The Vale of Glamorgan Council has unveiled new proposals regarding car parking in Cowbridge and the wider Vale after carefully considering residents' views on the matter.

Having listened to public consultation responses and comments made by the Council's Scrutiny committees, the latest plans for the next financial year represent a significant shift from what was previously outlined.

Under the proposals, which will be considered by the Council Cabinet on Monday, there will be:

• No charge for on-street parking within town centres.
• At least two hours of free parking in all existing town-centre car parks.
• No charge for on-street parking at any of our coastal resorts.
• No charge to park at Country Parks before 10 am.
• No charge for Residents Parking Permits to those eligible.

Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "I know how sensitive an issue car parking is within the community and we have paid close attention to residents' views when drafting these proposals.

"They include no plans to charge for on-street parking in town centres, meaning there should be no negative impact on local businesses. The creation of two shopper's car parks should mean a greater turnover of visitors to our two major shopping areas and we have made sure that there is free car parking in these locations for those who work there.

"Local residents will still be able to use our country parks free of charge early in the morning while standardising charges at coastal resort car parks recognises their year-round appeal."

In town centres, there are proposals to create two new Shoppers Car Parks at Wyndham Street in Barry and near the Town Hall in Cowbridge.

These would be free to use for up to two hours, cost £2 for a stay of between two and four hours, with a price of £6 for all-day parking.

The tariffs would apply six days per week, between Monday and Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm, with blue badge holders able to park for free.

Llantwit Major car parks will be subject to separate arrangements, which are currently being discussed with the Town Council.

Charges for coastal resort car parks, such as Barry Island, Southerndown, and Ogmore-by-Sea, will remain as they are for the summer months, with those rates extended to cover the entire year.

Annual Permits will be available for coastal resort car parks for the first time at a cost of £50 for six months and £100 for 12, with disabled persons again exempt from those charges. Bus and coach parking at resorts will be set at £30.00 all day.

At other coastal car parks, classed as non-resort, for example, Cold Knap and Bron y Mor in Barry, Cwm Colhuw in Llantwit Major, Cliff Walk and Llwyn Passat in Penarth, Portabello in Ogmore-by-Sea and West Farm in Southerndown, no charges will apply.

From 10 am until 8 pm between March and September and until 5 pm from October to February, it will cost £1 to park for up to two hours at either Porthkerry or Cosmeston Country Parks.

Between two and four hours will cost £2, while the charge for all-day parking would be £4. The proposed charge for bus and coach parking is £30.00 all day.

Parking permits will be available for six months at £30 or £50 for the year and can be used at either Country Park. Again, disabled persons with blue badges would park for free.

Where parking charges apply, modern solar-powered pay and display machines will be installed, with coin, chip and pin and contactless payment options. An improved mobile phone parking app is also being proposed.

No changes to the current Residents Parking Permit policy are proposed for 2020/21, which will remain free to eligible residents.

All existing Traffic Regulations will remain in force unless subject to separate consideration and consultation.

Monitoring of any potential displacement parking in the town centres or the areas surrounding the Country Parks will accompany the introduction of charges.

However, it is not currently proposed to introduce any additional traffic regulations, the need for any such steps will be assessed as necessary.

In the meantime, the appropriate signing will be installed in residential areas in the immediate vicinity of Cosmeston Country Park and Barry Island to deter displacement parking.

Leisure Centre Car Parks at Cowbridge, Barry and Penarth are subject to separate discussions with operating partner Legacy Leisure as part of ongoing contract negotiations.