Cowbridge cattle market must make way for planned extra care home

by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo
THE historic cattle market in Cowbridge is to be put on the market as part of plans to build a care complex on the site.
A move earlier this year to close the market caused controversy in the town. It was saved after a last-minute deal in March between market operators and owner Vale of Glamorgan council, which extended the market operations for a year.
Now Vale council leaders have agreed to put the market up for sale to make way for a privately funded and managed extra care residential home.
A recent study showed that more than 40% of the population of Cowbridge were pensioner households.

The market will remain open until a buyer is found.

Consultants will be brought in to help with the marketing and disposal of the site.
The successful purchaser of the site will have to agree to build a new ground level public car park.
Council leader Gordon Kemp said: “This project will regenerate the Cowbridge livestock market and deliver extra care accommodation. It will also deliver improved parking for Cowbridge town centre.”
He said it would also raise money to provide care facilities in other parts of the Vale.