Plans to build up to 850 new homes on land west of Bridgend have been approved by Bridgend County Borough Council this month, despite objections from local residents. The hybrid application from developer Llanmoor Homes was granted permission for the scheme, known as Parc Llangewydd, which was described as an "extensive development".
Site location and housing mix
The greenfield site sits on the northern side of the A473 along the western edge of Bryntirion, around 750m east of the village of Laleston. Once completed, the development will include up to 850 new homes, a new primary school, public open space, and vehicular and pedestrian/cycle access.
Properties will range from one-bedroom flats to two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, with 20% of homes set aside as affordable housing.
Local objections and concerns
Cllr Jon-Paul Blundell and Cllr Colin Davies objected to the application, citing the potential scale and density of the site, which they felt could risk overdevelopment and an erosion of privacy. In a letter of objection, they said: "While the need for housing is real, and the inclusion of affordable housing, a school, and open space in the proposal are steps in the right direction, the scale, location, and existing resource constraints make the proposed development, in its current form, problematic."
They added: "Granting permission without strong conditions will likely lead to adverse outcomes for both new and existing residents in terms of traffic, environmental degradation, overburdened services, and loss of local character." A further 28 objections were raised by residents, who voiced fears over the loss of green space, increased traffic and road safety, and additional pressures on local services such as GP surgeries, dentists, and hospitals.
Officer recommendation and approval
Officers recommended the site for approval, noting it had been subject to "rigorous design reviews" and that the council's highway authority raised no objections. Regarding health services, officers said the new Sunnyside Wellness Village development in Bridgend would be sufficient to accommodate the site, with no objections from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. They also highlighted that the site was specifically allocated for housing under the council's local development plan.
Following debate, the application was approved by council bosses with a vote of nine members to four. The decision allows the first phase of the project to begin, comprising the first 377 units with internal estate roads and public open space, with outline planning permission for the remainder of the site. The approval follows the go-ahead for a separate application for 122 houses in Bridgend's Llynfi Valley in July.
