A CONSULTATION meeting about alternative sites in the Vale Council Local Development Plan (LDP) was held at the Paget Rooms in Penarth last week, April 2.

The alternative sites, which have been put forward by members of the public and are not endorsed by the Vale Council, will go before an independent Planning Inspector before it is decided whether they should be used and the deposit LDP should be changed.

Alternative sites have been divided into three categories: deleted sites, amended sites or new sites.

Suggestions for new and amended sites are wide ranging and include land at Upper Cosmeston Farm being used for retail purposes instead of housing, a Dinas Powys Bypass to the Cornerswell ward, employment land in Hayes Road being used for residential purposes instead of a traveller site, and that land adjoining Murch Road at Dinas Powys, at the former St Cyres School site, being designated for community use and retail.

A Vale Council officer at the meeting said that around 50 people attended to view the proposals.

Emma Reed, operational manager at the Vale Council, attended the meeting and said: “It’s good to come out to the community and talk to people and get their views.”

The consultation of the alternative sites will run until Thursday, May 1.

Brian Millard, of Cosmeston estate, attended the meeting and said that he was opposed to the proposed housing at Upper Cosmeston Farm as traffic was already “terrible” getting in and out of Penarth.

He added that he had also opposed proposals for a bus park and ride scheme at Cosmeston.

Sully independent councillor Kevin Mahoney, who registered himself as an official ‘traveller’ last year to oppose the traveller site at the former civic amenity site, also attended the meeting.

“I moved to delete the traveller site, because as a registered traveller I don’t think it’s suitable for travellers.”

He added that he was “surprised” at proposals for the planning application for 350 houses to be built on land south of Cog Road in Sully “because of the lack of infrastructure”.

Councillor Anthony Ernest added that Penarth was “densely populated” as it is and that the number of sites proposed in the town was small but that it was still “vulnerable for further construction”.