CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 70 houses at a site in Dinas Powys have been approved by the Vale council this week.

There was one abstention and two votes against officer recommendations to give full planning approval to the scheme on Thursday (December 7).

The Dinas Powys Bypass Steering Group had voiced their concerns over increases in traffic, the safety of local school children as well as the lack of pedestrian links to the local railway station.

Outline planning permission was granted for the site in January 2016 but the full application went before Vale planners at a committee meeting to consider reserved matters such as design and access.

Objections were received from Dinas Powys Community Council and local residents raised their concerns over the impact on existing infrastructure and local services and safety of children, at a public meeting last month.

But officers recommended that the application was approved subject to conditions.

“It’s too late to dispute the added congestion traffic from the estate will cause at the already over-capacity Murch Road junction with Cardiff Road. That was covered in the outline planning passed last year by the previous administration,” said Rod Harrod, chairman of the steering group.

However, the group will still be putting a number of objections to the planning committee.

“Incredibly, officials said last year, and repeated a few weeks ago, that because there was nothing the developer could do to improve the Murch Road junction onto the A4055 they had no objection to the development proceeding.

“If that isn’t an admission a bypass is the only solution to the increasing traffic congestion I don’t know what is.

“But it’s scary that the need for houses took precedent over safety, particularly that of the very, very, young ones attending the infant school at the junction.

“They must comply with the Local Development Plan.

“Mitigation measures must be put in place to alleviate any detrimental impact on the local highway network and associated junctions.”

One of the conditions is the provision of a robust travel plan which the group believes is “not fit for purpose”.

“They intend to distribute a travel pack to residents and produce regular leaflets to promote walking and cycling. Do they really think that will work?

“The committee ruled construction vehicles would not be allowed to enter or leave the site from half an hour either side of the opening times of the two schools. A further similar condition was made about construction vehicles during peak travel times, said steering group member Roger Pattenden.