Yesterday, Bridgend Council’s planning committee held their monthly meeting – which was webcast.
The main item of business was the decision, delayed from August, on the Pentre Felin development at Tondu (pdf).
Road congestion the main concern
From the outset, the committee was reminded this was a reserved matters application. That means it refers only to the detailed plans, not the principle of the development itself – which was granted permission in 2018.
While further details were still to be agreed, a planning officer added that the mini bypass – which will include appropriate walking and cycling facilities – would provide enough traffic capacity to handle the new development.
The present two sets of signals being close to each other causes delays and the findings of an independent transport assessment prove the bypass and junction improvements would increase traffic capacity and improve traffic flows.
Traffic and road safety proved to be the main point of scrutiny. Cllr. David Lewis (Lab, Sarn) said the “damage was done two years ago” when outline consent was granted, so it was difficult to go back on that. Since then traffic problems have become worse.
Cllr. David Edwards (Ind, Maesteg East) said the entire Llynfi Valley was reliant on this road and the roundabout would mean people travelling from the direction of Maesteg could be constantly giving way at the Lidl roundabout. This pinch point could put prospective investors off.
Cllr. Nicole Burnett (Lab, Morfa) countered that basing objections to new developments solely on traffic problems and congestion could itself deter investment further up the Llynfi Valley, such as the Ewenny Road site, because it would set a precedent.
On general road safety, Cllr. Amanda Williams (Ind, Coity) wondered whether there were any genuinely safe routes to school?
An officer pointed to safe routes from Pentre Felin to Aberkenfig/Tondu Primary (via a railway underpass). Money has been allocated for safe routes to school generally. Facilities for pedestrians and cyclists near the Tondu junction would also be improved.
On non-traffic matters, Cllr John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla) said he has more faith in Llanmoor Homes commitment to open space compared to other developers, but the development likely meets the threshold for an equipped playground (0.25 hectares per 1,000 population) and he wasn’t convinced that was being provided.
Planning officers were confident the development meets open space requirements given its close proximity to woodlands and Parc Slip, with a timetable for installing play areas added to planning conditions.
At the request of Cllr. Roz Stirman (Plaid, Llangeinor), a recorded vote was taken.
As the meeting was hosted via Skype, they had to vote one-by-one. Usually, you don’t get to see who votes which way – so this is unique. In no particular order:
For (9): Cllr. Carolyn Webster (Con, Newcastle), Cllr. Matthew Voisey (Con, Oldcastle), Cllr. Ken Watts (Ind, Newton), Chair – Cllr. Gary Thomas (Lab, Bryncethin), Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla), Cllr. Janice Lewis (Lab, Bryncoch), Cllr. Nicole Burnett (Lab, Morfa), Cllr. John Paul Blundell (Lab, Cefn Glas), Cllr. David Lewis (Lab, Sarn)
Abstain (2)*: Cllr. Sorrel Dendy (Ind, Blaengarw), Cllr. Roz Stirman (Plaid, Llangeinor).
Against (1): Cllr. David Edwards (Ind, Maesteg East)
* Cllr. Amanda Williams left the meeting before the vote took place.
“8Xs” housing plan appeal dismissed
There’s been a lot of discussion on social media about a feasibility study being carried out at fields to the north of Archdeacon John Lewis School in Brackla, which could be shortlisted for a replacement Welsh-medium primary school. More on that when the picture becomes clearer.
Not far from there though – albeit technically in the Coity ward – the Planning Inspectorate has rejected an appeal (pdf – Appendix B) from Hafod Housing relating to a proposed development of 41 homes off Wyndham Close on the site of some of the former “8Xs”.
Bridgend Council rejected the application on the grounds of noise from nearby industry, the lack of suitable transport options (particularly bus services) and highway safety. Hafod appealed based on a shortfall in affordable housing in Bridgend county – which the inspector accepted as being an issue, but believed this didn’t outweigh the other concerns.
