PLANS to build housing on the site of a former reservoir in the Bridgend area have been given the go-ahead.
The decision made by the local authority’s planning committee at a meeting held on October 31, could now see the development of 16 affordable houses with associated works in Cefn Cribwr, at the site of a concrete-covered former reservoir.
Proposals for the development based on 0.4 hectares of land on Cefn Road had been handed in by local housing association Valleys to Coast in July 2022, ahead of any construction works.
The plans given to council bosses said once completed, the new homes would consists of eight one-bedroom properties, two two-bedroom houses, four three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses, along with new vehicle access.
The report read: “Valleys to Coast Housing Association have submitted this application that seeks to develop the former reservoir site off Cefn Road for a housing development comprising 16 units, all two-storey in scale and ranging from one-bedroom ‘walk-up’ flats to four-bedroom semi-detached dwellings.
“A new vehicular access will be constructed toward the western end of the development that will serve an adopted turning area, private drives and parking areas to the rear and side of the proposed units.”
However, some residents who live nearby raised of concerns over the plans, specifically when it came to possible ground contamination at the site, the density in the number of dwellings on the small plot, and a potential lack of parking.
Officers however recommended the plans for approval on the basis they were in line with relevant planning policies, with an acceptable density of housing and sufficient capacity for highways and local services.
Other concerns were also noted over privacy of the neighbouring properties with gardens potentially being overlooked by the new houses, though officers said it was not to the extent where it would warrant refusal.
The plans were later approved unanimously by members in attendance subject to conditions to make sure contamination and ground conditions would not be affected.
