportunity exists to enhance ecological connectivity between the currently divorced parcels of the Barry Woodlands SSSI, to the north of the site. The south of the site is primarily wetlands and this provides a significant opportunity for multifunctional green infrastructure, including water management, biodiversity enhancements and engaging public amenity space. In addition, the site will need to provide multi-functional green infrastructure, including playing fields.

A3.10 A context plan has been included at Figure A1 and a high-level initial illustrative layout is set out in Figure 13. This will be refined through the masterplanning process and at Deposit stage further detail including the key placemaking principles for each site will be defined.

Figure A1 Land at North East Barry Context Plan

Service Centre Settlements – Cowbridge, Penarth, Llantwit Major

A3.11 The settlements of Cowbridge, Penarth and Llantwit Major have all been identified as service centre settlements, informed by the Settlement Appraisal Review, reflecting their role in providing a range of services that provide for the daily needs of their residents and acting as important hubs for those living in nearby smaller settlements. Penarth and Llantwit Major are well served by the rail network, with Penarth having 3 stations (Penarth, Dingle Road and Cogan). Cowbridge does not have a station but has good bus connectivity with Cardiff and Bridgend and is considered to be a highly sustainable settlement with a range of services and facilities.

A3.12 Each of the Service Centre Settlements have large adopted LDP allocations that are either under construction or are realistically likely to be developed within the RLDP plan period. In Cowbridge, the allocation at Darren Farm, comprising 475 dwellings, is currently under construction. The development is not due to be completed until several years into the plan period. This site, together with two other allocated housing sites in the town that are subject to planning applications or pending the signing of a Section 106 agreement, will provide the majority of the town's future market and affordable housing. As a result, it is not considered that the town requires any further larger 'key' allocations. Smaller scale developments in sustainable locations may be acceptable if a need for such uses is identified.

A3.13 The Upper Cosmeston Farm site in Penarth is key to the future growth of the settlement for market and affordable housing. The 576 dwelling allocated site is currently subject to a planning application and is considered realistically likely to be delivered. As the site is Welsh Government owned, it will deliver 50% affordable housing. In addition, there are several smaller schemes either with planning permission or under construction in Penarth. Due to its coastal location and other constraints, development opportunities are limited. The Urban Capacity Study considered potential sites in the Penarth area and whilst there are a number of sites that could potentially be brought forward as relatively small-scale windfall sites, there are no other significant opportunities within the town.

43.14 Land is allocated for housing between the northern access road and Eglwys Brewis Road, which would serve the Llantwit Major housing market. The site comprises three parcels, two of which have planning permission for housing, (pending s106) and the third is considered realistically likely to be delivered. Collectively, the three parcels would deliver 415 dwellings, which is a site commensurate to the role of the town of Llantwit Major.

Primary Settlements in the Strategic Growth Corridor

A3.15 The primary settlements of Dinas Powys, Rhoose, St Athan, Llandough (Penarth) and Sully are identified within the strategic growth area and are therefore areas where sustainable levels of development could be acceptable.

Dinas Powys

A3.16 Dinas Powys is the best served of the primary settlements in terms of the rail network with stations at Eastbrook and Dinas Powys, and Cogan station also within reasonable walking distance. The settlement scores highly in the Settlement Appraisal Review due to the number of services and facilities in the area.

A3.17 Land has been identified at a key site to the North of Dinas Powys (SP4 KS2). The site is 12.7 Ha and could accommodate up to 250 dwellings, with a minimum of 40% affordable housing.

A3.18 The site would accord with the strategy, as Transport for Wales maps show that Eastbrook station is at maximum a 10-minute walk from the site. It is also well related to services, facilities and employment opportunities, with primary schools, a GP surgery and local retail provision located in the village and Llandough Hospital in close proximity to the site. Access to the site would be off a new signalised junction from Cardiff Road, which will require the reconfiguration of the road to incorporate a waiting lane and improved Active Travel links. Active Travel links from the site to Eastbrook station, local schools and connections to facilities within Cardiff will be required.

A3.19 A multi-functional green infrastructure corridor is proposed through the north of the site and the allocation of this land would provide the opportunity to enhance existing and create new ecological habitats, which surround the site. The introduction of varying habitats would also be achieved through the provision of SuDS.

A3.20 A context plan has been included at Figure A2 and a high-level initial illustrative layout is set out in Figure 14. This will be refined through the masterplanning process.

Figure A2 Land to the North of Dinas Powys Context Plan

Rhoose

A3.21 The primary settlement of Rhoose is well positioned on the Vale of Glamorgan line with an existing station in a central location within the village, offering hourly (soon to be twice-hourly) connections to Barry, Cardiff and Bridgend.

A3.22 Rhoose has a number of facilities, including two primary schools and local retailing, and is also a location where housing could be aligned with existing and future employment opportunities, given the proximity of the site to Cardiff Airport and the Enterprise Zone, as well as the proposed Aberthaw Green Energy Park.

A3.23 A 450 dwelling scheme is identified on land at Readers Way on a 29.3 Ha site, with a minimum of 35% affordable housing. The site will be residential led with the potential for an element of mixed use. The site is currently within a 20-minute walk from the station and active travel links will be improved to connect the site to the wider area.

A3.24 It is recognised that the site is in close proximity to the airport runway so to mitigate against any amenity issues, the masterplan proposes housing on the western part of the site, with the eastern part wholly for green infrastructure improvements, providing an opportunity to achieve strong multifunctionality and connectivity. Indicatively, this includes the provision of space for food growing. Other small scale mixed uses are also identified.

A3.25 Readers Way Pond is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) is located 50 metres to the south of the site. Opportunities exist to improve connectivity from this feature to the improved green infrastructure provision along the eastern boundary of the site.

A3.26 A3.10 A context plan has been included at Figure A3 and a high-level initial illustrative layout is set out in Figure 15. This will be refined through the masterplanning process.

Figure A3 Land at Readers Way, Rhoose Context Plan

St Athan

A3.27 The adopted LDP identifies St Athan as a Strategic Opportunity Area, recognising the opportunities derived from the Bro Tathan Enterprise Zone and the development of the Northern Access Road alongside housing to support this role. Bro Tathan has successfully attracted a number of businesses providing employment, and several allocated housing sites have been brought forward.

A3.28 The RLDP strategy continues to seek to align housing and employment and with the development potential that remains at Bro Tathan, as well as the proposed Aberthaw Green Energy Park, St Athan remains a key part of the strategy.

A3.29 The Preferred Strategy also seeks to focus development around key sustainable transport nodes. A feasibility study for a station in St Athan has been undertaken, which identifies that a new station could be located in St Athan, subject to further investigation work. The allocation of two key sites in close proximity to the preferred site for a station would help support the business case by ensuring there is a sufficient critical mass of people living near the station to support its patronage.

A3.30 Two residential led sites have been identified as key sites in St Athan, reflecting its potential to align jobs and housing. Land at Church Farm (SP4 KS4) comprises land to the east of the settlement, which is allocated in the adopted LDP for housing, together with an adjoining parcel of land. Collectively, this 24.6 Ha site is anticipated to deliver between 250 and 550 dwellings. The site is proposed to be accessed of Gileston Road.

A3.31 The provision of a large area of green infrastructure in the south east of the site, provides a significant opportunity for multifunctionality and indicatively includes Active Travel connectivity from St. Athan to the access to the Aberthaw Green Energy Park site. Allocation of this site would provide the opportunity to enhance existing and create new habitats, which surround the site. The introduction of varying habitats would also be achieved through the provision of SuDS.

A3.32 The second key site is proposed at Land West of St Athan (SP4 KS5). This 28 Ha site is proposed for a residential led scheme. In addition, an additional parcel of land within the same ownership located to the east is identified as the preferred location for the proposed station, alongside a commercial use.

A3.33 The provision of sensitive landscaping to compliment the heritage assets to the north of the site is required. Allocation of this site would provide the opportunity to enhance existing and create new habitats, which surround the site. The provision of a large area of multi-functional green infrastructure in the north east of the site, including playing fields and Active Travel connectivity into St. Athan is required.

A3.34 Both sites will be required to deliver a minimum of 35% affordable housing. Consideration will also be given to how the provision of new sites in St Athan can contribute towards educational needs in the Western Vale area.

A3.35 Context plans have been included at Figure A4 and A5 and High-level initial indicative layouts are set out in Figure 16 and 17. These layouts will be refined through the masterplanning process.

Sully

A3.36 The adopted LDP allocates a significant housing site comprising 515 dwellings across two phases. Both phases have the benefit of planning permission and as of 1^st April 2023, 308 units had not been started. The delivery of housing on this site will support Sully's role as a primary settlement.

Llandough (Penarth)

A3.37 Planning permission has recently been approved (pending s106) on a site between Llandough and Penarth and a further allocated site of 40 dwellings is currently under construction. These existing sites will support Llandough's role as a primary settlement.

Figure A4 Land at Church Farm, St Athan Context Plan

Figure A5 Land West of St Athan Context Plan

^[6] Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation | GOV.WALES

^[7] WHIASU HIA guidance: HIA_Tool_Kit_V2_WEB-1.pdf (phwwhocc.co.uk)

^[8] The RICS Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment: how, why and what next? | Journals | RICS

^[9] Swansea and Carmarthen Bay Coastal Engineering Group (southwalescoastalgroup.cymru)

^[10] SMP2 Main Document – Severn Estuary Coastal Group

^[11] Coastal Erosion Risk Map (naturalresources.wales)

^[12] Natural Resources Wales / South Central Wales Area Statement