📅 Date: 06 March 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major Town
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Representatives from local sports clubs
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions and set questions
🚀 Emerging Themes
- Strong appreciation for clean town, free parking, beach, green spaces, and sports facilities (clubs for all ages, swimming pool).
- Positive mentions of opticians and dentists, allotments, and visiting teams praising the town.
- Concerns about dog mess on pitches, lack of shop variety, and absence of banks/cashpoints.
- Frustration with poor infrastructure (schools, doctors, parking), unsafe pavements, poor street lighting, and limited public transport (infrequent buses/trains, no late-night services).
- Lack of community buildings, storage areas, and affordable access to Astro Turf for clubs.
- Desire for improved beach access, better allotment facilities, and upgraded swimming pool/changing rooms.
💬 Comments
"Sports clubs feel facilities are under pressure from housing growth and cost barriers limit participation."
"Calls for additional Astro Turfs, running track, skate ramp, and youth-focused spaces."
"Interest in competitive supermarket, new medical centre, and better cycling infrastructure."
"Emphasis on improved leisure centre, indoor sporting complex, and street lighting upgrades."
Summary
Sports clubs value Llantwit Major’s cleanliness, community spirit, and existing sports amenities but highlighted significant gaps in infrastructure, transport, and affordable facilities. There is a strong push for expanded sports provision, youth engagement spaces, and improved public services to support growing demand and maintain the town’s appeal.
📅 Date: 6 March 2024
📍 Location: Bowls Club
🗣️ Who we spoke to: 14 attendees (20–60) from local sports groups
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Focused group discussion group brainstorming session
🚀 Emerging themes:
The town is well-maintained and welcoming, with free parking that supports local businesses. Visitors often comment on its charm, thanks to beautiful beaches, green spaces, and well-kept sports pitches. Residents enjoy tarmac pavements, allotments, a wide range of sports clubs, and a swimming pool, making Llantwit Major a vibrant and attractive place to live and visit.
Residents have raised concerns about several local issues, including dog fouling on sports pitches, a limited variety of shops, and the absence of banks or cashpoints.
The town is feeling the strain from new housing developments, while beach access on foot remains unsafe, either via a road without a pavement or through muddy fields with cattle.
Pavements and footpaths are often hazardous, street lighting is poor, and public transport is infrequent, with no late-night trains and inadequate service for major events.
Other challenges include poor road and water facilities at allotments, lack of an archery club, outdated pool and changing areas, restricted and costly access to the school astro pitch on weekends, and a shortage of community buildings and storage spaces.
Priority plans for the future include a call for additional floodlit astro turf pitches, a running track, and a skate ramp, alongside improved youth facilities and a dedicated youth club building. There’s a strong focus on better holiday provision for young people, enhanced lighting, upgraded roads, pavements, and cycle paths. Residents also want a more competitive supermarket, a new medical centre, and solutions for school parking challenges on Ham Lane South.
💬 Comments:
“Working together as clubs will help us achieve more – a sports forum is a great idea.”
“We need better facilities and safe routes for everyone to use them.”
Summary:
The session highlighted the value of partnership working and the enthusiasm of local sports groups to collaborate. There is a strong appetite for upgrading facilities, joint planning, and community-led initiatives. Establishing a Sports Forum represents a major step toward coordinated action and achieving long-term placemaking goals.
📅 Date: 27th February 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of the Writing Circle
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions and set questions
🚀 Emerging Themes
- Strong appreciation for walkable community, historic buildings, independent shops, and natural assets (beach, open spaces, coastal footpaths).
- Positive mentions of free car parking, clean environment, and safe atmosphere.
- Concerns about lack of signage to the beach, limited activities for children, and poor accessibility to the beach.
- Frustration with The Precinct, lack of tourism promotion, and insufficient public amenities (toilets at the beach, petrol stations).
- Desire for better train services and improved infrastructure for visitors.
💬 Comments
"Residents value the town’s cleanliness and low pollution but feel tourism and accessibility need attention."
"Calls for enhanced beach facilities, clearer signage, and more family-friendly activities."
"Interest in promoting Llantwit Major as a destination while maintaining its character."
Summary
The Writing Circle highlighted Llantwit Major’s strengths in walkability, heritage, and natural beauty, but identified gaps in tourism infrastructure, child-friendly amenities, and transport connectivity. There is a clear opportunity to improve accessibility, public facilities, and visitor promotion while preserving the town’s safe and clean environment.
📅 Date: 16 Feb 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Llantwit & Cowbridge Lions - 18
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions and set questions
🚀 Emerging Themes
- Strong appreciation for green spaces, planting and flowers, historical buildings, and community safety.
- Positive mentions of free car parking, railway station, community facilities, voluntary groups, and independent shops.
- Concerns about litter and lack of bins, poor transport services (irregular buses, hourly trains, no late-night service), and dangerous beach access.
- Frustration with Eagleswell Building development, lack of banks, and poor leisure centre pool condition.
- Desire to maintain independent traders and avoid chain stores.
💬 Comments
"Residents want improved train frequency, new health centre, and better youth facilities."
"Suggestions include wine bar, cinema, banking hub, and lift for Town Hall to improve accessibility."
"Calls for better pavements and mobility scooter access, reflecting the town’s older demographic"
"Group expressed concern about declining volunteer engagement, especially among younger residents post-Covid."
Summary
The Lions group values Llantwit Major’s heritage, safety, and community spirit, but highlighted gaps in transport connectivity, public amenities, and accessibility. There is a strong push for modern facilities, inclusive spaces, and initiatives to boost volunteer participation to sustain community life.
📅 Date: 15th February 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of the Labour Party
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions and set questions
🚀 Emerging Themes
Residents value the town’s strong community spirit, vibrant clubs, leisure centre, free parking, and stunning natural assets such as the beach and scenic walks. Positive feedback also highlights its rich history, cleanliness, safe environment, and convenient transport links. However, concerns remain about the outdated leisure centre, limited transport services, particularly the lack of late-night trains and buses, and the need for improved medical facilities. There is also frustration over the absence of entertainment options like a cinema or bowling alley, unreliable internet connectivity, and a poorly maintained amenity site.
💬 Comments
Residents want half-hourly and late-night train services, new supermarket, and improved amenity site.
Strong emphasis on eliminating food bank reliance and improving local infrastructure.
Summary
The Labour Party group values Llantwit Major’s welcoming community, heritage, and natural beauty, but stressed the need for modern leisure facilities, better transport connectivity, and enhanced public services. There is a clear call for social improvements, entertainment options, and upgraded infrastructure to meet future needs.
📅 Date: 20th February 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Llanilltud Fawr in Flower
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Community discussion and set questions
🚀 Emerging Themes
Residents deeply value the town’s strong community spirit, rich history and heritage, beautiful coastline, and green spaces. Positive feedback also highlights the library, good transport links, and vibrant local events and festivals. However, concerns include litter and infrequent bin emptying, limited transport options, particularly bus services and late-night trains, and an outdated leisure centre. There is frustration over poor beach access, issues at the recycling centre, and the impact of speed bumps.
Looking ahead, there is a clear need for improved infrastructure to support population growth and the creation of a large adventure playground for families.
💬 Comments
Residents want half-hourly and late-night train services and improved amenity site.
Emphasis on modernizing leisure facilities and enhancing accessibility to the beach.
Clear desire for family-friendly spaces and better waste management.
Summary
The group values Llantwit Major’s heritage, natural beauty, and community character, but highlighted gaps in transport connectivity, public amenities, and infrastructure for growth. There is a strong call for modern leisure facilities, improved waste services, and inclusive recreational spaces to meet future needs.
📅 Date: 10th October 2023
📍 Location: St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Ladies ProBUS and associated groups
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions and informal questionnaires
🚀 Emerging Themes
What people like about Llantwit Major:
Heritage and historic character, friendly community, walkable town layout, free parking, library, clubs and leisure centre, green spaces, beach, and local events.
Residents praised the sense of safety, community spirit, and variety of voluntary groups.
-
What people dislike:
-
Transport issues: Poor bus service, infrequent trains, lack of evening services.
-
Town centre concerns: Limited variety of shops, closure of restaurants, and loss of banks.
-
Infrastructure gaps: Roads in poor condition, potholes, lack of signage to beach, and inadequate facilities for growing population.
-
Social challenges: Declining volunteer engagement post-Covid and isolation among older residents.
-
Aspirations for improvement:
- Better transport connectivity (half-hourly trains, improved bus routes).
- New health centre and central hub for services.
- More youth facilities and inclusive spaces.
- Investment in leisure centre and community buildings.
- Variety of shops and restaurants to revive town centre.
- Road repairs and improved accessibility for mobility scooters.
💬 Comments
- “Llantwit Major is a lovely, safe place to live with a strong community spirit.”
- “Transport is a real issue – buses are unreliable and trains only run hourly.”
- “We need more variety in shops – everything is closing.”
- “Roads are a disgrace – potholes everywhere.”
- “Volunteer numbers have dropped since Covid – we need to encourage younger people to get involved.”
- “A health centre and better leisure facilities would make a big difference.”
Summary
ProBUS members value Llantwit Major’s heritage, friendliness, and active community, but raised concerns about transport, infrastructure, and declining town centre vibrancy. Residents want better connectivity, modern amenities, and inclusive spaces to support a growing population and maintain the town’s character.
📅 Date: 6 February 2024
📍 Location: Parents & Baby/Toddler setting
🗣️ Who we spoke to: ~20 young parents/carers
Facilitators: Youth/Community team
🙋 Type of engagement: Informal parent conversation
🚀 Emerging themes :
Llantwit Major offers a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Residents and visitors enjoy church and community events, a well-loved library, and a variety of local shops including traditional butchers and bakeries. The town also boasts inviting pubs and cafés, convenient rail links, and a charming rural feel. Its stunning beach, coastal walks, streams, rivers, and rich historic identity make it a truly unique place to live and explore
Residents have highlighted the need for more doctors and improvements to a heavily used pharmacy, as well as the lack of a petrol station and limited supermarket choice. There is also a shortage of child-friendly facilities such as soft play areas. Transport concerns include the B4265 (Wick roundabout to the garage), missing pavements on Plasnewydd Road, and infrequent train services. Accessibility issues remain, with the beach not being buggy-friendly, alongside ongoing problems with litter
Priorities from residents include creating soft play areas and activities for children aged 6+, expanding and upgrading parks, and adding more pavements (particularly along Plasnewydd Road) for safer walking. There is a call for improved transport links, with more bus services to Cowbridge, protecting cherished green spaces, and introduce a wider variety of restaurants alongside cost-effective supermarkets. A key goal is to seek development of a new park, providing a vibrant space for everyone to enjoy.
💬 Comments:
“Please add pavements where missing and buggy‑friendly beach access.”
Summary:
Parents prioritise safe, accessible routes, affordable family facilities, and everyday services within easy reach.
📅 Date: 22nd January 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of Llantwit Firsts
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussions
🚀 Emerging Themes
- Strong appreciation for independent shops, compact town layout, history, beach, and good walks.
- Positive mentions of public toilets, library as a community hub, sporting facilities/open spaces, and low crime rate.
- Concerns about hazardous pavements, litter and lack of bins, and potholes.
- Frustration with parking issues (cars on pavements and verges), lack of banking facilities, no hotel, and poor upkeep of The Precinct.
- Transport issues noted: reduced bus services and lack of coordination for connections.
- Leisure centre considered unsuitable for town size.
💬 Comments
Residents want competitive supermarket, completed beach path, and new health centre.
Calls for improved infrastructure to support housing growth, additional car parks, and land for a cemetery.
Emphasis on better access to civic amenity site.
Summary
Llantwit Firsts value the town’s heritage, walkability, and community facilities, but highlighted gaps in infrastructure, transport, and public services. There is a clear push for modern amenities, improved maintenance, and strategic planning to accommodate future development while preserving the town’s character.
📅 Date: 1 February 2024
📍 Location: Llantonian Hall
🗣️ Who we spoke to: 11 attendees (50+)
Facilitators: Llantwit Major Town Council
🙋 Type of engagement: Group discussion
🚀 Emerging themes :
Beach, countryside, pleasant walks; local transport (train/bus) appreciated; allotments and society activity valued.
Parking for sporting facilities, school places shortage, limited social housing; medical centre needs updating; need for another doctor’s practice; roads and road cleaning poor; lack of banks/independent shops, supermarket competition weak.
More allotments, an additional medical centre and chemist, more decent supermarkets and restaurants, and better transport and infrastructure (roads/parking).
💬 Comments :
“We need another medical centre and to upgrade local infrastructure.”
Summary:
The priority is to strengthen healthcare capacity, broaden everyday retail choices, and enhance public spaces and transport links, ensuring Llantwit Major remains a vibrant, liveable town as it continues to grow.