Date: Tue 9th February, 2010
Venue: Copthorne Hotel, Copthorne Way, Cardiff, CF5 6DH
Number of Guests Attended: 120
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The Vale of Glamorgan has some great development opportunities in front of it, and improved transport links would help to complete the picture. Chief among those opportunities, said panelists at the Economic Forum, was the Defence Technical College (DTC) planned for St Athan.
Rhodri Traherne, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said the DTC was likely to proceed. But he added: “We have to make sure it is sensitive to local people’s views.”
Paul Halstead, principal of Barry College, said the DTC’s planned aerospace business park perhaps offered more opportunities if it went ahead. “Even though we have seen the plans shrink it is still something we must put our weight behind,” he said.
Most thought plans for a Severn Barrage would be shelved, certainly for the short term, and want to see transport links improved to allow the southern tip of Wales to capitalise on its potential. “If the barrage happens, it won’t be for a very long time,” said James Emery, managing director of COS Group. “With the college there are going to business opportunities and we must embrace it. But can the infrastructure cope?”
For Stuart Cole, transport professor at the University of Glamorgan Business School, the M4 motorway was the key, with a link road to the Vale the most important aspect. “On the barrage, my gut reaction is that it is not going to take place because it is too expensive. I don’t think it adds up.”
The panel offered hope that the former Bosch alternator plant at Miskin could be the site for future development. “There are opportunities after Bosch because the site is well connected and has potential,” said Cole. “In the longer term infrastructure projects being mentioned, including a link to the M4, improved access to Cardiff International Airport and a park and ride scheme could make it even more of an attraction.”
The relationship with Cardiff came under the spotlight, and it was agreed that the Vale should play to its strengths, which included being on the doorstep of the capital. It was not surprising that most of the development was close to the city, said Traherne, “But there may be opportunities for economic development to the west – near Bridgend – and that is something that will be addressed in the local development plan.”
He added his hopes that planning consent for the waterfront development in Barry would come through soon. “We have raised the bar there because it must be a quality development,” he said.
Looking to the future, Halstead saw huge opportunities but warned that the infrastructure had to be upgraded to take full advantage. Traherne said that in 20 years time he would like the area to boast a high quality environment with a wide range of recreational facilities for all ages. Emery also called for improvements to the quality of life and ability to live and work in the area, while Cole said better road and rail links would make a significant difference to the economy.
