Welsh Labour candidate and incumbent Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan Jane Hutt has urged the VOG Council to "reconsider" its plans to build a supermarket on the former cattle market site.

Ms Hutt says she has spoken to local businesses and residents who are opposed to the food retail application.

Objections to the proposals heard by Ms Hutt are that Cowbridge does not need another supermarket as it is already served by Tesco, Filco and Waitrose, the adverse impact on the town's independent businesses, the plans do not reflect the changing life and work styles caused by the pandemic and whether there is suitable infastructure at this site for a supermarket.

Ms Hutt said she believes there is a way forward "to develop a sustainable future for Cowbridge Market which does not include a Food Retail scheme as currently outlined in the Vale Council's proposals."

"I am therefore urging the Vale of Glamorgan Council to reconsider the Food Retail Supermarket proposals for the former livestock marketplace and engage with the Working Committee and local civic/business interests to consider options and alternatives," she said.

"I will do everything I cam to support such an initiative for the future prosperity of Cowbridge, its residents and businesses."

The Council say the proposal, which includes a public car park, aims "to improve the retail offer of Cowbridge town centre".

"It is anticipated a food retail scheme could create new jobs and increase retail spend within Cowbridge thereby boosting the local economy," reads the council report.

"Any proposals would be subject to any prospective developer proving (through a retail impact assessment) that there was enough capacity in the Cowbridge area to warrant this proposed use without significantly harming the Cowbridge town centre."

Read Jane Hutt's statement in full:

"I have been approached by many Cowbridge businesses and residents who are opposed to the proposal that a food retail application would be considered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council to be located at Cowbridge Market. I have met with business representatives and responded to residents and would like to feed back the specific reasons why this proposal is opposed.

"Firstly, there is the strong view that Cowbridge does not need another supermarket as it is already served by three supermarket – Tesco, Filco and Waitrose.

"The adverse impact of another major food retail business on local, specialist and independent businesses in the Town has been widely raised with me. This includes the local food outlets of baker, butcher, delicatessen, refill, confectionary, food and drink businesses which form a major attraction for visitors as well as local residents who are very supportive of the 'Shop Local' message which the Vale Council so positively promotes.

"In a highly competitive market at least two of these food outlets have to meet affordability needs for low income households.

"A major retail business will also adversely challenge other non food businesses in Cowbridge including the florists, pharmacy, newsagent, cards, books and gifts.

"Secondly, there is major concern about the impact on car parking in the town. The existing Market is used daily as a key car parking space despite its poor conditions due to the lack of car parking spaces in the town as a whole.

"I have heard from businesses that the members of their workforce who do not live in Cowbridge have great difficulty in parking in the town as it is.

"Improvements to the Butts area would be welcomed but would only fractionally improve the provision. Waitrose has a limited car parking space with restricted time limits for parking which limits opportunities for Waitrose shoppers to be able to visit other parts of the town during their shopping visits.

"The point has been made that existing public transport schedules are not sufficient to meet the working time expectations of businesses and their workforces in Cowbridge.

"Thirdly, there is a strong view emerging that locating a food retail business in the Town Market does not reflect the changing life and work styles we are adopting and embracing which I know the Vale Council shares.

"This includes promoting regeneration policies which seek to enhance high street and town centre models for 'Live and Work' options including high street Hubs for people to use as increasingly they will be working from home.

"This has become more evident as a work life choice as well as a business imperative. The impact of the pandemic on working lifestyles and the need to shape our town centre policies to embrace 'remote working' models has accelerated this change. However, we had already seen this developing in many towns including Barry in the Goodsheds development.

"Finally, concerns have been raised about the infrastructure requirements for a supermarket to be successfully located at the former livestock market.

"In terms of access for deliveries it is anticipated that residential lanes would have to be widened and there would be an adverse impact on the residential areas surrounding the Market. There also concerns that the Scout Hut and Cowbridge theatre CADS would be affected by this proposal.

"I understand a local working committee under the 'Keep Cowbridge Special' umbrella of local civic and business interests including the Town Charter Trust, as well as Residents groups and Chamber of Trade are liaising to mount a case coordinating and presenting the evidence against a food retail business for the Market.

"The Town Council has a key role to play as a consultee for any application that may be forthcoming. I understand the working committee is engaging with local expertise to carry out an independent 'Retail Needs/Impact Assessment' in anticipation of an application from a retail food developer or investor who would be obliged to carry on out to accompany a planning application.

"Over the years I have been involved in supporting a number of proposals developed by local civic/business and tourism operators for the future of the market and many of these proposals have included the opportunities to meet the needs of this ancient beautiful Town of Cowbridge as a visitor destination with a unique High Street attracting visitors but sustained by local people and businesses.

"I have also been engaged in discussions about the need for an alternative livestock market venue to be developed for our farming businesses to serve the Vale of Glamorgan and surrounding counties.

"I believe there must be a way forward building on longstanding partnerships of mutual interest to develop a sustainable future for Cowbridge Market which does not include a Food Retail scheme as currently outlined in the Vale Council's proposals.

"I am therefore urging the Vale of Glamorgan Council to reconsider the Food Retail Supermarket proposals for the former livestock marketplace and engage with the Working Committee and local civic/business interests to consider options and alternatives. I will do everything I cam to support such an initiative for the future prosperity of Cowbridge, its residents and businesses."