Filco – Public Engagement

📅 Date: 5 April 2024


📍 Location: Outside Filco


🗣️ Who we spoke to: ~50 members of the public (mixed ages)


Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers


🙋 Type of engagement: Street engagement & conversations


🚀 Emerging themes :

  • Positives:

Residents highlighted many things they value about the area, including its strong community spirit, friendly atmosphere, and low levels of crime. The town’s parks, green spaces, and unspoilt beach were seen as major assets, along with its peaceful surroundings and convenient free parking both in the town centre and at the beach.

People also appreciated the practical amenities available locally—such as the train station, dentists, hairdressers, independent shops, pubs, sports facilities, and the network of good walking paths that make it easy to enjoy the outdoors.

  • Concerns:

Residents raised a number of important concerns affecting daily life in the area. Key issues included the pressure created by temporary accommodation, the need to protect greenfield sites, and the sense that local infrastructure is not keeping pace with new housing development. Transport was highlighted as a particular challenge, with limited connectivity and infrequent services, alongside unsafe pedestrian access to the beach due to fast‑moving traffic.

Healthcare access remains difficult, with GP surgeries overstretched and many residents needing to travel to Barry for appointments. People also noted a lack of local shops—particularly for food and clothing—as well as several vacant units in the town centre.

Maintenance and cleanliness were recurring themes, including uneven pavements, overflowing dog bins, unswept roads, and blocked drains that contribute to flooding. Additional concerns included noise from nearby developments, limited provision for both young people and older residents, some drug‑related issues, and worries about unsafe or inconsiderate cyclist behaviour.

  • Next 5 years:

Community feedback highlighted a strong desire for managed, sustainable development alongside better transport options, including two buses and two trains per hour and reduced traffic speeds on routes to the beach. Residents expressed interest in a wider range of local amenities, such as an alternative supermarket, petrol station, hardware store, wine bar, and additional GP surgeries.

Improved services for both young people and older residents were seen as essential, along with an upgraded leisure centre. There was also support for modern infrastructure such as EV charging points, free public Wi‑Fi, and traffic‑calming measures like speed bumps. Creating more local job opportunities was another key priority for the years ahead.

💬 Comments:

“Transport is too infrequent for daily use.”

“We need more surgeries and safer walking routes to the beach.”

Summary:

Prioritise infrastructure before growth—improving transport frequency and safety, expanding healthcare capacity, strengthening retail and local services, and maintaining high‑quality public spaces.