The Vale of Glamorgan Planning Committee has granted permission for a controversial new business park at Model Farm in Rhoose.

At the special meeting held yesterday, the development was approved by one vote, with nine votes for and eight against.

The Business Park proposes Class B1, B2 and B8 floorspace for businesses, car parking, landscaping, and drainage infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement through the gifting of land to Vale of Glamorgan Council to extend Porthkerry Country Park.

The land at Model Farm has been farmed by the Jenkins family since 1935. Gethin Jenkins told the meeting he is the third generation of his family to farm the land, which is currently used to rear beef cattle, grow cereals and grow wildflower seeds sold throughout Wales.

"My son will be the fourth generation at the farm if this development is rejected," said Mr Jenkins.

"The increase in bees and other pollinator insects in these fields has been truly amazing, and in the aftermath of Brexit it should be of paramount importance to secure a sustainable supply of homegrown food and thus reduce the carbon footprint and food miles of our goods.

"Taking away this productive farm goes against all these principles. Anything that could be built here, could also be built on a brownfield site within a three-mile radius.

"If you allow this development here, you will be putting the cart before the horse. You will not only be taking away my family's farming future and my son's home, you will be denying all future generations their right to see vibrant countryside on their doorstop. Once it's built on, it will be gone forever," he said.

Maxine Levett, also voiced her objections at the meeting. She said the proposals were not in line with the Vale Council's declared Climate Emergency and its response with Project Zero.

"If approved, I feel the proposals will negatively impact on council's work to protect and enhance our environment," said Ms Levett.

"Through Project Zero the council are looking to protect and enhance green space, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience and improve understanding of the importance of our natural environment.

"Model Farm is a progressive, thriving, and sustainable farm. Our planning policies and regeneration activities should support work to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the negative impact on the environment."

Darren Parker, on behalf of Legal and General, the applicant, said that development of the area was identified under "great scrutiny to avoid any great landscape impact".

"The delivery report submitted with the application explains the contributions the site can make to fulfil a supply of readily available and attractive employment land in the region. The site could accommodate thousands of jobs," said Mr Parker.

"Viability is a challenge but nevertheless, a plan has been set aside for a transport corridor from the railway to the airport and an active travel route along the Port Road.

"On balance the benefits of bringing forward the LDP allocation outweigh any harm. The resolution to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement will be another key step towards realisation he potential of the site that L and G has attempted to unlock in a responsible fashion."

Ward councillor Andrew RT Davies spoke at the meeting to ask the committee to reject the proposal.

Reacting to the approval of the development plans, he said: "This decision is disastrous for the people of Rhoose and West Barry, who had rightly raised concerns about the loss of agricultural land and the impacts on road congestion.

"There was just one vote in it, and permission was only granted after Labour and Independent councillors voted in favour. I firmly believe there were sufficient planning grounds to reject the application.

"We live in a very different world to the one when the site was first included in the Vale's Local Development Plan.

"When the plans were first brought forward, we were told the proposed M4 Junction 34 Relief Road would provide key transport infrastructure, but this will now not be built.

"The nearby St Athan Enterprise Park has just been put up for sale. The pandemic has hit demand for commercial office space, and these factors should have been taken into account."

Barry Town Council previously "strongly objected" to the proposal based on concerns over congestion, the environment, and practical constraints.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "The Council has approved a planning application from Legal and General for a business park at the Model Farm site, subject to a Section 106 agreement being signed.

"This land had been identified for this purpose in the Council's Local Development Plan.

"The views of all interested parties were taken into account by planning committee as part of the decision-making process. All letters of representation were fully considered and due regard was paid to factors relating to transport and the environment.

"A full explanation of the considerations that led to the decision can be found in a report on the Council's website."