Villagers fighting Lidl's plans to build a supermarket on green land between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes have taken their battle to the Welsh government, warning the store would blur the boundary between two communities and destroy the rural landscape.
The store, approved in 2024 by Vale of Glamorgan council, is proposed for land at a junction separating the towns. But an appeal was launched by residents who do not want it built, and during closing statements on Wednesday a series of objections were lodged.
“Villagers appeal Lidl store plan to Welsh government, warning it would blur boundary between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes.”
Sioned Davies, representing Countryside Matters which opposes the plans, told the hearing the development would cause “real and acknowledged harm” to the landscape. It would blur the distinction between Llantwit Major and Llanmaes, she said, resulting in “clear degradation of the rural environment”. The site, she added, would not be accessible on foot or by bike, doing “little to achieve” the council’s active transport goals. “The proposal is an unjustified major development in the open countryside… the benefits do not outweigh the harms,” she said.
John Barrett, speaking for Filco and Co-op supermarkets, said the proposed Lidl would be “out-of-centre” and change the “functional visual role of the site” irreversibly. “The site is not in a sustainable location and would be overly reliant on the use of private motorcars,” he added.
But Gregory Jones KC, for Vale of Glamorgan council, defended the approval. He called the proposal “a logical rounding off of Llantwit Major rather than an intrusion into untouched landscape”. Not much of the supermarket would be seen from Llanmaes because of a dip in the ground, he argued, and the road between the two villages provided a “strong physical separating function” that prevented erosion of their identities. He said Llanmaes needed a “modern discount supermarket”.
Douglas Edwards KC, for Lidl, said the supermarket would improve the community by cutting the need to shop in towns like Barry. The proposal, he added, would not cause “unacceptable harm to the countryside” and had “unprecedented” support from residents.
But locals were unconvinced. Gail Kirkham, 70, from Llanmaes, said: “All we’re trying to do is protect the countryside.” She stressed they were not against supermarkets but did not want one on that site.
Linda Christmas, 63, said: “It will fundamentally change the nature of the village, with the amount of traffic coming in and out, driving through the village, potentially, not just from the traffic light junction. Our concern is that we’ll end up joining up with Llantwit Major.”
Lidl’s Rhydian Griffiths said there had been “significant community support for a Lidl foodstore in this location”. The Welsh government will now decide the appeal.