FLATS plan has ‘too little parking’ was the Penarth Times headline (October 27). ‘Too many flats crammed into a limited site’ is an alternative.

The Vale Council’s new Parking Standards document seeks high density development with reduced parking places near town centres having a range of facilities and served by public transport.

The Northcliffe Lodge site is not ‘near’ in their definition, it does not have easy walking access to even a food store, while the minimal hourly bus service does not run from 7am to 7pm as the standards require.

If an on-site car space was required, less than 13 flats could be fitted on this limited site, or 10 flats if normal ‘amenity space’ was included.

The planning officers acceptance of a “local company” applying for 30 apartments with quite inadequate car space suggests encouragement from the top.

How curious that officers would bend the rules for a crammed development on Penarth’s iconic cliff overlooking Cardiff Bay.

Max Wallis

Barry and Vale Friends of the Earth