Residents in Dinas Powys are furious about plans to turn an old cottage on a small lane into expensive new homes, claiming it could put lives at risk.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning committee narrowly voted in favour of turning Hillcroft in Heol y Cawl, into three separate homes at a meeting on Thursday.
But a number of people living near the site raised objections to the scheme, arguing that Heol y Cawl was too narrow and that having more vehicles use it could pose a risk to pedestrians.
Council planners said they were satisfied with the proposal in front of them, with one official saying the lane was “lightly trafficked” and a planning consultant speaking on behalf of the applicants saying there was no record of any accidents having taken place there.
One resident, Hannah Reeves, said: “A lot of cars come to visit Heol y Cawl. They don’t dare come down [it] because it’s too dangerous."
“There’s an access at the top, there’s an access at the bottom, but there’s also a very dangerous access right in the middle of the hill and I watch people all the time trying to come in and out of that small access."
“There’s a wall right opposite and they take ages…and if anyone drives up the hill and a car comes downhill…one car has to go back down to Mill Road on a very steep bend and it could be a fatal accident there.”
Mill Road is one of the main roads in and out of Dinas Powys and joins with Pen y Turnpike Road.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, planning consultant Powys Jones said he understood residents’ concerns about road safety in relation to the scheme, which will have seven car parking spaces.
However, he added: “We have looked at the road safety statistics and the highway officers agree there is no record whatsoever of any accidents over the last 20 years in this street and the reason for that is stating the obvious."
“Even though it’s used by pedestrians, the street is narrow therefore speeds are low. Drivers take care.”
Some members of the planning committee, like Cllr Marianne Cowpe, later argued that many accidents were not recorded and that the data might not be a fair reflection of the safety of the lane.
Referring to a site visit conducted by members of the committee before the meeting, Cllr Carys Stallard said she and other councillors were advised not to drive up Heol y Cawl.
Another resident, George Eralil, said: “If planning permission is agreed...this is going to impose significant construction challenges."
“You cannot get a truck with any sort of material on that street. There is a dangerous hill. it’s a bend."
“I do not want my five-year-old daughter to be in any danger. There’s been two insurance write-offs recently on that street because of vehicles being scraped.”
Cllr Stallard also criticised the affordability of the future homes, adding that they would be sold for about half a million pounds each on average.
Cllr Nic Hodges criticised the development on similar lines, pointing out the lack of a financial contribution by the developer for affordable housing.
Financial agreements, called section 106 agreements, are usually made between developers and councils when a new scheme is approved.
They are often used to mitigate a potential impact that the project may have or they are used to secure funding for improvements to infrastructure and housing in the local area.
According to a council report, an independent review of the development found that getting the applicants to make a section 106 contribution would make the Hillcroft scheme unviable.
Hillcroft, which is described by Vale of Glamorgan Council as being an early 19th century (possibly earlier) cottage, is also part of the Dinas Powys conservation area.
Concerns were raised by objectors about the potential heritage impact developing the building might have.
Council planning officer, Stephen Butler, said a lean-to on the building was initially going to be demolished – a proposal opposed by the council.
However, this is now being retained as part of the latest plans and Mr Butler went on to add that the council’s heritage planning officer was satisfied the scheme did not cause any harm.
Mr Powys said the extensions that would be built to the rear of the building would not have any significant impact on the area because they would not be visible to passers-by.
The vote on approving the planning application was tied, with seven planning committee members voting in favour, seven voting against and two abstaining.
Plans were approved after the committee chair, Cllr Neil Thomas, broke the deadlock using his casting vote.
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