VALE of Glamorgan councillors have voted to adopt the proposed local development plan, after the Welsh government ruled against a request to defer the decision.

Council leader John Thomas had issued a formal request to the government asking that they allow the local authority to review the plan, which they claim is based on outdated information. However this was rejected on Tuesday, June 27.

In a letter submitted last week to Lesley Griffiths AM, the council argued that house-building targets for the Vale were excessive and based on population forecasts dating back to 2008 - figures they say have since been made redundant.

But the government's response informed the council that the matter had already been considered, adding that the decision made in the planning inspector's report was legally binding.

Ms Griffiths wrote: "There is no reason for delaying adoption of the LDP beyond the statutory eight week period.

"The local planning authority may not question the inspector's conclusions (and) cannot therefore raise any further matters after (its) receipt."

"I therefore decline your request for extending the period within which you must adopt the LDP."

The plan, which remains valid until 2026, was accepted at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday night.

Plaid opposition leader Ian Johnson urged councillors to reject the proposals, despite the government's decision, however the plans were ultimately backed by a large majority.

Forty councillors voted in favour of the plan, whilst five - the Plaid Cymru contingent and Independent Kevin Mahoney - voted against.

Plaid councillor for Baruc, Nic Hodges, criticised Conservative councillor Vince Bailey, who said he would be voting to adopt the plan "with a heavy heart."

Cllr Hodges said: "As long as councillors have got a heavy heart, that’s okay?"

He went on to add that there had already been a growth of houses on the Waterfront, but a lack of promised leisure and retail facilities.

Another Conservative, Cllr George Carroll, added that his backing was "under duress."

After the meeting's conclusion, a Conservative group spokesman expressed his frustration that the council would, in effect, be implementing a plan devised by the previously Labour led council.

"Labour’s LDP is going to have to be adopted – legally we have no choice. This is hugely frustrating but the fight against Labour’s housing targets doesn’t stop here."

The adoption of the plan is likely to come as a blow to the current Conservative administration, who during the local election campaign had pledged to oppose what they perceive as "inappropriate development" across the Vale.

The plans must now be implemented within the next eight weeks.