APPALLING’ CLAIM Open challenge: who cares AfvJ 2 about Cowbridge? In an open letter to councillors and residents in the Vale, the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust has said it is “appalled" to learn of the intention to go ahead with a leisure centre at Bear Field, Cowbridge. Director Mr. G. Dowdell says that a vast amount of archaeological evidence would be lost for ever. —— ------™ He says that unless the merit to investigate the site. Trust is given time to At the Council's request, Who cares where investigate the site it the Trust provided a map would "undoubtedly showing the "areas of crucial archaeological importance, the heron feeds? constitute a major including Bear Field". archaelogical tragedy Mr. Dowdell argues that Sir. Some weeks ago a drawings, a few more square unprecendented in recent seven points in the final correspondent wrote metres of turf to appease the times, and one whieh District Han supported* the expressing her dismay after conservationists. would hang over the visiting Bowmans Well and need lor care over Apart from a very few Principality for many Cowbridge's archaeological seeing the condition it was left in after the fastest people, who really cares? years to come. treasures. V lews Some sympathetic noises will Mr. Dowdell adds that One of these specifically Verlands development. She may be interested to be made, but after all. its trial excavation and survey undertook to refer planning only about an acre of marshy have established that Bear proposals to the Trust for I certainly know that a lot of the builders rubbish has been field with some dubious Field is "one of the richest their observation. historical connections. archaeological sites in South The open letter goes on care about cleared, and the approach Wales". that it "seemed reasonable to graded and kerbs have been Who, in their right mind In 1980 the Trust infer" that the Council would Cowbridge laid, but it would be naive to would want to get up early to published a detailed survey consult the Trust prior to the think all this has been done watch for the heron that still on the importance of the provision of playing fields at for the benefit of the sometimes feeds on these town's archaeology and drew Bear Field. I see in the GEM a footpath users. misty mornings. particular attention to the It adds: "The Trust was heading "Who cares about This is just the initial As for the remaining wild "senstitivity" of Bear Field. appalled to receive a copy of Cowbridge?" . preparation for the flowers and sedges, there is a Following the preparation a planning application for the I do for one. having lived development of the very good library in of the Cowhridge District construction of a leisure here for 40 years, and my remaining area of this once (Draft) Plan, the Trust says it centre at Bear Field itself." father was the Borough pretty field. Cowbridge. with books containing pictures of more wrote to the Vale of The Trust says it wrote to Agent until he died 23 years We know that a petition Glamorgan Borough Council the Council expressing age. So I care! organised by a few caring exotic flora. It upsets me to think that residents a couple of years requesting that the final plan "great concern at this major Tell me, why should young the field which I look out ago was successful in halting should include policies to threat to the largest surviving children want to look for upon from my sitting room or the development, but this safeguard the archaeological undisturbed area of Roman tadpoles and frogs and slow kitchen window each day is was only a postponement of heritage of the town. settlement. worms, and play in the to become another sports the enevitable as an appeal In March last year the The Trust has since been rushes and grasses, when held. has been launched by the Trust expressed concern over informed that work will start there are good clean concrete I enjoy the Athletic Club builders against this ruling proposals to develop Bear in September, despite having roads and asphalted play as it is just far enough from and I fear, this time they will Field for recreational pointed out that it would parks? purposes. Mr. Dowdell says need a minimum of 12 me. but I am involved in the succeed. i suppose, as is usual in they asked for a minimum of months for an adequate Historical Society and also So to your correspondent I 12 months prior to develop- Please turn to have an interest in the these circumstances a few would say, dear lady, stay Museum. changes will he made, a away and keep your fond So I want very much to see revision or two to the memories of this delightful that Bear Field is excavated area, or come soon and see it and if there are any interest once more before it is lost ing Roman Remains they finally among the mass of should by kept for us. and housing that will lie the future people. unrelieved from the St. 0 Cowbridge should be Athans road at Eastgate to made a tourist attraction and the A48 in the West. keeping any Roman or Medieval discoveries would All that will remain of your bring the people who are beloved Bowmans Well will interested in such things lie under a manhole cover in here. someone's back garden. 1 was a little involved in helping with some of the A.J. Biggs, work done on the David Wolffe Close, John Site. So do please consider all of Cowhridge. us who want to keep Cow- bridge's past, even if it is only a little bit. a small wall, just to prove the “Romans were Here”. VIVENNE WHYTHE Flat 3, Somerset House, Eagle Lane, COWBRIDGE. ‘Builders ‘Historic P led g e c n wreak well ruined’ historic well havoc’ One Sunday recently I decided to take a walk and Dear Sir, I was very inter Sir, Returning to the subject my steps led me to the ested to read the letter from of Bowman's Well—will we Verlands, to have a look at Vivienne Hyther about the be forever doing so? Bowmans Well, and what a historic Bowman’s Well in I presume that now the pitiful sight confronted me Cowbridge. She no doubt developers have tarmacked —some more of Cowbridge's expresses the worries of the footpath and planted one history spoilt as a result of many people living in Cowb tree amidst some earth, buildings. ridge and the fact that when surmounting the pile of The old well has served yet another development rubble, they now consider men who have lived here for emerges, then history is rap the area ‘tidied up’. centuries and no doubt St. idly destroyed, together with Beyond the earth and tree Quentin's Castle and the the natural habitat of flora and the rubble constantly houses around there, up until and fauna. tumbling into the stream the pumped water was brought Well is as disgraceful as it 1 myself walked the area in. ever was and sickening to recently and was equally see. There were also bcautilul appalled at the destruction in What does it take to make watercress beds there, now it and around Bowmans’s Well. developers repair the has all been destroyed by the Members of the History damage they create and developers who have taken Society, and indeed all con indeed, stop some of them away the nice stones which cerned, will be interested to raging havoc wherever they formed the basin and put in a know that I immediately have authority to build? concrete monstrosity, to say contacted the appropriate A petition is being lodged nothing of the paint tins and members of our Planning and with the Vale of Glamorgan an old chair which has been Conservation department for Planning Department to thrown in. the Vale who are doing their protest against the further It is now just another utmost to ensure that the building of 20 bungalows on stream. situation is rectified. Plea for the green and between the I hope this will be taken I sincerely hope they suc Verlands and Bowmans Well note of by those who are ceed, but if no improvement Estates. responsible and that they will is seen within a short period ' chimney restore it. Individual letters of of time, then you can be sure protest should be sent to the History is being destroyed l shall nor let the matter rest. pots by the march of progress Director of Planning especially here in Cowb- Councillor Doris A. Thomas. Once again I climb into the Services, V.G.B.C., Holton ridge. WolfTe Close, saddle of my hobby horse Road, Barry, immediately, It is not the only well that Cowbridge. and ride out in defence of with reference to Plan No. has disappeared, the Silver the disappearance of 83/0227. Well near Bear Lane was Cowbridge’s history. Your support is another one. No. this time my target is desperately needed now. Vivienne Hythe, not planners and developers, Councillor Doris A. Thomas, Member of the Cowbridgc but the taking down of the WolfTe Close, History Society. Victorian chimney pots on Cowbridge. lop of the Edmundes Arms. It is a pity they could not have been put-back as they were originally. No doubt they had to be taken down during repairs but with these gone its another small nail in the coffin of Cowbridgc’s history. May I congratulate Mr David John on his delightful restoration of the Vcriteys Court. It has enhanced Cowbridge and when the old Barn has been restored it will be even more delightful with its pretty garden and little shops Next is the door to "Robert Bakers." I hope that black paint will be cleaned off in due course, and once again we can see what was a pretty Georgian Porch. As for building in Cowbridge, we have reached saturation point. Is it not time to call a halt. Llanhlcthian too. is getting an urban sprawl, not a country market town anymore. Vivienne Whythe. Member Local History Society, Somerset House, Eagle Lane, Cowbridge. n&if
HOUSING SHOCK ‘Token’ Future of Cowbridge £360 ‘back in melting pot’ for digs G a te w a y The whole future of develop a chance to object—and the Asked for a grant of £25.(KM). ment in Cowbridge has been result could be the forcing of by the Glamorgan-Gwent settled thrown back in the melting another public inquiry. Archaeological Trust, Mid pot. The inspector’s report can Glamorgan's planning a t £7,500 The inspector who conducted be inspected at libraries and committee is recommending a public inquiry into the council offices in Cowbridge a token grant' of £360. In the Cowbridge Athletic Club has Cowbridge Local Plan has and Barry, or can be bought year ending March 1984 the refused the Vale Council's come down in favour of from the Barry Council HO Trust had an income of offer of £5,000 for an access housing on a bitterly opposed for £1. £503,115. to the proposed leisure site at Aberthin. The inspector comes out in But expenditure totalled centre in Bearfield. He also says he sees no favour of the smaller size £519,181, giving a deficit of The Club has reduced their reason why the green area housing backed by the £16.066. asking price fo £7,500 plus between the town hall car borough council and Cow The committee was told the Council re-aligning the park and the by-pass should bridge with Llanblethian that the majority of the club's gates. not be given over to housing. Town Council. Trust's work is in Gwent. The Vale Council arc now The Leisure Services Storm An application for £6,000 caught in a cleft stick. has been made to South chairman and vice chairman If they stick to their But his other ideas are authorised acceptance of Glamorgan County Council original plan, they arc likely to cause a storm of and West Glamorgan are in their counter offer, plus obliged to “give a clear protest. the process of approving a payment of the club's legal explanation of their reasons • He comes out in favour of expenses. grant of £9,215. for doing so". developing the highly If they adopt the inspect controversial Court Close or's recommendations they site at Aberthin. will be obliged to give people He suggests reducing the planned 9-acre estate off the St. Athan Road by three acres, and compensating by also building houses behind the town hall. He says of the St. Athan Road site: “No dwellings will VILLAGE FARM, BONVILSTON (First affect the skyline of Primrose JOHN DAVIO i - i ' i i V iiM - vi, ik M iit s u advertisement). A modern detached house of Hill or Stalling Down". pleasing georgian style set in semi-rural The inspector. Mr. J.F.A. W a tts & surroundings conveniently located for all Lees, accepted the pleas of amenities. The property has full central heating Cowbridge History Society M o r g a n and double glazing. Accommodation comprises:- to include Llanblethian Hill, Entrance Hall, Cloakroom/w.c with shower, with its iron age fort, in the Lounge, Dining Room, Study, fitted Kitchen/ Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Master Bedroom area to be protected for its with en suite Bathroom, 3 further Bedrooms and landscape value. family Bathroom. Double garage. Gardens to front, He also considers the side and rear totalling approximately 1/5th acre. Verlands proposed extension ______Freehold.______site should be similarly VILLAGE OF CORNTOWN, Vale of Glamorgan protected for the period of (First advertisement). A particularly attractive the plan—up to 1991. detached traditional bungalow set in an imposing And he rejects the case by elevated position with delightful views. Full NASH MANOR GARDENS, COWBRIDGE. An the Housebuilders Feder central heating and double glazing. Porch, individually designed and most interesting ation that the basic policy of Reception Hall, Drawing Room, Study, Dining detached family residence in a secluded location Room, Fitted Kitchen, Principal Bedroom with en the borough council—not to within easy reach of all amenities. The amount of suite Bathroom, 2 further Bedrooms and Bathroom. permit any residential accommodation offered is undeniably surprising Utility Room, Double garage. Delightful gardens of development other than sites and can only be appreciated by personal approximately 1 acre. Freehold. £88,000. already allocated, or infill inspection. Thjis comprises:- Reception Hall, Cloaks/Shower Room, Drawing Room, Dining ing—was "too restrictive". Room, Family Room, Study, Kitchen/Breakfast Leisure Centre shock— Room, Utility Area, Main Bedroom and Dressing See Page 23 Room, 3 further double bedrooms and Bathroom. Full central heoting. Double gaarage. Mature gardens extending to approximately 1/3 acre. ______Freehold £89,000______TY GWYN, BROADWAY, LLANBLETHIAN (First advertisement). An extremely well presented CAE REX, LLANBLETHIAN A deceptively detached house in a most convenient location spacious and well-appointed detached dormer within walking distance of the town centre. Easily bungolow in a quiet residential location and with managed accommodation comprises Porch, Hall, excellent views to the rear. Full gas central Through Lounge, Separate Dining Rom, Fitted heating. Entrance Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, Bothroom/w.c. Gas fired Kitchen, Shower Room, Bathroom and 3 Bedrooms central heating and most windows double glazed. on the ground floor, plus 2 Bedrooms and Shower Easily managed gardens - the property is on a Room on 1st floor. Garage Pleosont garden corner plot. Freehold. £58,750.______enjoying privacy. Freehold. £69,950 81 HIGH STREET. COWBRIDGE Intimely blow to plan for centre ic inspector's firm a start on building the centre. ‘M ove leisure centre back :ommendation that the This has now been sched ing of the leisure centre uled to begin early next ould be moved back to near month. But the inspector’s next to the school' ; comprehensive school view is actually in line with Another controversial He adds that the aim of the the Plan. mes in the same week as the the policy document which suggestion by the inspector Plan to provide a wide choice He also suggests that the lie Council prepare to make was put before him! who conducted the public of housing is right. grazing land to the east of the inquiry in the Cowbridge Geraints Way estate should Local Plan is that the Vale He says that extension of not be preserved “because Council were wrong to move the St. Athan Road site—or the most prominent feature the planned leisure centre to extensions at Brookfield in this area is the dense mass the Bear Field. Park, Slade Farm, or the of housing on the slope He says: “ There has been Verlands—are “not re leading up to the Llantwit no objection to its siting near quired" during the period of Major road.” the comprehensive school, and no clear indication was given at the public inquiry as IÌS 4 - to why they changed their plans. “ I see advantages in siting indoor sports facilities close to the existing and proposed outdoor sports activities, but I also see advantages in siting it near the school. “ Pupils could participate in the use of the facilities and its closeness to the school would encourage dual use of the facilities of the school. Although the Vale Council has now passed planning permission for the leisure centre at Bear Field, the inspector recommends that the original siting near the school, still listed in the Local Plan, should stand. The inspector also comes out strongly in favour of smaller units on all new estates. He recommends changing the wording of policy to "a presumption in favour of each housing site containing a proportion of housing for small households". But, while he says he shares the concern of the council over providing homes which younger people can afford, he came out against them filling the two sites allocated for development at Aberthin Lane. Aberthin, and St. Athan Road, Cowbridge. He argues: “Such a development adjacent to open hillsides would do nothing but harm the attract ive char-trier of the two settlements.”
WOODWISE WESTGATE C o w b rid g e 4 9 5 8 /3 2 9 9
Dining & Kitchenware Toys § Games • Puzzles Wooden Boxes § Jewellery Fencing • Gates • Sheds. ‘‘Daggers drawn” over leisure
■ Feared delays over the leisure centre have brought centre suggestion at a Vale meeting that what Cowbridge needs is more of Cowbridge councillors to the the Borough Council, he feels a community hall than the sports that will have established that his “daggers drawn” stage with and elisure facilities sought for worries on this score have been the Vale council. years. proved. The Mayor of Cowbridge with Coun. David Busher has He said: “There seems to be Llanblethian Town Council, pointed out that Bo vis can somethig happening at County Coun. John Jones, even feels that produce a purpose built leisure level about the leisure centre, bul there has been a breakdown in centre for £650,000, and the things are falling apart at district communications between the two Town Council thought it had level.” councils. been agreed that the- Sports The Vale council has scrapped He has suggested that a Council for Wales would draw, monthly meeting is needed many of the planned facilities, the attention of the Vale between himself, the Deputy after discovering that the authority to this. Mayor and chairmen of comm estimated cost of £875,000 had ittees on one side, and Vale shot up to £1,263,000. Town councillors now fear that councillors bn the other. What has incensed Cowbridge the iurther; delays will end with If the proposal is rejected by representatives, however, is a the centre never being built.
’people of Cowbridge had ushed to the back of the at for a leisure centre for • £ 2 cut-back ‘ssed at a recent meeting îh Llanblethian Town Leisure centre plans Coun. Alun Rees made the remark after hearing a report from the drastically slashed Many of the facilities planned Mayor, Coun. David not have the money. for Cowbridge’s new leisure But they resisted sug Busher, in which he said • centre, to be built on Bear ions that a community that South Glamorgan Field, have been axed because would be sufficient. County Council want to of soaring costs. Axed are: _____ spread the amount of Told that the cost had risen 1. The lesser hall and stage money spent in building from the estimated £875,000 area—saving ££80,000; the centre over three to £1,263,000, Vale coun- 2. The rifle range financial years. cillorshave decided on a —£52,000; drastic cut-back. 3. Portable stage, sliding But the anger expressed by partition and retractable^ various members of the council The leisure services at the meeting abated some committee has decided that a seating—£50,000; what when they realised that number of items have to be 4. All finishings, furniture.^1 the proposals did not mean that drastically pruned, or axed and fittings to the first floor, the centre would not be com altogether, because they do including the lift, kitchen and pleted until the end of 1985, but bar equipment and that a small proportion of the This will bring the total cost money needed would have to down by £270,000, back to partition—£61,000; come out of the financial year £893,000. Cut back are: beginning in April. 1. Reduced size equipn store and plant ri The Mayor reported td coun —£42,000; cil members that a meeting had 2. Reduced area for been held between representa tives of the Vale of Glamorgan changing room and cafeteria" Borough Council, South Gla —£15,000; morgan County Council and 3. Less road and car himself, the Town Clerk and parking work—£6,000. Coun. Matthews in August. Coun. John Cotti He told members that the chairman of the firianil final problems concerning the leisure centre appeared to have committee said the origii been resolved that very after scheme had been too grand noon, apart from one condi iose. tion. But he said it had always He said that South Glamor been the intention to provide gan had wanted there to be a leisure centre and not just a indefinite free use of the Lei “ meeting place”. sure Centre but the Vale The plans now go before a council had raised objections. However it had been agreed special sub committee and the that the matter be reviewed in finance committee—and a three years time. start date has still to be “ With that obstacle agreed in the row over the apparently overcome the Vale site’s achaeological value. . 1 of Glamorgan seen quite happy ; r»r*r4 ora» — - ' Cowbridge leisure centr allocated cash for start Work is to start at long last people of the «!?*»•».* I* on the leisure centre tor when it was given to then Cowbridge in Bear Field— a charitable truvl provided there Is ho further In 1976, the tvnmmi delay over getting the land. council» In Wcl»h M !»•«* The Vale Leisufe Services and Pcndoylan *»k