A PROPOSAL for 70 extra care flats and 32 flats for over-55s has been recommended for approval.

Plans to develop the land adjacent to Oak Court Sheltered Housing on Myrtle Close has been submitted to the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The plans – submitted by Wales and West Housing – would see 70 one and two bedroom self-contained flats built as part of the extra care building.

The flats will be housed within a three-storey building set around a landscaped courtyard, which will provide a “dementia friendly” amenity area for residents.

Penarth Times: An artist's impression of the courtyard at the proposed extra care building on Myrtle Close.An artist's impression of the courtyard at the proposed extra care building on Myrtle Close. (Image: Wales and West Housing)

An outline application has also been submitted for 32 flats on Myrtle Close specifically for over-55s.

The majority of the site for both proposed developments are part of a site allocated for the development of 145 homes in the council’s Local Development Plan

Responding to the consultation, Penarth Town Council “noted that the application is from a Housing Association where affordability is assured”, and relating to the plan for the flats for over-55s, the council “recognise the need for this type of accommodate and welcome this type of development in Penarth”.

Natural Resources Wales advising they “continue to have concerns” over the application.

“However, they are satisfied that these concerns can be overcome by attaching conditions to any planning permission granted for a Construction Environmental Management Plan,” a Vale of Glamorgan planning report states.

Penarth Times: An artist's impression of the extra care building on Myrtle Close.An artist's impression of the extra care building on Myrtle Close. (Image: Wales and West Housing)

The planning report said that four residents had objected to the plans, with the loss of trees and woodland on the site and loss of wildlife and diversity, as well as concerns over noise pollution among their concerns.

The report concludes: “Subject to conditions and the provision of planning obligations, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle and in respect of design and impact on visual and neighbour amenity, access and impact on highway safety, impact on ecology and loss of trees, and to comply with the relevant planning policies in the Local Development Plan.”

The plans are recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

Among the conditions would be for the extra care scheme to remain as 100 per cent affordable housing to be occupied only by over-55s; and the applicant would be obliged to fund sustainable transport and community facilities; and for 0.755 per cent of the project budget to be set aside for public art; while also providing a public open space to the north west of the proposed site.

The Vale of Glamorgan planning committee will consider the plans – which are available to view on the council website – on Wednesday, November 23.