New retail development must include roundabout
A TONYREFAIL retail, food and drink development has been approved as long as a roundabout is built to ease traffic congestion.
The planning committee at Rhondda Cynon Taf council gave its backing to the plans for two shops and three food and drink outlets on land to the east of Mill Street with the condition that a roundabout is built on the junction.
But a public speaker and councillors raised concerns about the availability of car parking in the area and access issues on to Mill Street.
A site visit was held for the application on July 10 and it is included within the council’s Local Development Plan (LDP).
The plan is for the access to the development to be via a new junction arrangement and access road leading from the existing access of Mill Street with a 28-space car park including two disabled spaces.
There were six letters of objection received from the public with parking one of the major issues raised, as well as noise and dust issues, litter problems, pollution, loss of privacy, flooding, design issues and the need for the development.
Residents said parking on Mill Street was problematic and that inadequate parking would be detrimental to the area.
Councillor Dan Owen-Jones, a noncommittee member but who represents Tonyrefail East, told the committee on August 15 that it was not the right place for the development.
Councillor Gareth Caple insisted that a roundabout was put in place at the junction of the development with Mill Street to ease congestion in the area.
Fellow committee member Councillor Doug Williams asked if installing traffic lights had been considered but the highways officer said that they had not.
Councillor Sharon Rees said: “I was mortified by the access issues on the site visit.
“The only way forward is to install a roundabout before works commence.”
Councillor Julie Williams said the traffic was “horrendous” during the site visit and said she did not think the road was wide enough for traffic lights.
But Councillor Wayne Owen said he did not think the road was big enough for a roundabout.
He said: “I don’t think Tonyrefail needs the development and it is going to cause problems. I won’t be voting for it.”
The planning report, which recommended it for approval, said: “Whilst a number objections have been received from local residents, it is not considered that either the location of the development or proposed new access arrangements will have an adverse impact on local residents.”