A STAUNCH critic to the Model Farms planning application has thanked councillors for their decision to refuse planning for a potential business park on the site.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning committee opposed an application for a business park on Wednesday March 1, which had been proposed for land at Model Farm in Rhoose, by nine votes to eight.

Chair of group Vale Communities Unite, Maxine Levett, thanked councillors who voted against the Development.

Ms Levett said the farm is a fantastic example of sustainable farming.

“We are delighted with the outcome of the majority vote against the development and can only see their decisions were valid,” said Ms Levitt.

“The historical Romilly family developed this farm as a ‘Model’ for rotational crops and continues to produce beef and wildflower seeds.”

Ms Levett explained some of the issues of the application apparently included:

  • the lack of sewerage capacity
  • the viability which would impact on the public purse
  • the questionable number of jobs
  • the biodiversity
  • traffic implications and public transport concerns
  • access concerns
  • maintenance which would have been in the gifted land

The Jenkins family has worked on Model Farm since 1935.

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Model Farm

Barry And District News:

A map showing the layout of the proposed business park at Model Farm. Picture: RPS Group

For years the plans for a business park, which is intended to support the aviation industry, has been the subject of intense debate.

The original planning decision to grant the application back in July 2021 was quashed due to a lack of viability information.

A committee meeting on the plans was deferred in October 2022 after the viability information had not been attached to the committee report.

Concerns remained among some council members and residents that the development is forecast, through an independent viability report, to make a £6 million loss in its first eight years.

It is estimated that the proposed 44.75 hectare business park had the potential to create over 3,000 jobs.

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Kelly Ball, Rhys Jenkins and their two daughters, and Gethin Jenkins, at Model Farm. Picture: Gareth Williams

Ms Levett finished by saying the farm still has a vital role to play.

“The fields of the farm are used regularly for foraging of mammals,” said Ms Levett.

“On last count 50 skylarks winter feed on the site.

“When taking bird counts, the main concern is nesting, however these fields are also essential for winter feeding and foraging, with the wildflower seeds have increased the winter foraging on the site.”