'Ludicrous' plan (From Penarth Times)

'Ludicrous' plan

FORTY Penarthians crowded into the back room of the Pilot Hotel to take part in a public meeting on the "Gherkin" tower.

The meeting was called by Labour councillors.

Liz Burnett, councillor for St Augustine's ward, said: "We called the meeting to give residents the chance to air their views to us face-to-face, so we can put them forward when the Vale council meets to consider this application."

Plans for the proposed 18-storey building will go before the Vale council at the end of February.

Cllr Gwyn Roberts said: "As a town council we objected to this application in the strongest possible terms. In our consultation with the Vale we described the proposal as ludicrous.

"It obliterates the whole of the Penarth headland - which is a landmark - and it also dwarfs both of the haven's only historic buildings.

"The proposals only provide for 66 car parking spaces when guidelines recommend 150. Also the shadow cast by the tower will cover a large part of the marina during the winter months."