Food & Drink Festival







📅 Date: 10 June 2023


📍 Location: Town Centre (festival setting)


🗣️ Who we spoke to: ~100 attendees across a wide demographic (families, older residents, young people)


Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers & Llantwit Major Town Council


🙋 Type of engagement: Informal conversations at a public festival


🚀 Emerging themes:

  • What people like:

Residents value Llantwit Major for its beautiful green spaces, especially around Pentre Cwrt, alongside its stunning beach, welcoming village atmosphere, and free parking. The town also offers convenient amenities such as a well-loved library and public toilets, while maintaining a reputation for safety. Historic landmarks like St Llltyd’s Church add to its unique charm and sense of heritage

  • Concerns:

Key concerns raised by residents include speeding on Llanmaes Road and the B4265, parking pressures near Dewi Sant Primary School and the Learning Hub, and issues with litter and dog fouling. Public transport remains limited, with infrequent bus and train services, while overgrown hedges often block footpaths. There is also a need for greater retail variety, particularly children’s clothing, alongside calls for leisure centre refurbishment and improved beach access for older residents, disabled visitors, and families.

  • Next 5 years:

More frequent trains/buses (incl. shuttle to the beach), better beach paths/ramps, pothole repairs, biodiversity planting, residents having more say on amenities, new health centre, theatre, arts/crafts activity centre, protect heritage/character, more bins, improved toilets near stations.

💬 Comments:

“The beach is great but hard to reach safely.”

“We need more frequent trains and buses.”

“Please protect the village feel and green spaces.”


Summary:

Llantwit Major takes pride in its strong sense of place and community. Looking ahead, key priorities include improving transport frequency and safety, enhancing beach access, maintaining cleanliness and public spaces, expanding retail diversity, and upgrading health and leisure facilities.