Cowbridge: Making the Plan

Here is the video of the launch of Cowbridge Placemaking

📅 Date: 08 July 2025

📍 Location: Upstairs Room, Town Hall Cowbridge

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Local residents, Town Council members, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader

Facilitators: Cowbridge Town Council & Vale of Glamorgan Council

🙋 Type of engagement: Launch event with speeches, exhibition panels, and informal discussions

What We Did

• Shared the Cowbridge Placemaking Plan, which sets out ideas for making Cowbridge a sustainable and vibrant town.
• Explained the background: Cowbridge led the way in Placemaking since May 2023, with plans now approved by the Town Council and Vale Cabinet.
• Highlighted community involvement: Residents, schools, and local groups helped shape the plan through engagement activities.
• Presented Opportunity Areas for future projects, based on what the community said they need.
• Invited attendees to view exhibition boards and discuss ideas over refreshments.

Summary

The Cowbridge Placemaking Plan has been launched. This plan is about making Cowbridge a great place to live now and in the future. It focuses on:

• What people love about Cowbridge.
• What improvements are needed for a sustainable community.
• Projects that can be delivered by the council, partners, and local groups.

Speakers thanked everyone who took part in shaping the plan and stressed that this is the start of the next phase—turning ideas into action.

Key messages from the event:

• “Placemaking is about working together to make Cowbridge better for everyone.”
• “This is the beginning, not the end, of the journey.”
• “Community voices have shaped this plan.”

The launch marks the move into the implementation phase, where projects will start to take shape. So watch this space?

📅 Date: Various dates within 2024

📍 Location of Engagements: Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Y Bont Faen Primary, Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, Coronation Picnic, Library, Leisure Centre, Filco

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Schools, pupils, residents, general public

🙋 Type of engagement:

• Workshops, drop-in sessions, and informal conversations.
• Map exercises and questionnaires.
• Focus on youth spaces, sports facilities, and park improvements.

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Youth Provision: Spaces for teens to meet, play sports, and socialise.
• Sports Facilities: Modern pitches, upgraded MUGA.
• Safety & Maintenance: Clean ramps, fix broken equipment, better lighting.
• Community Spaces: Sheltered seating, and areas for events.

💬 Comments

“Make the skate park concrete and add more ramps.”

“We need a 4G football pitch or better goals.”

“There’s nothing for older kids"

“Shelter area for sitting and chatting would be great.”

“Skate park needs updating - rusty ramps.”

📢 Summary

Everyone we spoke to liked Bear Field’s location; green spaces, and existing sports areas, but most said facilities are old, needs upgrading, and there are not enough spaces for teenagers.

Top requests included:

• Upgrade the skate park (make it concrete, add ramps, improve safety).
• Better football and rugby pitches (Astro/4G surfaces, proper goals, lighting).
• Sheltered seating areas for hanging out.
• More activities for teens (basketball court, climbing wall, pump track).
• Cleaner, safer spaces (improve maintenance, add bins).

📅 Date: 07 November 2024

📍Location: Town Hall, Cowbridge

The Cowbridge Draft Placemaking Plan consultation involved over a week of discussions and engagement with the residents of Cowbridge and surrounding villages.

Attendees could view the draft plan and meet the team to discuss ideas and share feedback with the Placemaking team.

📅 Dates: 08 and 11 - 15 November 2024

📍 Locations: The Old Hall - History Room, Waitrose, Cowbridge Library, Barry Leisure Centre,

📢 What we did : To make sure everyone had a chance to get involved, we engaged the community across multiple locations in Cowbridge (the Library, Leisure Centre, and Waitrose). These events featured information boards with QR codes and web links to complete the survey about the draft Placemaking Plan.

This information was also available for a longer period online, so everyone had a chance to have their say, and take time to think about their feedback on the opportunities for Cowbridge.

📅 Date: 10 October 2024

📍 Location: Cowbridge Comprehensive School

🗣️ Who we spoke to: 318 students (Years 7–13)

Facilitators: Vale Youth Team & Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of activity: Six-box voting exercise using “monopoly money”

• We summarised initial feedback in to six themes, students were given three £100 notes of play money and asked to “spend” them on the themes they felt were most important. This interactive approach encouraged participation and great discussions between students.

🚀 Themes ranked by student voting:

1. Public Transport And Connectivity (26%)
2. Upgrading And Maintenance of Sports Facilities and Recreational Areas (26%)
3. Affordable Food And Clothes Shops For Youth (22%)
4. New And Improved Youth-Friendly Spaces 18%
5. Community Buildings and Social Spaces 0.05%
6. Other 0.03%

💬 Comments:

“We need better Wi-Fi and internet coverage everywhere.

”There are no buses from Rhoose to Cowbridge – I have to rely on lifts if I stay after school.”

“Shops are too expensive – we need places where young people can afford clothes and food.”

“We need more spaces for football and rugby – and better upkeep of existing facilities."

📢 Summary:

The activity worked well and encouraged discussion it was clear that the pupils of Cowbridge Comprehensive wanted better connectivity in the town, which consisted of Wi-Fi and transport provision and upgrading and maintenance of sports facilities and recreational areas like Bear Field or Police fields.

📅 Date: 7 October 2024

📍 Location: Cowbridge Comprehensive School

🗣️ Who we spoke to:Years 7–13 students (144 participants)

🙋 Type of engagement: Interactive “Two Boxes” voting exercise using monopoly money to prioritise themes.

The aim was to identify young people’s priorities for community improvements in a fun and interactive way. Instead of surveys, students used “monopoly money” to vote on themes, making the process engaging and accessible.

👥 Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers supported by the Vale Youth Team

🚀 Emerging Themes

Students voted on two main priorities:

Sports Facilities – 60% of votes (£34,400)

• Requests included an upgraded MUGA, more football and rugby pitches, volleyball courts, astro pitch, swimming pool, and better equipment.
• Students want spaces that are open to everyone and suitable for all ages.

Bad Weather Shelters – 40% of votes (£23,200)

• Suggested locations included Bear Field, Police Fields, Waitrose Park, wooded areas by the river, school grounds, Clare Gardens, and Town Hall.

Other ideas mentioned: Wi-Fi improvements, active travel routes, public transport, and youth clubs or indoor spaces.

💬 Comments

“We need more space for football and rugby – Bear Fields should have pitches for all ages.”

“Shelters near Bear Fields and Police Field would make a big difference when it rains.”

“We’d like places to hang out and do fun stuff, not just sports.”

📢 Summary:
Young voices are clear: Cowbridge needs better sports facilities and safe, sheltered spaces for young people. Students also expressed interest in improved connectivity, indoor and outdoor social spaces, and more leisure options. This fun, interactive session allowed students to help shape the future of their town with more themes added next time.

📅 Date: Numerous dates - (17, 19, 23, 25 & 26 September 2024, 01, 02 Oct sessions)

🗣️📍 Location: Cowbridge School (Primary School) Who we spoke to: Young people, staff and families

Facilitators: Vale Youth Service Team and Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:

🚀 Top Emerging Themes from Student Feedback

1. Lack of Youth-Friendly Spaces and Activities

• Students said there aren’t enough places to hang out indoors without spending money. They would like access to cinemas, arcades, bowling alleys, and more social spaces.
• There’s a strong demand for dedicated, centralised youth spaces—places to meet, especially in bad weather. Suggested locations include near the leisure centre, Bear Fields, or central town areas.

2. Public Transport Limitations

• Unreliable and infrequent buses—especially in the evenings—make it hard to get into town. Many suggested a train station or better bus links to nearby areas.
• They would like cheaper, more frequent bus services, safer walking routes, and more cycle lanes.

3. Need for Improved Leisure and Sports Facilities

• A swimming pool was the most requested facility. Students also want more affordable and varied sports options beyond what the leisure centre offers.

4. Upgrades to Outdoor Spaces

• The skate park and MUGA needs an upgrade. Students asked for better ramps, safety features, and seating at Bear Field, plus improvements to the MUGA for more flexible use.
• Suggestions included adding new facilities like 3G pitches and youth centres.

5. More Retail and Affordable Food Options

• Students want more affordable, youth-friendly cafes and shops. Popular requests included McDonald’s, Subway, Primark, Starbucks, clothing stores, and bubble tea shops, plus spaces to sit and socialise.

6. Safety and Lighting Concerns

• Poorly lit areas around the underpass, skate parks, and Bear Fields make students feel unsafe, especially at night. They called for better lighting and safer pedestrian crossings.

📢 Summary:

These themes show a clear desire for better transport, more leisure opportunities, and youth-friendly spaces to make Cowbridge a vibrant place for all generations.

📅Date: 29 April 2024

📍Location: Ysgol Iolo Morganwg

🙋 Type of engagement:

• Workshop with Years 4, 5, and 6
• Children filled in question sheets and discussed ideas in groups.
• Session delivered bilingually (Welsh and English).

🗣️Who we spoke to: Around 30 pupils.

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers.

🚀 Emerging themes:

• Youth & Family Spaces: Parks for older children, new soft play, gymnastics areas.
• Facilities: Swimming pool, more restaurants, better leisure centre.
• Environment: Cleaner streets, more bins, recycling, less smoking areas.
• Connectivity: Better Wi-Fi and mobile signal, bike-friendly paths.
• Community Feel: Keep local shops, add more history and cultural activities.

💬 Comments:

“More places for children to walk after school—parks and safe spaces.”

“Everything is too expensive—shops and parking.”

“People smoking and vaping everywhere—it’s horrible.”

“Better Wi-Fi and cycling lanes please!”

“We want more restaurants and fun places to go and do - trampoline parks.”

📢 Summary

The children love Cowbridge's shops, cafes, parks, and the Physic Garden, and they enjoy having a library and leisure centre so close. But they think Cowbridge needs more family spaces, better parks for older kids, and fun activities.

They also want a swimming pool, cycling lanes, better Wi-Fi, and more bins. Many said things are too expensive, and there’s not enough choice of children shops or restaurants. They care about clean streets, less smoking/vaping, and safer roads for bikes and walking.

📅 Date: 22 March 2024

📍 Location: Filco, Cowbridge

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Filco shoppers (local residents, workers, families).Approx. 40–50 participants.

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:

• Drop-in engagement in Filco foyer (12pm–6pm).
• Activities included:
  • Map exercise (green/blue stickers for liked areas, red stickers for disliked areas).
  • Informal one-to-one conversations and questionnaires.
  • Distribution of QR codes and hardcopy surveys to promote the online placemaking questionnaire.

🚀 Emerging themes:

• Connectivity: Safer crossings, active travel routes, reliable bus services.
• Youth Provision: Better Park equipment and spaces for teenagers.
• Heritage & Identity: Preserve historic features and individuality of shops.
• Infrastructure: Address traffic, parking, drainage, and speed control (Aberthin).

💬 Comments

“Love the unique quality of the town and its heritage—keep it this way.”

“Storm drains need clearing before they clog up.”

“Aberthin traffic too fast—speed bumps needed.”

“The more you build up an area, the more it loses its identity and appeal.”

“Parks are for under 12s—need more for 12–16 year olds.”

📢 Summary

The session successfully raised awareness of the placemaking survey and gathered useful insights. Connectivity emerged as the top priority, followed by youth provision and cultural/recreational facilities.

Majority of feedback reflects a community proud of its heritage and green spaces but keen to improve connectivity, safety, youth facilities, and infrastructure while maintaining Cowbridge’s identity.

📅 Date: 20^th & 22^nd March 2024

📍 Location: Cowbridge Leisure Centre

🙋 Type of engagement:

• Drop-in engagement during after school and early evening.
• Distributed QR codes to website and hardcopy questionnaires.
• Meeting and speaking to community members using the facilities (including playing fields and skate park).

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Local residents -Around 40 people each day

Facilitators: Placemaking Officer

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Youth Provision: More sports facilities, skate park improvements, and indoor spaces.
• Recreational Facilities: Better leisure centre equipment and warm spaces with Wi-Fi.
• Community Engagement: People are happy to share ideas and get involved in Placemaking.

💬 Comments

“Indoor climbing wall.”

“The skate park needs upgrading.”

“More indoor spaces with Wi-Fi would be great.”

“Happy to share ideas when asked—good to see this happening."

📢 Summary

Top requests included:

• New 4G football pitch
• Upgrade MUGA
• Upgraded skate park.
• Indoor climbing wall.
• Indoor facilities and warm spaces with Wi-Fi.

Residents have highlighted the need for more spaces and activities for young people as a key priority. While the Leisure Centre remains popular, many feel that the equipment could be improved and expanded to better serve all age groups. In particular, the Soft Play equipment could be improved and updated, and families would love to see fresh, modern facilities introduced to create a more enjoyable experience for children and young people alike.

📅 Dates: 13 March & 20 March 2024

📍 Location: Cowbridge Library

🙋 Type of engagement:

• Drop-in engagement during library community classes (Toddler group, Knitting group etc).

• Activities included:

  • Map exercise (mapping what you like/dislike about places).
  • Informal questionnaires and conversations.
  • “Hopes and Dreams” tree mapping with parents/carers.
  • Distribution of QR codes and hardcopy surveys for the placemaking questionnaire.

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 60 people across both sessions.

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Coucil Placemaking Officers

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Youth & Toddler Provision: More playgroups 0-3, new soft play equipment, and youth centres.
• Connectivity & Safety: Safer crossings, active travel paths, better bus services, better Wi-Fi .
• Community & Culture: Save High Street, support local businesses, more social events.
• Infrastructure: Affordable housing, improved leisure centre, improved transport links.

💬 Comments

“Lovely place to live – but nothing for 0–3 years compared to other areas.”

“We need a swimming pool and better leisure facilities.”

“Waitrose entrance and car park need addressing.”

“Families first activities get booked up straight away – need more provision for children activities.”

“Connectivity is poor – better paths and transport links needed.”

“Support independent businesses and advertise local markets.”

📢 Summary

What Residents Value in Cowbridge

The people we spoke to told us they love Cowbridge’s strong community spirit, its welcoming library, beautiful green spaces, and vibrant shops.

Opportunities to Improve Cowbridge:

At the same time, residents highlighted areas where change is needed:

• Facilities for toddlers, young people, and families could be expanded and improved.
• Pedestrian access to Waitrose was described as unsafe.
• Connectivity across the town remains poor.
• There is a shortage of affordable housing.
• Activities for all ages are limited.
• Parking challenges continue to frustrate visitors and locals.
• The closure of banks has left empty buildings in the town centre.
• New housing developments are placing additional strain on local services.