Save West Street – Protect Llantwit Major’s Heritage!

We, the undersigned, call on the Vale of Glamorgan Council to reject the proposed redevelopment of The West House on West Street, Llantwit Major, into 12 residential units.

West Street is one of the most historic and peaceful areas of Llantwit Major. Its narrow, ancient streets, historic homes, and important landmarks — including the recently restored medieval castle — are a precious part of the town’s heritage. They should be preserved for future generations, not sacrificed for short-term gain.

The proposed development by MBT Developments Ltd will have a devastating and irreversible impact on this area.

If approved, the plan would:

• Remove existing vital parking spaces, forcing overflow parking onto an already narrow and unsuitable road.
  
  
• Block sunlight, privacy, and countryside views for neighbouring homes — especially properties located on the lower elevated River Walk.
  
  
• Increase traffic congestion, cause daily safety risks, and permanently damage the peaceful character of West Street.
  
  
• Overwhelm the area with construction vehicles and disruption, harming the wellbeing of long-standing residents, including elderly and vulnerable individuals.
  
  
• Fail to properly accommodate emergency services, delivery vehicles, and essential maintenance access, putting safety at serious risk.
  Provide no safe electric vehicle charging solutions, potentially leading to dangerous trailing cables across pavements and roads.
  
  
• Permanently damage the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the carefully preserved setting of nearby historic buildings, including the castle.

Based on the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s own adopted Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Guidance, the proposed parking provision is grossly inadequate. At least 26–39 car parking spaces would be required for a development of this size. The plans offer just 14 spaces — far short of what is needed to prevent dangerous congestion, overspill, and highway safety risks.

We believe that The West House could be sympathetically restored or adapted to benefit the community, but this current proposal is insensitive, inappropriate, and completely out of character with the special setting of West Street.

Please sign this petition to stand up for our town, our heritage, and our community.

This short video (captured using Google Street View) shows how quiet, historic and unspoilt the street is, finishing with the recently restored Old Place (castle) which keeps the history alive. The car park, the proposed location of a 2 storey house, overshadows both gardens, conservatories and lower level homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every signature counts — together we can send a clear message:
Protect West Street.
Protect Llantwit Major.

Copy the following email (add your name etc to the bottom of the email) and send your objections to:

• planning@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

SUBJECT:

Objection to Planning Application – The West House, West Street, Llantwit Major
 
EMAIL MESSAGE:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write to register my strong objection to the proposed development at West House, West Street, Llantwit Major (Planning Ref: 2025/00068/FUL), which seeks to convert the existing property into twelve residential units, along with associated external works.

As a concerned resident and stakeholder in the future of Llantwit Major, I respectfully urge the council to reject this application on the following grounds:
 
1. Overdevelopment and Unsympathetic Density
The proposed twelve-unit scheme represents a substantial overdevelopment of a site located in one of the town’s most historic and sensitive areas. The scale and massing are wholly out of keeping with the immediate surroundings, which are characterised by low-density, heritage properties. The design and volume of the development would dramatically alter the character of West Street, leading to irreversible visual and cultural harm.
 
2. Impact on Conservation Area
West House sits within a designated Conservation Area. The proposed redevelopment introduces multiple new dwellings, parking reconfigurations, and building alterations that fail to respect the architectural harmony of the area. The scheme ignores the context of the adjacent buildings, the historic streetscape, and the Council’s own Conservation Area Appraisal guidance.
 
3. Mental and Emotional Impact on Residents
Residents of West Street and surrounding roads are already struggling with narrow roads, limited parking, and the stress of living in a sensitive area. The impact of this proposed construction will inevitably bring increased anxiety, disruption, and emotional fatigue to those living nearby. Worries around traffic obstruction, loss of privacy, and devaluation of property are already circulating. The prospect of enduring months of noise, dust, and inconvenience is mentally draining and adds unnecessary stress to families and vulnerable individuals.
 
4. Traffic, Access and Parking Chaos
West Street is an ancient, narrow route with existing parking constraints. Introducing twelve additional dwellings — many of which will rely on cars — will amplify existing congestion and generate traffic bottlenecks at peak hours. The access for refuse, emergency vehicles, and delivery vans is already compromised. Adding residents, contractors, and service vehicles will only exacerbate these risks.
 
5. Construction-Phase Disruption
The sheer volume of heavy goods vehicles, contractors, machinery, and scaffolding required for a development of this scale will cause months, if not years, of disruption. Residents will be subjected to dust pollution, machinery noise, blocked access, and possible damage to nearby properties due to vibrations and groundwork. Tourists and visitors to Llantwit Major – a historic and tranquil location – will be put off by such prolonged intrusion.
 
6. Parking Intrusion onto Private Drives and Spaces
As parking provision on-site will be limited and during construction will be non-existent, overflow parking is likely to spill onto West Street and adjoining roads. This may result in contractors and later residents parking outside private properties, even occupying clearly marked or legally assigned spaces and driveways, causing tension and inconvenience to existing residents. This is entirely unacceptable in a close-knit and quiet residential area.
 
7. Environmental and Ecological Harm
The development could significantly impact local wildlife. The area has been known to host bat activity, birdlife, and is adjacent to tree-lined routes and drainage channels that serve as corridors for wildlife. Light pollution from multiple new dwellings and noise from additional residents will alter the behaviour of species that rely on this space. The submitted ecology reports do not go far enough to guarantee adequate protection of these species, nor do they explore alternatives with less impact.
 
8. Conflict with Scheduled Monument and Historical Integrity
Directly adjacent the proposed site is “The Old Place,” a Scheduled Monument and a rare medieval heritage site that has been meticulously restored in a respectful, historically appropriate manner.

The visual relationship between West House and The Old Place cannot be understated. To introduce a dense, modern residential block so close to a monument of national importance would undermine the historical integrity of the area and set a damaging precedent for future conservation decisions.

This application represents a jarring contrast to how “The Old Place” has been preserved — and is a betrayal of the town’s wider architectural heritage.
 
9. Planning Process and Community Concern
There is a strong perception locally that this development is being pushed through without adequate public scrutiny. Many residents were unaware of the pre-application consultation or were unable to comment fully. The council’s own planning portal currently shows no appeal activity, which should now be corrected with the formal submission of multiple objections.
 
10. Harm to Neighbouring Properties Adjacent to Car Park Development
The proposed construction of residential units in the area currently used as a car park will directly affect the homes whose gardens and living spaces back onto this boundary. These residents currently benefit from open skies, natural light, privacy, and the peaceful enjoyment of their gardens — many of which are used for relaxation, family play, or even the growing of fruit and vegetables.

Erecting tall dwellings in such close proximity will block natural sunlight, cast overshadowing across rear gardens, and result in a total loss of privacy and open aspect. For residents who have cultivated their gardens over many years, this will represent a devastating and irreversible change to their quality of life.
 
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Vale of Glamorgan Council to reject this planning application.

Thank you for considering my objection.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Full Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Optional: Your Email Address]