New over-55s extra care facility and flats plans approved

Wales and West Housing had submitted an application to develop the land adjacent to Oak Court Sheltered Housing on Myrtle Close, which would see 70 one- and two-bedroom self-contained flats built as part of the extra care facility.

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

The development would be 100 per cent affordable housing, the Vale of Glamorgan council was told.

Dylan Green, the agent speaking on behalf of Wales and West Housing, said the development would “assist in providing much needed homes within an area identified in having the greatest need”.

Mr Green was also asked about the environmental impact of the proposals.

“In terms of trees and biodiversity, the application comprises of a scheme of translocating existing smaller trees that have been removed and planting them elsewhere on the site, with further replacement planting proposed alongside this.”

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

Cllr Lis Burnett, councillor for Stanwell - where the proposed development would be built - said: “Many of the older people [I have spoken to] are fearful for their future and how they can retain their dignity and independence as they go forward.

“We don’t have extra care facilities in the eastern Vale.

“We need this development.

“It provides perfect facilities for older people in the community and it is also adapted for people with dementia so that they are not confused by moving places.”

Cllr Mark Wilson, representative of the Stanwell ward, said: “It’s providing much needed extra care facility in this part of the Vale, which we do not have at all.

“The one thing me and Cllr Burnett will be looking at will be the construction of it, and to make sure that the residents in Myrtle Close are not unduly inconvenienced by this application.”

Cllr Anthony Ernest raised concerns over the removal of trees from the land.

“I think that the concept of the development is acceptable, but I am very concerned for all those residents who live in the vicinity of the development that a lot of this natural land is being lost,” he said.

“The various options that are being put forward for removing trees, I think are a non-starter.

“I think if you take mature trees away, you’re going to have many many years of relatively barren land in which renewals will be planted, but not necessarily come to maturity.

“The loss of some of this wooded land is a great pity for Penarth.”

“The Vale of Glamorgan council has declared emergency. What does that mean?” added Cllr Ian Perry.

“Although I fully support the need for this sort of development, I think the time may have just passed. If this had come forward a decade ago, yes, but today I think that nature has had a vote and said ‘I’ve taken over this space’.”

Councillors were told a scheme would be in place to replace any protected trees that would be removed at a ratio of 2:1, while other tress would be replaced like for like.

“It’s not public space that the public can currently access or have legal rights to access,” councillors were told. “It is council land that is effectively fenced off.”

Councillors approved the plans, with just one voting against them.