Plans to build nearly 1,000 homes in Porthcawl have been branded "disgusting" and risk turning the town into a "concrete jungle". More than 900 houses are planned for the seaside town on land encompassing the amusement park, Griffin Park, and Sandy Bay. The plans also include a new road and expanded educational facilities.
The proposals were met with a mixed reaction from business owners and residents this week with some welcoming the development and others saying it could be harmful to the community and completely reshape the seafront. Councillor Neelo Farr said the plans "represent an exciting and important step in unlocking the potential of the waterfront area" but others said they would rather see new leisure facilities than more housing.
WalesOnline readers have hit back at the plans with some calling them "disgusting" and saying the land should be redeveloped for the community's benefit. One reader, Paul Wiggins, said the plans would not make the best use out of the area, which is one of the most popular beach destinations in south Wales. He said: "Porthcawl is and could become even more of a vibrant seaside town, offering facilities for both residents and tourists alike. Currently these plans by Bridgend County Borough Council seem to just want to make Porthcawl a dormitory town full of housing."
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Other readers shared similar sentiments and called for Porthcawl to expand its entertainment offering rather than build more houses. Rachel Spicer said: "How about spending money and making it like Barry Island – a splash park for kids, skate park, places to sit all along [the] seafront. Porthcawl fair and seafront should be kept as a seaside resort, not a housing estate!"
Betty Gargan agreed that the town should be modernised for all ages, saying: "It’s a seaside town – modernise it with splash parks and play themes for families. Help to bring in the visitors and much revenue to help the businesses keep going. Don’t turn [it] into another concrete jungle."
Lorna Leek said she feared the plans would make Porthcawl "basically a second home developments area for the super-rich because locals won't be able to afford to buy them". Other readers said they feared more housing would throw the future of long-running attractions such as the famous Elvis Festival into jeopardy and turn Porthcawl into a "ghost town".
Kelly Aikman said: "There’s already enough parking problems around Porthcawl and this would only make things worse! They need to make a park and ride facility to combat these problems."
Reader Maria Griffiths said she was concerned about the fact the development would run alongside the previously-announced construction of a new Aldi store on Salt Lake car park’s north side. She said: "The houses will be far too expensive for the youngsters and local young families on a seafront location. Also, why build an Aldi on prime seafront location when could [have] been built on one of the roundabouts further up the road?"
Heidi Jones added that Porthcawl "needs more than the seaside to keep it a vibrant seaside town," adding: "Flooding the front with 900 homes seems ludicrous. What about keeping some lovely open space for proper use? There is surely something better that can be done to improve the town."
