SAFETY fears have been raised following a meeting of concerned residents who live near the Billybanks estate in Penarth.

Worried locals want a fence erected to stop vandals from gaining access to the derelict buildings, as the project to develop the site into nearly 400 new homes appears to have stalled.

Several fires have been set since the estate was vacated and police are regularly called to deal with anti social behaviour, including break-ins and repeated vandalism.

A meeting of residents, local councillors and the emergency services was held at the Windsor pub in Penarth last week, as safety fears grow.

Resident Kate Davies, who lives in neighbouring High Street, was at the meeting.

She said: "The police and fire service are experts who realise that the Billybanks is a tragic accident waiting to happen.

"It's only a matter of time before a young life is lost through misadventure."

Paul Church, a councillor in the St Augustines Ward, was also at the meeting.

"The Billybanks is a big site," he said "While security guards patrol there, it's very hard for them to monitor the whole area at once.

"There are so many different entrances and unfortunately it's used like a big playground.

"Everybody wants development of the site to move on," added Cllr Church "But in the meantime, we have a duty of care to make it safe for those living nearby.

"I've spoken to Gordon Kemp (Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council) about the possibility of having a fence erected and he will be looking into it."

After months of negotiation, Vale of Glamorgan planners granted permission in December for the largely derelict site to be demolished, to make way for nearly 400 new homes.

Bristol-based developers Crest Nicholson were expected to begin work this year on 377 new dwellings - called Penarth Heights.

But four Billybanks residents remain in their homes and have yet to reach agreement with the developers.