PROPOSALS for 10 flats without parking, in Barry town centre, have been criticised.

Vale of Glamorgan and Barry town Buttrills ward councillor, Ian Johnson has voiced his opposition to the scheme which proposes that the old Midland Bank/HSBC at 33 Holton Road, on the Lombard Street junction, be converted into flats.

The plans would see an extension built to the rear of the current building and an extra floor added.

The ground floor shop, which was most recently Catwalk hairdressers, would be retained under the proposals.

Opposing the plans at Barry Town Council’s September planning committee meeting, Plaid Cymru councillor Ian Johnson said: “I have no problem with the well-established principle that the upper floors of Holton Road shops should become town centre housing.

“However, by adding an extra floor of housing and extending it as far back as possible to the lane behind, this is an over-development of the site which should be refused.

“Ten flats without any parking spaces makes no sense in an over-crowded street. There is limited space for bins and recycling and cramming as much housing as possible facing onto Lombard Street will dominate the view."

The Plaid Cymru councillor added: "The building owners should concentrate on keeping the rear parking area tidy and creating a sustainable town centre development from what is already a large building.”

The application will be considered by the Vale Council planning committee at a later date.