PLANS to build 30 new apartments have been refused by Vale planners.

The proposals for the Northcliffe site on the escarpment overlooking Penarth Marina have were put forward by Celtic Developments and would have seen the demolition of the existing building and outbuilding.

But the committee rejected it outright at a meeting on Thursday.

Vale planning officers recommended the plans for approval despite objections from the town council’s planning committee, based on it being an “over dominant and overcrowded form of development, detrimental to the iconic headland and the loss of so many mature trees”.

Councillor Gwyn Roberts said it would have a detrimental view of the “iconic” Penarth headland, sign the “death warrant” for the old Custom House building, and that it was “not in-keeping with the character of the area”.

Anne Greagsby also spoke against it during the meeting, citing the affect on the conservation area and “loss of rich bio-diversity forever”.

“This will damage the setting and local character of the Custom House and the view from the barrage, part of the coastal walk,” she added.

“If this goes ahead it will look like a series of modernist boxes totally out of keeping with Victorian Penarth.”

She also said the allocation of 30 parking spaces for the 30 flats was “well below standards”.

Cllr Roberts was also concerned that a section 106 contribution of £300,000 towards aspects such as education, open space, public amenities and other factors in the areas was not as significant as it usually would be for the type of development proposed.

The plan was unanimously rejected with all members voting against the officers’ recommendations for approval.