New homes plan for Penarth described as ‘sheer madness’

PLANS for almost 600 new homes near Cosmeston Park have been condemned as “sheer madness”.

The Welsh Government has appointed two architects to prepare an outline planning application for the development at Upper Cosmeston Farm, Penarth.

The Welsh Government-owned site would be used to build around 576 new homes, a primary school and community facilities. The scheme is part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Local Development Plan.

The plans would add to 540 new homes approved in Cog Road in Sully and would mean more than 1,100 new homes being planned within just a mile.

Councillor Kevin Mahoney, who represents the area, said: “That’s virtually another village the size of Sully.

“You can’t keep putting everything in the same place.

“The Welsh Government seem hellbent with concreting every last bit of land in the whole of Wales.

“We can’t keep swamping the same areas that can’t cope with the traffic and lack of services with house after house.

“It’s sheer madness.”

Asbri Planning, which is drawing up the plans along with Austin Smith: Lord architects, has applied to the Vale council for a scoping opinion on whether the new homes would need an environmental impact assessment.

Cllr Jonathan Bird, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “No planning application has yet been submitted, rather there have been screening and scoping submissions. These will be considered in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance.

“Should a planning application follow, it will be considered in exactly the same way as any other of its type... [It] will need to satisfy national and local policies, including those contained in the LDP, while members of the public will also have the opportunity to express their views.”