A planning application to build a community cafe and permanent covered site for the farmers' market will be debated by the Vale of Glamorgan Planning Committee this month.

The land is currently used as a public car park at the junction of Westgate and The Butts in the settlement of Cowbridge.

Currently, a total of 34 letters of representation have been received, of which 27 object or have concerns with the application and 7 are in support of the application.

Residents and local councillors have listed concerns about whether the proposed development preserves the listed building and its setting and preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the conservation area.

A number of people also outlined the issues regarding a loss of parking in the town centre.

Other matters for consideration include, highway impacts and impacts on residential amenity, archaeology and drainage.

Concerns have also been raised about the negative impact on the setting of the adjacent Grade 2 Listed Building at The Market Place when viewed from Westgate and High Street.

Cllrs Cox and Cllr Jarvie raised an objection to the application as they consider it to be an inappropriate

design for a sensitive and important site within the Conservation Area.

Jane Hutt AM stated that: ''this is an exciting project which will provide Cowbridge with an important community facility, with a marketplace to sell local produce and a gathering area for community events.

''It has been carefully designed to blend in as far as possible with the existing buildings and makes good use of the site.''

Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP stated that he has been ''a longstanding supporter of the project'' and recognises that it has strong support in the local community, which includes the backing of the Chamber of Trade and the Town Council.

The report, that will be discussed by a full planning committee, recommends a refusal of the plans.

It states that the main issues in the consideration of this application relate to:

• The principle of the a market hall building and cafe

- whether the proposed development preserves the listed building, its setting or any

features of architectural or historic interest which it possesses; and

- whether the proposed development preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the conservation area.

• Other matters for consideration include, highway impacts and impacts on residential amenity