EMERGENCY services have objected to Crest Nicholson's proposed development on the Billybanks site - as they fear they would not be able to reach some of the 377 new homes on a 999 call-out.

A spokesperson for the South Wales Ambulance Service said: "There has been a multi-agency objection to the plans for the Penarth Heights development, on the grounds of poor access."

It is understood that the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the South Wales Police Force are the other organisations involved in the multi-party objection.

The objection centres on the proposed single access on High View Road.

The emergency services are concerned that their vehicles would not be able to reach houses on the most northerly part of the site, if the access road - the only way on and off the new development - were to become blocked.

Rob Quick, Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The planning application from Crest Nicholson is still being assessed and, as part of this process, discussions are continuing with the emergency services."

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said: "Crest Nicholson is still discussing various aspects of the planning application, in particular transport and traffic issues, with the council and other bodies.

"A couple of points have been raised by the emergency services which Crest Nicholson hopes to resolve soon, following further discussion and clarification."

Meanwhile, Penarth Councillor Mark Wilson had a Freedom of Information Act request turned down - in which he asked for the Vale's contract with Crest Nicholson to be made public.

The council's freedom of information unit considered the request for information, and a refusal notice was issued earlier in the year.

A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said the grounds for refusing were as follows: (a) A Section 41 (1) exemption applied as disclosure would constitute a breach of confidence. The contract was received by the Council upon that basis, and its disclosure would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by the other party.

(b) Having given due consideration to the public interest test, it was considered that the exemption at Section 43(2) applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of either party.

Cllr Wilson said: "I made the request in the public interest, but I understand the reasons why it was turned down."