Plans to impose resident-only parking restrictions on roads surrounding Cowbridge Town Hall car park are to proceed with some amendments following a public consultation.

Middlegate Court and Middlegate Walk residents will be issued permits enabling them to park outside their homes and elsewhere within the zone.

They will be able to apply for one permit per car registered to their address and one additional visitor pass per household. The permits will be issued free of charge.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council say they are introducing the policy to prevent those seeking to avoid impending Town Hall Car Park Charges.

Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, visitors will have to pay to pay £2 for up to four hours or £6 for all day parking.

The Council say this will lead to visitors parking on nearby roads to avoid the charges - a problem the resident-only restrictions will resolve.

A consultation that ran from 22 April until 14 May received one letter of objection and two of support from Middlegate residents.

The objector asserted that the cost of implementing the scheme (£25,000 for 2021/22)) would be better spent elsewhere.

The Council replied to this, saying: "It is anticipated that the costs of introducing resident parking will be offset by future income from parking charges.

"It is also considered that the costs are a small price to pay in order to avoid future disruption and inconvenience that will otherwise be suffered by residents living in streets likely to be affected by drivers seeking to avoid paying future parking charges in the town."

The letters of support both agreed that the proposals are necessary measures to prevent a surge in on-street parking once the Town Hall car park regime is put in place.

Identical resident-only zones are being implemented in Cosmeston, Penarth, where twelve letters of objection were received.

Due to such letters, the following amendments have been made to the original policy. They will also apply in Cowbridge.

1. Lost permits will be replaced once, free of charge, but any subsequent replacement permits will be issued at charge. (Original plans stated "lost permits will not be replaced in normal circumstances").

1. Motor caravans and camper vans will be eligible for a resident parking permit as long as the vehicle is registered at the property. (Initial plans stated such vehicles were not eligible).

Previously the Vale Council said that the parking charges set to come into effect at Cowbridge Town Hall car park are designed to help local businesses.

Cllr Peter King, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport, said: "The introduction of car park charges at these locations has been the subject of lengthy engagement, consultation and debate.

"There continues to be free parking available in Cowbridge town centre on-street, and off-street, and the introduction of charges in Town Hall car park, Cowbridge is designed to increase turnover of spaces, which should help local businesses."