CONTENTIOUS plans to change a former residential property in Bridgend into a small care home for one resident have been approved despite concerns from local residents.
The retrospective plans were brought before the council for a decision in April of 2025, for the change of use of a large detached property based at Bryngarw Mill in Brynmenyn, Bridgend.
At the meeting members were told about the plans which were strongly opposed by residents, for a six bedroom property to be used as a care home for a single supervised person.
The report said the building had already been used as a care home since January 2023, with what was described as a three to one ratio needed between care staff and the cared for person- though it was noted that with visiting care professionals there could sometimes be as many as five people at the site.
Speaking in opposition to the plans councillor Tim Thomas of St Bride’s Minor and Ynysawdre said a number of residents had reached out to him after disputes over parking and traffic on the”tight and narrow” access street, where up to twelve vehicles could reportedly leave and arrive during staff change-overs.
Others said they had been blocked in their drives, and had concerns over of anti-social behaviour after what was described as “re-occurring police, fire brigade and ambulance visits to property”.
One resident who spoke at the meeting said the application had greatly affected the lives and well-being of others on the street describing the situation over the last few years as being “absolute hell”.
He added that along with disputes over a private road and turning point there had also been threats of violence from both staff and residents at the property.
However, a representative speaking on behalf of the applicant said there would be no harm to the amenities of nearby residents in terms of privacy, ease of access, noise or disturbance, with no evidence to suggest that a care home of this scale would result in increased levels of crime.
Council officers at the meeting said they had recommended the plans as they did not exceed the level of activity that would be expected from a family dwelling, and stressed that factors to be considered when making planning decisions must be planning matters.
They also highlighted that the property was registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales, with the management and operation of the home continually assessed as a result.
Councillors later approved the plans after a vote, with requests that the chair of the committee write to the Care Inspectorate Wales to make sure planning permission was in place for any new applications in the area before licenses were given.
