PLANS have been approved for the development of 17 new homes at a farming site in Bridgend county borough.
They could now lead to the creation of the new residential properties by developers at Marlas Yard and Paddock in Pyle, alongside an active travel route, access, car parking, and landscaping.
The approval will see the demolition of a former cow barn and pig shed to make way for housing on the north-western edge of Pyle, immediately south of Marlas Road Lane.
The area is also about 200m south from the Grade II-listed Llanmihangel Mill and just north of Afon Y Felin Primary School.
The report read: “The application proposes the comprehensive re-development of the yard area into a residential site, comprising a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom units of a detached, semi-detached and linked nature.
“The existing, historic hay barn building adjacent to the vehicle access to the site off Marlas Road Lane, which forms a curtilage listing to the main Grade II Marlas Farm House to the east, would be converted to two independent units of a one-bedroom and two-bedroom nature, as part of the scheme.”
“Vehicular access would be gained from the north (utilising the existing access point) with a main spine road providing access into the site with public open space, landscaping and car parking/turning space which would be created from the main access point.”
Information submitted with the application said the yard and historic paddock were no longer actively used for its “historic agricultural purpose” and was instead only utilised for light industrial activity and storage purposes.
However, speaking at the meeting, a representative for the current farmer with tenancy on the land disputed this, saying it was still in use with the business not viable without use of the yard and barn.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, a representative said these plans had been developed over five years and respected the character and appearance of the area, as well as becoming a heritage-led project.
Officers said they recommended the proposals which were compatible with the area and were in line with local and national planning policy.
The proposals were later approved unanimously by council bosses in attendance at a planning committee held in April.
