An online petition to prevent the Upper Cosmeston Farm development will be considered for debate in the Senedd after reaching 5,000 signatures over the weekend.

The proposed development, which is in the consultation phase of its planning application, aims to build a residential community (complete with 576 housing units and a primary school) on "60 acres of scenic rural coastline."

Campaigners cite environmental damage, inadequate infrastructure and "the loss of heritage" among their objections.

A spokesperson for Keep Cosmeston Green (the group leading opposition to the development) has posted the following:

"The Keep Cosmeston Green Campaign is urging the public to continue to keep signing its Petition...

"A campaign spokesperson has stressed that continuing to sign the petition right up to the end date of the 27th November will further reinforce the depth of public feeling against the overdevelopment proposed by the application by ... a government that is apparently prepared to ignore its own climate change emergency virtue signalling by concreting over yet more of our fast-diminishing green countryside.

"It would of course be interesting with an election looming to see who in the Welsh Assembly is prepared to support the opposition to the mass house proposals at Upper Cosmeston farm."

Liberal Democrat 2021 Senedd Candidate for Penarth and Cardiff South Alex Wilson has also expressed his opposition.

His party last week carried out a community survey that garnered 154 almost exclusively negative responses.

Respondents listed traffic, "green issues" and "environmental hazards" among the primary areas of concern.

"Reading the report you would think that the mention of existing pollutants on the land including asbestos, the flawed traffic analysis, the additional strain on existing services such as health and schooling not to mention the loss of heritage that this application wouldn't stand a chance but the community is clearly concerned that it will be approved," Mr Wilson told Nub News.

The Welsh Government, who own the site, state the following in their planning application to the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

"The development of Cosmeston Farm, whilst making an important contribution to meeting housing needs, presents an opportunity to deliver high quality, sustainable buildings and spaces that will improve and support the health and well-being of future generations through an urban extension that respects and enhances the unique qualities and character of Penarth – the Garden by the Sea.

"The Welsh Government has developed a strong Vision for the development in consultation with stakeholders, specialist advisors and the local community.

"This has led to a Masterplan of connected spaces that arise naturally from the context, topography and existing habitat-rich landscape, overlooked by high quality, net zero energy homes, community facilities and a school, creating a place where a diverse community will live, learn and work."

Full planning application details and documents can be foundhere.

The standards set for petitions to be debated in the Senedd can be found here.