THERE is growing concern among local residents over candidate sites, earmarked for possible future housing developments, included in the Vale of Glamorgan’s Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP).

Once adopted the Deposit (draft) LDP will govern how land within the Vale is used between 2011 and 2026.

Currently open for consultation, the plan contains various local planning policies and makes provision for a number of land uses, including housing, employment, retail, recreation, transport, tourism, minerals, waste, and community uses.

But local residents of Penarth, Dinas Powys, Cosmeston and Sully - all of which have candidate sites included in the LDP for possible future housing projects - are worried about the strain that yet more houses could put on the roads and environment in the area.

Included among the candidate sites are land at Fort Road, Lavernock - where 450 dwellings have been proposed; land adjoining St Joseph’s School, Sully Road - with 70 dwellings proposed; land at the current site of the Headlands School in Penarth - where 80 houses are proposed; land adjoining St Cyres School on Murch Road in Dinas Powys - where 340 dwellings are proposed; and land off Caerleon Road, Dinas Powys - where 60 houses could be built.

There is also a reserve site on land to the West of Swanbridge Road, Sully, where 650 houses could be built - with public transport improvements required.

Local resident Sheila Hartrey said: “It is difficult to imagine how Penarth can possibly sustain such an increase in population, when it has often appeared in the last decade or so that the Vale has been hell-bent on closing many services down in Penarth.

"Has anyone given any thought to the considerable increase of traffic that will be generated when the development of the Barry Waterfront is completed?

"Dinas Powys is at saturation level each rush hour period, and more people are travelling through Sully to Penarth and on to Cardiff.

“I would strongly urge people to oppose the plan.”

Sully resident Julian Wynn added: “Given the proposed high density nature of these developments, the resulting increase in number of households in such a small area will place a heavier burden on already stretched services, education and health.

"In addition there is a risk that communities in the area will coalesce, resulting in no green space between Penarth and Barry.

"I feel a number of factors have not been given sufficient consideration in the preparation of this plan and as such is it flawed.”

Elizabeth Eveleigh of Lavernock Road said: "I sat for more than 30 minutes yesterday morning, in nose-to-tail bumper traffic, trying to get out of Penarth.

"It is exactly the same in Dinas Powys. The last thing we need is more housing developments.

“And the green spaces we have in this part of the Vale are very precious. We need to protect them.”

The six-week public consultation on the Deposit LDP started on Monday, February 20 and runs until Monday, April 2. Interested parties and members of the public can formally comment on the plan.

During the consultation period the Deposit LDP, together with supporting documents, can be viewed at the council’s main offices and libraries or on the council’s website. A public exhibition took place at the Penarth Town Council offices on Wednesday, March 14, and there is another planned for Llantwit Major Town Hall on Saturday, March 24 from 10am to 1pm.

Representations can be made during the consultation period using an online comment form, which is available on the council website's Local Development Plan pages.

Paper forms are also available from Vale libraries and main council offices.

The closing date for comments is 5pm on April 2.

For more information about the Deposit LDP contact the LDP team on 01446 700111 or e-mail LDP@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

* A petition against the proposal for Lavernock has been set up online at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ say-no-to-vale-land-development-plan-in-lavernock.html

* A public meeting to discuss the local implications of the LDP has been called by Dinas Powys Community Council and will be held on Monday, March 19, at 7.30pm, at the Parish Hall, Britway Road, Dinas Powys.