PARKING restrictions are set to be introduced on Penarth Esplanade as work on the Beachcliff development nears completion

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is currently consulting on proposals to change waiting restrictions for the five parking spaces outside the Beachcliff development, which is above the newly opened and hugely popular James Sommerin Restaurant.

The proposals include removing the No Waiting At Any Time restrictions, which were in place during construction work, with a two hour waiting limit in between 10am and 7pm.

Developer Richard Hayward said that it was agreed with the Vale Council that there would be five parking permits for residents of Beachcliff and “this has not changed”.

“We are currently in discussions with the highways department about how this will be implemented in the context of their wider parking strategy for Penarth,” he said.

He added that in the meantime work on Beachcliff was “progressing well” and that James Sommerin’s restaurant was “attracting praise from all quarters”.

“The hotel and the apartments are due for practical completion later this month and there is significant interest from buyers in all of the residential units,” he said.

“As the building emerges from construction, I think the quality and scale of what we have achieved in the redevelopment this important building is becoming ever clearer.”

Chef James Sommerin welcomed the parking restrictions and said they would direct more people down to the area.

“We’ve had a few people complain that there are not enough parking spaces down here, so the more we can get the merrier,” he said.

He added that they had been “very busy” since their recent opening, but moved to dismiss rumours that they were fully booked until Christmas.

Penarth Town Council noted the planning application during a planning and transportation committee meeting on Wednesday, July 2.

During discussions of the application councillor Martin Turner, who represents the Plymouth ward, said he “fully supported” the proposals put forward by the Vale Council as they would be “opening public space again” outside the Beachcliff development.

Councillor Clive Williams, who also represents the Plymouth ward, added that he was pleased that the Vale Council was supporting the development and backed the developer Richard Hayward: “I’m really pleased that this guy is continuing with this as if there had been a major problem he would have walked away.”

Any comments or objections to the changes to parking restrictions should be made in writing by July 18 to the Vale Council.