The Church in Wales has said talks are still ongoing to build a new health centre on the site of a former church in Llanbradach – despite submitting a planning application for a completely different development.
Residents in the village want the old All Saints’ church site developed for a new medical centre and earlier this month the campaign took a step forward after the Aneurin Bevan Health Board agreed it was a priority.
Since then, the Church in Wales, which owns the site, has submitted planning applications to build six one bedroom apartments and six bedsits.
A similar application in the past by the Church was turned down by councillors.
Darren Hughes, who lives nearby, said the centre was desperately needed by villagers and that the area would not be able to cope with the extra parked cars generated by the flats if built.
He said: “Residents are confused. On the one hand it looked positive and we’d get a new medical centre, then we had notice of the planning application.”
A spokeswoman for the Church in Wales said the organisation had a duty to maximise the value of the land, hence the planning application.
She said: “We have had to submit an application so we can sell the property at the amount we can.
“We are obligated under charity law to get the best value for money. We are still in talks with the health board.”
The spokeswoman added that if the planning application is approved, the property would go on the open market and that all offers would be considered.
She added: “Nothing has been ruled out by this [application]. It’s an extra step so that we are able to sell it and get the full value.”
A spokeswoman for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board said: “Aneurin Bevan Health Board is reviewing continually the services we deliver to our patients and a key priority for us continues to be developing our primary and community health services. The Health Board’s plans for a Health and Social Care Centre in the Llanbradach area are at an early stage and the All Saints Church is one of a list of estates that are being considered.”