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Calls to assess Bendricks' community needs

Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at 10:58

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

Plaid Cymru

A Barry councillor has called for a community needs assessment of the Bendricks area, amid proposals to build more housing.

A public consultation on housing growth in the town, carried out by Vale of Glamorgan Council, has recommended 70 new homes should be built.

The council says there are "huge pressures" on social housing in the county, with over 7,600 households on the waiting list - and over half expressing a first-choice preference to live in Barry.

A report on the consultation will be discussed by cabinet members on Thursday.

But Plaid Cymru argues that while there are industrial estates and children's playgrounds in the area, which is south of Barry Docks towards Sully, there are no other community facilities.

For several months in 2023 and 2024, the Bendricks was left without a bus service as the no. 88 route between Barry and Penarth was not running at all.

Cllr Millie Collins, who represents the Castleland ward, said: "The Bendricks is a unique part of Barry, with a local beach and close proximity to the docks and industrial estates."

"However, the population of the area has increased substantially because of new housing in recent years."

"Any further development should be accompanied by a community needs assessment to consider what is required to support the Bendricks community, noting issues around irregular public transport, lack of community facilities etc."

"The Local Development Plan (LDP) is supposed to be promoting housing sites close to the railway line, but that obviously isn't the case over the Bendricks, so this would be another car-dependent estate."

"The growing community there needs the Vale Council to reflect on its needs, as a community, and not just keep adding housing every time they write a new housing plan."

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson told Bro Radio News: "There are currently huge pressures on social housing in the Vale, with over 7,600 households on the council's housing waiting list. Of these applicants, over 4,300 have expressed a first-choice preference to live in Barry."

"The development of new social housing is critical to meeting the needs of the local population and ensuring people have a safe, secure and affordable home."

"The Bendricks site benefits from proximity to Sully, which offers a range of services including a primary school, community centre, GP surgery and retail provision."

"The Bendricks is also currently served by the 88 and 94 bus routes, providing links to Penarth and Barry, including rail stations, and also an early morning and evening service to Cardiff."

"This enables residents to take public transport instead of walking or driving. An increase in the population in this area will help support the sustainability of bus services in the area moving forward."

The spokesperson added: "The council will also seek appropriate contributions from site developers through Section 106 agreements towards enhancing community infrastructure where appropriate. This will include contributions towards education facilities, sustainable transport, community facilities and open spaces."

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