"ALARMING" plans for a new multi-storey car park on Penarth Esplanade have raised concerns from campaigners worried that it may threaten the future of the Headland Link scheme.

The concept of a car park being built in the area first surfaced in November 2015 when the idea was mooted by the Headlands Link Group - the team behind the highly-anticipated footpath plans.

More recently they resurfaced at a public meeting, which exhibited artist's impressions of the proposed scheme - featuring a plaza and car park at the end of Penarth Esplanade.

But Vale of Glamorgan Friends of the Earth member Keith Stockdale said: “With the Welsh Government’s policy of active travel we should be encouraging cycling and walking, not building a car park.

“The old car park was a monstrous carbuncle and had a negative visual impact. The headland link plan should not be dependent on a new one.”

A spokesman for the group added: "It would be visually intrusive from the pier and from boats.

"Claims that it’s no worse than the old multi-storey carpark count for nothing, there’s no reason to repeat that 30-year blunder.

"Any car park is a separate project, to be justified or not on its own, and not create trouble and cost for the new headland project."

A Headland Link Group representative has said that the plans are still in their infancy though, with the walkway aspect still being at the forefront.

David Trotman said: "We are at the pre pre planning stage and are just seeking positivity from local authorities at the moment.

"We would need a full environmental study first before proceeding.

"We are purely concentrating on the walkway and no paperwork or documentation has been signed yet."

Penarth architect Chris Loyn, who is also part of the group behind the project, said that the general feedback from the public had so far been positive.

"There has been general support for the idea of a car park at the Penarth end of the headland link," he said. "But it will be some time before firm proposals are made."