Protesters voice anger at plans for seaside homes

HUNDREDS of people staged a protest on Porthcawl seafront to oppose plans to build 1,100 houses.

- BRYANA FRANCIS

Protesters flocked to Salt Lake car park, one of the areas which is proposed to be turned into housing, with some holding banners which read "concrete kills coasts" and "save our seaside".

In January, Bridgend County Borough Council released plans to transform the seaside town with 1,100 new homes, as well as shops, cafes, restaurants, and leisure attractions.

The proposals would see homes built across three different areas of the town, with up to 450 at Sandy Bay, 200 at Coney Beach, and up to 450 at Salt Lake.

The proposed development has sparked a wave of controversy, with residents and business owners arguing such "prime" spots along the seafront should be preserved for leisure facilities which would have a positive impact on the wider community, instead of homes.

Around 300 people met at the car park, with traffic queuing all the way up to the M4.

Si Prosser, from Porthcawl, helped to organise the protest as part of the new community group Porthcawl SOS (Save Our Seaside) which was set up in opposition to the plans.