Winds of change? (From Penarth Times)

Winds of change?

SWIRLING winds and traffic chaos could put a halt to the "Gherkin" tower block scheme in Penarth.

That's the hope of the Penarth Marina and Haven Residents' Association who claim wind tests carried out for the proposed building are unreliable.

The association, which acts on behalf of the 650 houses and apartments on the marina, have registered their total opposition to the scheme with Vale planners.

Alwyn Evans, secretary of the residents' association, said: "The applicants' consultants suggest that wind effect around the tower will be insignificant. However, no account has been taken of the shape of the tower on vortex effects created by strong prevailing winds around the curve of Penarth Head. All of the study's computer simulation is based upon open field location data from Rhoose. No specific wind study data has been collected on the Penarth Head site."

The association also say that the traffic study included in the application takes no account of the 400-plus cars the proposal will bring to the Harbour Heights site.

Members say that Harbour Heights drivers are likely to see their easiest commuting route as being via Penarth Portway, adding significantly to the congestion on Windsor Road and Cogan roundabout.

Alwyn Evans also claims that the revised car parking provision for the apartments will cut back into an already unstable cliff, causing problems for housing at the top of the cliff.

Alywn Evans added: "The development represents significant over-development on the site. Its scale is totally inappropriate to any other development in the marina area and is particularly incongruous alongside the adjacent listed buildings