The Vale of Glamorgan Council is proposing to turn the site of the former livestock market into a food shop.

A Council report seeking approval to market the land for a "medium-sized food retailer" is scheduled to be heard in a cabinet meeting next Monday [8 February].

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 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.

"Subject to assessment it is anticipated a medium sized food retailer at this location would improve the retail offer of Cowbridge town centre, making it more resilient by reducing the need for residents to travel further afield to shop for food, which in turn is more environmentally sustainable.

"Considering the Conservation Area status of the site, an emphasis will be made on scheme designs being sensitive to the historic context of the land and its proximity to the Town Wall.

"Scheme designs will need to protect and enhance the Conservation Area."

The Council also owns the freehold interest in the adjoining land (which is not part of the proposed site disposal) on which the Scouts Hall and Cowbridge Amateur Dramatics hall are located.

The Council will retain rights of access across the site edged red in the proposal to access this adjoining land. Rights of access will also be protected to the Council's adjoining park land.

The report recommends the council approves a budget of £50,000 to cover the cost of internal technical salaries, marketing, advertising and promotion of the site as a development opportunity and site surveys.

It also proposes that the Council gives authority for part or all of the capital receipt generated to go towards the cost of the resurfacing and laying out of the car parking area alongside the Town Wall.

Read the full report HERE .