Homes plan for woodland is thrown out

Jan 19 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating today after councillors threw out plans to build a business park and houses on ancient woodland in Barry.

Cardiff-based Harmers Ltd wanted to build the factories and 148 houses on Pencoedtre Wood, off Port Road East, Barry. The scheme was opposed by local councillors, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Woodland Trust, who all said it would ruin an important ancient woodland.

Vale of Glamorgan Council planners also recommended refusal of planning permission for the scheme. The Vale council’s planning committee has now refused planning permission for the development because it would “result in irreversible damage to the special interest of the site”.

The decision has been welcomed by the Woodland Trust and residents.

Neil Coleman, chairman of the Pencoedtre Bluebells campaign group, said: “This result is fantastic, just brilliant.” Rory Francis, of the Woodland Trust, said: “This is great news for ancient woodland in Wales.”