Head for Heights (From Penarth Times)

Head for Heights

THE final plans for the dramatic transformation of the Billybanks site have not been submitted to the council - but they are already the talk of the town.

Concerns over the up-to-500-home project have surfaced during the present consultation period, but the general consensus among Penarthians is that any work to erase the eyesore as it currently stands is long overdue.

The recent exhibition of developer Crest Nicholson's initial proposals for the Penarth Heights project, viewed by some 400 people at the Paget Rooms, stirred up a great deal of public debate.

Many who saw the first ideas were concerned Penarth Heights would generate a great deal more traffic into the town, while others were anxious about the height and density of the structure.

Max Wallis, of Barry and Vale Friends of the Earth, described what he saw as a "sham development" and the "worst type of design."

In a letter, Mr Wallis said: "The immediate impact will be lots of traffic.

"The lack of local facilities with the new development means driving to the shops and ferrying children to school, as well as loading the congested Windsor Road and Cogan Pill junction with further cars.

"Any major redevelopment should make a contribution to Penarth - a youth centre is the major unmet promise and critical need."

While Penarth AM Lorraine Barrett welcomes the redevelopment of the Billybanks in general, her main concern lies with the level of affordable and social housing that is to be made available at Penarth Heights.

"I would like to see a higher percentage of social housing on the site," said Mrs Barrett.

"There is a desperate shortage of social housing in Penarth, people are desperate for council houses.

"To miss this opportunity would be a real shame."

Katherine Chandler, secretary of the Alexandra Ward Residents Association, said things have progressed since the exhibition at the Paget Rooms.

She said: "A community consultation group has been set up which involves the developers, the Vale planners and the residents' association.

"We have only had one meeting, but that was really successful."

Katherine said that the group will be looking at specific problems with the proposals in turn.

Their main concerns, she added, are the issues of the height and density of the structure, the lack of community facilities, and traffic.

St Augustine ward councillor Lis Burnet attended the meeting.