THE DEMOLITION of a "distinguished" Victorian mansion has been approved

The Highlands located in Old Barry Road in Penarth is set to be demolished and replaced with 11 new houses after the Vale's planning committee voted in favour of the planning officers' recommendations on Thursday (March 30).

These will include eight detached "open market" houses and three affordable units.

The current two storey house, which is not a listed building, and converted outbuilding occupies a site of 0.66 hectares adjacent to the A4055.

The application was called in by Cllr Peter King so that objections raised could be fully considered.

Objections to the application have been received from the Ancient Monuments Society and the Victorian Society as well as the occupiers of Gweld y Mor, New Lodge, Sea Crest House as well as one and three Bay View in Old Barry Road.

Reasons for objection include that the development not being in accord with the Local Development Plan, that it would cause harm to highway safety with am increase in traffic onto the A4055, the loss of existing house with special architectural interest and a a landmark building with circular tower, an adverse impact on neighbouring amenity including loss of privacy and light and noise and dust nuisance, impact on services including water pressure and drainage, loss of trees and impact on bats and social housing provision affecting house values.

Two neighbours lodged their support for the application.

The plans would also involve the removal of a number of trees on the site and replacement planting.

The Ancient Monuments Society, a mandatory consultee on applications for listed building consent, commented: "It is a striking composition, especially the tourelle with the balcony offering grand views out.

"It deserves better than to be destroyed, especially as it can clearly be retained with new housing reserved to the gardens."

The Victorian Society strongly object to the proposed demolition of The Highlands saying it would "deprive the area of a distinguished Victorian dwelling of the sort that characterises the area and which could be easily adapted to provide the sort of residential accommodation the applicant desires."

Penarth Town Council were consulted and have stated: "That the application be approved with reservations over overcrowding and visibility of development, including trees already felled."

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions including off-site highway improvements and a section 106 legal agreement relating to affordable housing and public open space.

Cllr King said although he agrees with the individual points raised by officers, he worries about the cumulative affect that they may have.

He said the building is "magnificent and impressive" and urged that there was a condition attached stating when work is carried out to mitigate the impact of noise.

Cllr Gwyn John said it was "such a shame" to lose the building while Cllr Val Hartrey said she was "appaled" at the prospect of losing the mansion.