Plans Approved for Affordable Housing Despite Concerns from Councillors

Plans to build affordable housing in the rural Vale were approved despite concerns from some councillors over its proposed setting in the countryside.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning committee voted in favour of giving the go ahead for seven homes to be built on land at Moat Farm in Llysworney near Cowbridge.
The development will provide five two bed homes and two one bed homes in the area.
A number of Conservative councillors at the planning committee, which met on Thursday September 7, argued that the area lacks the amenities and infrastructure to support those wishing to move to the area.
One of Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning policies, called Policy MD10, allows the development of affordable housing in the countryside provided that several criteria are met, including that there is an existing housing need in the area.
A planning consultant representing Llysworney residents at last week’s meeting, Robert Hathaway, said the village lacks local services and that future occupiers of the development would risk being socially and economically isolated.
He said: “Parked cars are already a concern which will only be exacerbated by the development.”
It is hoped that the construction of these affordable homes will help reduce Vale of Glamorgan Council’s housing waiting list.
Local community councillor and resident, Cllr Jannette Shaw, said: “This is no justification for building new social homes under the exception policy which are not where those with the highest priority need or want to live.
“No demonstrable need from those with a local connection have been shown.”
However, a planning agent highlighted that there are a total of 23 households on the waiting list in Llandow, where Llysworney is located.
Representing the applicants, Castell Group Castell Construction Ltd, at the meeting, Liam Griffiths, said the proposal will directly address the need for housing in the area.
He added: “The site is circa 3.8km from the centre of Cowbridge which is identified as a serious settlement in the LDP alongside Penarth and Llantwit Major.
“Only Barry is considered to be a more sustainable location.
“There is therefore reasonable access to community services and facilities in nearby settlements, namely Cowbridge.”
A member of the planning committee, Cllr Charles Champion, was not convinced that the proposed location was right for affordable housing.
He said: “I really don’t think it is an appropriate site for social housing. It is very isolated.”
Cllr Ian Johnson, who voted in favour of the development, noted that the proposed site is a brownfield site that is ripe for development.
He said: “If you saw this kind of site anywhere else within the Vale of Glamorgan you would anticipate that it would be used for some productive purpose.”
Another member of the committee, Cllr Sandra Perkes, said: “If there are 23 people looking for affordable housing within that area, seven properties is an actual godsend for us.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​