Garden Grabbing in Cardiff

Cardiff draft DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR INFILL SITES

2011-05-11T02:55:00.000-07:00

DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR INFILL SITES

Draft for Approval to be discussed at full council meeting 14 april

Description: Council
Location: Council Chamber, City Hall
Date: 14/04/2011
Start: 04:30 PM

Is this Sustainable???

Given recent flash flooding in Cardiff...

Run off - only mention here ...

3.5 CFSH and BREEAM standards not only encompass the sustainability of the

building fabric itself but also other aspects relevant to the site. Credits that are available to meet CFSH standards include matters such as the management

of surface water run-off, lifetime homes, ecology, and waste storage.

Development will also be subject to local and national policies on avoiding

unnecessary flood risk (see TAN 15).

Did you know run-off from paved surfaces is about 16 greater than that of a grassed meadow/garden?

Suggest you learn from best practice..as flash flooding a problem in Cardiff

In York ....

New driveways or parking areas over five square metres will require planning permission if they are constructed using surfaces that do not allow the water to soak through the ground.

However permeable surfacing will still receive automatic permission. Surface water can be drained using permeable surfaces such as concrete block paving with gaps, porous asphalt or gravel, wheel track only paving or through installation of 'soak-away' systems.

If you would like an opinion from us as to whether permission is needed for your proposal, please complete a Householder Enquiry Form.

................................................

Cardiff

The retention of open soils and permeable surfaces

limits surface run-off and supports biodiversity

on site and should be utilised throughout the

development.

[PDF]

Residential Design Guide Cardiff

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
This Supplementary Planning Guidance was approved by Cardiff Council on 13th March 2008. The guidance outlines design polices ...... removable paving or in shared service trenches. .... limits surface run-off and supports biodiversity ...
www.cardiff.gov.uk/ObjView.asp?Object_ID=11288

Garden protection

2010-01-15T02:07:00.000-08:00

Garden protection
Labour backbencher Andrew Dismore MP’s Bill to protect gardens and urban green spaces has had its first reading in the Commons. The Land Use (Gardens Protection etc) Bill is due its second reading in February.
Access the Bill
Access the Bill’s research paper [PDF]

2009-08-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

Save our parks from Cllr Howells

2009-01-29T03:54:00.001-08:00

During late Summer/early Autumn of 2007, 8,500 people signed a petition opposing the development of a school on Rumney Recreation Ground. This was the largest petition the Council had ever received. But still Cardiff Council ignored it. Parks are not safe with Cllr Howells. He continues to persit with a plan to put a 4 metre wide road with 2 metre 1in5 slopes through Bute Park, for articulated lorries!

The Council's Proposal

During the summer of 2007 the Council announced its proposal to build a new Secondary High school on Rumney Recreation Ground. The school would also incorporate the current Eastern Leisure Centre. The closure of the two current schools would ensue - namely, Llanrumney High School and Rumney High School and the land would be sold off for developement. Both these schools are surrounded by large green, open spaces. The Rumney High School site, in particular, holds commanding views across the Bristol Channel, which is considered to be prime land for housing development. The council claim that the capital receipts from the sale of the two school sites would raise capital to develop the new build school and refurbish the leisure centre.

However, local people quickly realised that if this particular proposal in its present form were to continue unopposed and Cardiff City Council were to proceed with this plan, then this would amount to the Council conducting nothing more than a land grab - not only selling off two prime school sites but also proposing to build a new school on our beloved RUMNEY/LLANRUMNEY RECREATION GROUND. It is not the building of a new school, or the amalgamation of the two schools which residents are opposed to, but WHERE the Council want to build the new school that has become the “bone of contention”. The local communities were outraged that the Council appear to be land grabbing and are, in essence, also asset stripping our community for fiscal gain. Rumney Recreation Ground has been an inherent part of our community for generations and, as far as the local communities are concerned, it is not negotiable. More information here

And BUTE PARK here

Congrats to Pantmawr Action Group

2008-12-02T02:21:00.000-08:00

Cllr Jayne Cowan, and Adrian Robson and Brian on the terrific news on Pantmawr appeal

“We would like to congratulate the Pantmawr Action Group and all the local residents who support the Inn through the whole planning process. It was a very thorough appeal hearing which considered many issues and we are delighted with the Inspector’s decision to dismiss the appeal against the Council’s original rejection.

The Pantmawr Inn is the only real community facility in Pantmawr. If it had gone then a great void would have been left on the estate and we were pleased to see that the Planning Inspector concluded that the permanent loss of the pub would be against national policy.

“We have seen a really strong campaign to protect the pub and if there is a new application then we are sure that the Action Group will fight to ensure the Pantmawr Inn remains”.

You can contact Jayne: JCowan@cardiff.gov.uk,

The Inspectors report is attached! Pantmawr Action Group

Wow! Pantmawr Inn Saved!

2008-12-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

Appeal Ref: APP/Z6815/A/08/2075016
Site address: Land at The Pantmawr Inn, Tyla Teg, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, CF14 7TL
The inspector calls....and the Overall Conclusion
37. Although I have concluded on the first main issue that the scheme would not
harm the character or appearance of the area, I consider that, on balance, this is
insufficient to overcome the harm that I have identified in relation to the other
main issues.
Hywel Wyn Jones INSPECTOR

decision

for the Pantmawr Inn EARTH RIGHTS Solicitors
Restores your faith in the system and now lets hope we can save Bute Park!

Julie Morgan supports Garden Grabbing

2008-11-30T01:31:00.000-08:00

Julie Morgan MP Votes to keep Garden Grabbing - Planning Bill — 24 Nov 08 at 18:45

Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said amendment:-

The House divided: Ayes 278, Noes 217. Look here to see how your MP voted

Voted with the government and supports garden grabbing

Julie Morgan Cardiff North - don't think the residents of Rhiwbina would agree! Julie Morgan had nothing to say on garden grabbing although there has been so many incidents of this in Rhiwbina and Whitchurch!

Alun Michael Cardiff South & Penarth

Voted against the government and against Garden Grabbing
Jennifer Willott Cardiff Central

See the full debate here

Back story Peers back Planning Bill amendment to protect gardens

Welsh Assembly Government | Written - Planning Bill UpdateThis statement is to inform the National Assembly for Wales on progress of the Planning Bill, which has now passed to the House of Lords for consideration. ..
RTPI Cymru - Royal Town Planning Institute

bid to ban "garden grabbing" blocked

2008-11-30T01:18:00.000-08:00

Plans to protect gardens in suburbs and town centres from developers have been blocked by ministers, the Daily Telegraph can disclose.

By Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 7:42PM GMT 28 Nov 2008

The bid to ban "garden grabbing" by requiring local councils to protect urban green spaces when making planning decisions was made by Conservative peers, who included it in an amendment to the Planning Act, currently going through Parliament.

However, earlier this week, in a late night vote in the House of Commons, MPs overturned the amendment, promising instead to conduct a "review" of the issue.

The Conservatives accused the Government of performing a "classic Labour fudge".

Eric Pickles, the shadow local government secretary, said: "Labour's rules have given a green light for garden grabbing and rich pickings for developers.

"Across the country, there is growing concern about how Labour's planning rules are leading to leafy gardens being dug up and replaced with soulless and ugly blocks of flats.

"Local people are powerless to protect the character of their neighbourhood, and communities are suffering from the extra burden being placed on local infrastructure.

"Our proposals would increase protection for gardens and small urban green spaces, and leave local communities to decide what's best for their neighbourhood."

Announcing the review, Baroness Andrews, Local Government Minister, said the Government was not yet convinced that the over-development of gardens was a "genuine" problem.

She said: ``We are proposing to begin a review early in the new year of evidence on the extent of development on back gardens to ascertain whether there is a clear or genuine problem.

"If there is a problem, we will take action to remedy the situation by, for example, making revisions to policy, changing the definition of previously developed land or offering targeted support and guidance to local authorities.''

The terms of the review have yet to be set, but the minister promised to keep the House informed.

The Conservatives say the garden grabbing ban is necessary because planning rules currently require councils to demand that builders create high density homes - such as blocks of flats - when they develop properties in towns and suburbs.

Under the terms of the amendment, local authorities would have been forced to consider the "desirability" of retaining gardens, which would be officially designated as protected urban "green spaces," before granting planning permission.

Ministers announce 'garden-grabbing' review

2008-11-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

MINISTERS ANNOUNCE 'GARDEN-GRABBING' REVIEW

Concern over issue acknowledged...Ministers announce 'garden-grabbing' review »

The Government has decided to carry out a review to see whether action is needed to tackle 'garden grabbing' by developers.

This move was announced during the final Parliamentary stages of the new planning legislation which saw the Commons overturn a Lords amendment to the then Planning Bill which would encourage councils to give greater weight to resisting the development, principally, of back gardens.

During debates in the Commons and the Lords ministers insisted that councils already had the means to protect gardens from being bought up and used as building plots.

They also expressly denied claims that planning inspectors were overturning local authority decisions on brownfield development just because they are on garden land.

Local government Minister John Healey said councils already had powers designed to protect back gardens from being bought up and used as building plots, but many were not using them properly.

Healey said: "There is already considerable scope for planning authorities - which most are not yet using to the full - to be able to equip themselves should they see a potential concern over garden grabbing in their area."

In the Lords Baroness Andrews, the senior Communities and Local Government minister, acknowledged concern over the issue but argued that "there is a crucial absence of systematic evidence as to where, how and why this is occurring, why some local planning authorities are more successful than others in developing policies for protecting back gardens, and where a sustainable solution may lie".

The minister told peers that the Government investigation would begin in the New Year. She said this would ascertain "whether there is a clear and genuine problem. If there is a problem, we will take action to remedy the situation by, for example, making revisions to policy, changing the definition of previously developed land or offering targeted support and guidance to local authorities".

Roger Milne 27 November 2008

Half Bay flats empty and half price!

2008-11-26T00:36:00.000-08:00

Britain's worst price falls The Guardian, Saturday November 22 2008 Patrick Collinson and Miles BrignallCardiff Bay - half of flats empty and many half price! Do the planning committee know this?
Cardiff Galleon Way Peak price £234,500 On sale now £116,950

The Cardiff bay area is Europe's largest waterfront development and a symbol of the economic

renaissance of Wales, housing the National Assembly and the Millennium Centre. In April approval was given for Bay Pointe, which at 120 metres will incorporate Wales's tallest building and 1,800 apartments.

But local property experts say up to half the apartments around the bay may now be unoccupied, and prices are plummeting. In private, one of Britain's biggest mortgage lenders told Guardian Money the bay is where it is seeing the heaviest price falls.

Galleon Way is a gated development of "executive" apartments with loft-like spaces, en-suite bathrooms and views across the Bristol Channel. But it is riddled with repossessions. Local estate agent Darlows says that it alone has taken on to its books eight repossessed properties there.

When the development went on sale, people were "fighting to get in and queueing up to buy", says agent Amanda Trinder. Some sold for £300,000, though the average was nearer £200,000. But now, Trinder says, the only buyers to be found are cash-only bargain hunters looking for repossessions at knock-down prices.

The property 138 Galleon Way first went on the market at £159,950 in July. But propertysnake.co.u k reveals that the asking price has been progressively cut to £149,000, £129,000 and £117,000. The apartment next door sold for £234,500 in June 2007.

Peak price buyers are in severe negative equity and Galleon Way is not unique - Trinder says the price falls are typical of the bay area.

Just how bad is the property market right now? Are desperate sellers slicing thousands off asking prices to shift their homes? Research found south Wales was the area in which there was no difficulty finding properties for sale at hugely reduced price

Garden grabbing developers

2008-11-26T00:21:00.000-08:00

Garden grabbing developers alive and kicking in Rhiwbina
For more on that contact Cllr J Cowan - JCowan@cardiff.gov.uk
If Cardiff Councils already has powers designed to protect back gardens from being bought up and used as building plots they are definitely not using them properly. Why not?

24dash Government announces review into 'garden grabbing' developers
24dash, UK -
The Government today announced a review to see whether action is needed to tackle "garden grabbing" developers. Local Government Minister John Healey said ..

Yesterday in parliament
guardian.co.uk, UK - Tues 25th Nov 2008

Garden grabbing' developers
Local government minister John Healey announced a review to see whether action is needed to tackle "garden grabbing" developers. He said councils already had powers designed to protect back gardens from being bought up and used as building plots but many were not using them properly. MPs overturned a Lords amendment to the planning bill which would encourage councils to give greater weight to resisting "garden grabbing".

Lords amendment aims to block "garden grabbing"
Horticulture Week, UK - 13 Nov 2008
by Gavin McEwan An amendment to prevent "garden grabbing" by developers was yesterday (Wednesday 12 November) voted into the Planning Bill currently before ...

Government defeated in Lords over 'garden grabbing'
24dash, UK - 13 Nov 2008
The Government has been defeated on an amendment to the Planning Bill aimed at stopping "garden grabbing". The Lords voted 135 to 128 - a majority of seven ...

Sustainable Communities Act for Wales

2008-11-20T23:22:00.000-08:00

The Sustainable Communities Act process has started! We can now drive the
actions of government to protect Post Offices, increase bus services, restrict
supermarkets, promote local renewable energy and much more.

 Why is this Act different? What makes it not just another consultation exercise?

This Act is not just consultation. It is governance by dialogue and
reaching agreement. Government has a legal duty to co-operate and reach
agreement on the proposals made by communities and their councils.
Councils also have a duty to reach agreement with communities regarding
the ideas they have for help and action from central government. This
is radical - 
we have never before had a law like this that creates a bottom-up way of doing government.
We need to urge all our AMs to call upon the Welsh Assembly to act on this.

From: Steve Shaw steve.shaw@unlockdemocracy.org.uk

Subject: Sustainable Communities Act - Action and Update - your help needed

The Sustainable Communities Act process has started! You and your communities
can now drive the actions of government to protect Post Offices, increase bus
services, restrict supermarkets, promote local renewable energy and much more.

But…

We can only use the Act’s process if the Welsh Assembly wants us to. Only then
can our principal authorities (i.e. County Councils) choose to use it too. If
they do not then we can not use the Act at all. So it is crucial that AMs hear
loud and clear from us and other local residents that they should choose to use
the Act.

Action: get involved

1. Write to Welsh Assembly Members asking them to “please support the submission
of a Legislative Competence Order to apply the powers in the Sustainable
Communities Act to Wales”. You can find out who your Welsh Assembly Members are
by going to www.assemblywales.org or calling the Assembly Information Line on
0845 010 5500.

 If the Welsh Assembly chooses to request to Westminster that the Act
applies to them it will also apply to all Local Authorities in Wales.
The Local Works coalition are campaigning for the Welsh Assembly to
choose to do this. Please write to your AMs if you are a Welsh citizen
(you can use this sample letter).


2. Please sign up to Local Works by sending your contact details to the address
or email below so that we can keep you informed of the progress we are making in
applying the Act to Wales.

Ask other local people to write too - the more letters that AMs receive the
better! So please forward this email to friends, family, neighbours, colleagues
etc.

Currently over 20 councils in England have already resolved to use the Act. This
is very good news given that the process has only just started. You can see the
full list on the front page of our website here: www.localworks.org.

More information and guides on the Act are available at www.localworks.org.

Berman "Vulcan didn't meet criteria for protection"

2008-11-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

I refer to your email dated 12th November 2008. Your email, whilst raising several points which I answer below, also contains some inaccuracies.

Whilst I note your position in terms of preserving the Vulcan I should point out that the site on which the pub stands is owned by a private company which is not the St David's 2 Partnership and is leased to SA Brain. The site is not part of any land the Council either owns or is responsible for.

I can confirm that the Vulcan is not listed as being of architectural or historic interest, and did not meet the criteria for protection during the most recent review of listed buildings in Adamsdown undertaken by Cadw in July 1997. Neither is the building within a ‘conservation area’ or on the Council’s own local list of buildings of merit, and so in effect it does not enjoy any statutory protection or benefit from any planning policies which would indicate its preservation.

The Vulcan Pub was included within the Compulsory Purchase Order made by the now dissolved Welsh Development Agency for the St David's 2 development for temporary car parking during the period covering the redevelopment of the city centre. Following consultation and agreement the pub has in fact been left standing during the current redevelopment.

The future of the site is in the hands of the owners of the land and the brewers and, as I have already indicated, is not the responsibility of the Council save for its role as planning authority. You are of course fully at liberty to submit objections to any planning applications for the site.

You are not correct in your statement regarding officer responsibilities within the Council. The project manager for St David's 2 is not the same person who is leading the bridge project in Bute Park. These are two totally separate developments with separate project managers and teams. Also the Council already has a city centre manager and team that manage the city centre operationally, and there are no plans presently to change this management structure.

As to your implication that the Council is destroying the heritage of Wales not protecting it, Cardiff is seen as one of the most attractive and dynamic cities in the UK. Part of this can be directly attributable to Council policies for development in the city and civic centres and the sensitive and responsible approach taken in regard to the Castle refurbishment and new build, and that of its parklands.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Rodney Berman
Leader of Cardiff Council

Peers back Planning Bill amendment to protect gardens

2008-11-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

Peers back Planning Bill amendment to protect gardens (lobby your MP)

Peers voted for an amendment giving greater protection to gardens and green spaces during the final stages of consideration of the Planning Bill.

The House of Lords voted 135 to 128 to change the legislation following an amendment moved by Earl Cathcart.

He said his measure sought to "increase protection for gardens and small urban green spaces. It does so by leaving it to local communities to decide, not to higher authorities and least of all to remote central Government.

"It does not take away the householder's right to extend their house by permitted development. It does not prevent local authorities setting frameworks that are more permissive. But it does prevent the wishes of local people being undermined; unless in the specific case it can be shown that development is essential to achieve housing targets. Even in such cases, full consideration would have to be given to the importance of green space."

The Government said the fundamental elements of the Bill remained intact including the new planning system for major infrastructure projects but the amendment was "unnecessary".

A Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "There is simply no need for additional legislation. We believe this amendment takes away from local authorities the power to make their own balanced judgments based on their knowledge of the overall needs of the local area.

"Local authorities have always had the power to turn down applications for inappropriate housing development in back gardens and new planning rules (Planning Policy Statement 3) that came into force in April last year have strengthened those powers further.

"In particular, councils have now been given the ability to set local policies that specifically protect gardens and to separate gardens out from their wider Brownfield development targets."

During the report stage of the Bill ministers removed a link between the level of the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the increase in land value once planning permission has been granted.

The Bill is due its third reading in the Lords shortly before it returns to the Commons for the last time. The Government's proposal for a new planning regime for major infrastructure has survived hours of debate in the Upper Chamber largely unscathed.

This would put an end to developments like the proposed demolitions in Beulah Road Heathwood Road

Read the Lords Hansard report of the amendment debate (12 November 2008, column 691).

they work for you

Earl Cathcart (Conservative) Link to this | Hansard source

My Lords, this amendment concerns the preservation of gardens and open spaces and the current classification of gardens as brownfield. The amendment is inspired by Private Members' Bills introduced in another place by my honourable friends Caroline Spelman and Greg Clark, which received strong support from all parties and NGOs, including the RSPB, as indeed did a similar proposal from Lorely Burt for the Liberal Democrats. For Labour, there was strong support from Gisela Stuart and Chris Mullin, who said that members of the Government—I am sure this does not include the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews—are in a "state of denial" over this issue.

The problem arises from the classification of back gardens as brownfield sites, the emphasis on "brownfield first" development and high density targets being forced on local authorities. A survey of six local authorities was conducted recently comprising Bradford, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Guildford, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells, which found that a staggering 72 per cent of all brownfield site development was on gardens. Gardens are under attack as never before from planning policies skewed in favour of infill, backfill and the demolition of suburban properties to increase housing density. There is currently an application to demolish two family homes in a Birmingham suburb and replace them with 71 new dwellings........for more ...
they work for you

Government defeated in Lords over 'garden grabbing'
24dash - Hereford,UK
The Government has been defeated on an amendment to the Planning Bill aimed at stopping "garden grabbing". The Lords voted 135 to 128 - a majority of seven ...
See all stories on this topic

Lords amendment aims to block "garden grabbing"
Horticulture Week, UK - 1 hour ago
by Gavin McEwan An amendment to prevent "garden grabbing" by developers was yesterday (Wednesday 12 November) voted into the Planning Bill currently before ...

Yesterday in parliament
guardian.co.uk - UK
The government was defeated on an amendment to the planning bill aimed at stopping "garden grabbing". The Lords voted 135 to 128 to force councils to ...
See all stories on this topic

KEEP THE VULCAN NO CAR PARK!

2008-11-12T03:09:00.000-08:00

Built in 1853 - Save the Vulcan! - due for demolition to make way for a multi storey car park and flats! Surely they can build flats around it - what a wonderful community resource! The car park is uneccessary!

"ONE of Cardiff’s oldest pubs is being forced to shut down to make way for the new St David’s 2 development

Address: Southgate House, 9th Floor, Wood Street, Cardiff. CF10 1EW. Hotline Number: 0800 345 7547
Email: information@stdavids2.com

Built in 1853, The Vulcan is a favourite of rock group the Manic Street Preachers as well as hundreds of other regulars.

But after first being earmarked for closure because of the new development three years ago, owners Brain’s Beer have confirmed the pub, on Adam Street, Adamsdown, will finally stop pulling pints in June next year after being handed a compulsory purchase order.

Despite booming business, landlady Liz Smart and husband Brian were told by contractors the pub would be pulled down to make way for a 3,000-space car park for the new shopping centre." story here
The St Davids 2 project manager is Pat Thompson - email and tell him your thoughts! pthompson@cardiff.gov.uk This is the same man who wants to build a new bridge and road into listed Bute Park! Still he works for Cardiff council so let them know what you think! Try the council leader! rberman@cardiff.gov.uk
Ask him why they are making a cumplsory purchase order!

Save the Vulcan on facbook groups here and here

***** WRITE TO THE HERITAGE MINISTER *****
Write or email the Heritage Minister (details below). It’s essential to stress in your letter that we want to keep the Vulcan where it is – right in the heart
of Cardiff. Tell the Minister that the building should be listed: built in 1853,the Vulcan’s role in Cardiff’s history and heritage must be preserved for futuregenerations – not demolished for a car park!!
Alun Ffred Jones AM – Heritage Minister National Assembly for Wales Cardiff BayCardiff CF99 1NA alunffred.jones@wales.gov.uk

***** WRITE TO THE PRESS *****
Keep writing to The Echo, The Western Mail, The Metro,and any other media outlet – we have to ensure The Vulcan’s name remains in the spotlight.
South Wales Echo Fax: 02920243640 Email: eclett ers@mediawales.co.uk
Text: 07781482332 – start your message with the word echo.

Western Mail readers@mediawales.co.uk

***** PETITION *****
Keep encouraging people to sign the petition at
or if you want to sign on a paper copy, there’s copies in the
Vulcan.
The online petition

Cardiff Council also wanting to sell off rare books collection http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/7593883.stm

Green areas cut health gap between rich and poor

2008-11-07T00:50:00.000-08:00

http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE4A605D20081107

Reuters UK,
"Populations that are exposed to the greenest environments have the lowest levels of health inequality related to income deprivation," they said.

"However, the effect of green space is not solely based on promotion or enhancement of physical activity. Several studies have shown that contact (either by presence or visual) with green spaces can by psychologically and physiologically restorative, reducing blood pressure and stress levels and possibly promoting faster healing in patients after surgical intervention."

They conclude: "The implications of this study are clear: environments that promote good health might be crucial in the fight to reduce health inequalities."

GOVERNMENT AMENDS PLANNING BILL TO IMPROVE ITS CLIMATE CHANGE CREDENTIALS

2008-11-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

Proposals give Peers key new role...

Dan y Coed Raod Cyncoed, Demolition Condemned

2008-11-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here we go again - The proposal involves the demolition of an existing large bungalow and its replacement with nine flats. The area is characterised by residential
properties in mature garden settings. So why wreck it for falts that aren't needed!

COMMITTEE DATE: 12/11/2008
APPLICATION No. 08/1265/E APPLICATION DATE: 28/05/2008
ED: CYNCOED
APP: TYPE: Full Planning Permission
APPLICANT: Mr A J Williams
LOCATION: 80 Dan Y Coed Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff
PROPOSAL: RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF 9 FLATS

Garden grab plans can be rejected

2008-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Roundhay garden-grab plan rejected
Roundhay Today, UK - 13 Oct 2008
Ward councillor Matthew Lobley said: "We are strongly opposed to garden grabbing where houses are squeezed into existing gardens. "This would have resulted ...

I hope some cardiff councillors will take the advice and stop garden grabbing in cardiff.

fight against park road continues - keep artic lorries out of our park

2008-10-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

BBC News

Fight against park road continues
BBC News, UK - 57 minutes ago
Cardiff council has agreed plans to build a new bridge and an access road into Bute Park for delivery and maintenance vehicles. ...

Don’t scar this beautiful park
WalesOnline, United Kingdom - 20 Sep 2008
Therefore I oppose the new planned road and bridge in Bute Park. Over the past few years the park has held several events, the latest of these has been the ...

Bute Park bridge gets go-ahead

A PLANNING committee has given the go-ahead for a controversial £1.4m bridge to be built into Cardiff’s Bute Park. Read

Wrecking Lottery Heritage fund here paying to bring articulated lorrries into the park.

Project: Bute Park Restoration

Applicant: The County council of the City and County of Cardiff

Programme: Parks

Location: Cardiff, South Glamorgan

Region: Wales

Amount awarded: £3,123,000

Description: The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff proposes the restoration of Bute Park, located in the heart of Cardiff, together with the delivery of significant benefits in respect to the facilitation of both physical and intellectual access. On 27 June 2006 the HLF Board of Trustees approved a Stage One Pass (??3,123,000; 55%) with an award of Development Funding of ??115,000 (55% of total eligible project costs). This application will be assessed against the Authority demonstrating that they have met our Stage Two requirements

Head of Wrecking Heritage Lottery Fund, Wales

Tel: 020 7591 6000

Fax: 020 7591 6271

E-mail us at enquire@hlf.org.uk

Jennifer Stewart began her career as an archaeologist in the Middle East and subsequently as Curator of Archaeology at the Bristol City Museum.

As Head of Documentation at the National Museum of Wales she also built up expertise in computerised documentation, and the use of new technology in the management of and public access to museum collections.

She joined the Heritage Lottery Fund as Manager for Wales in January 1999

Do you know these people? On the committee for wales?

Committee for Wales

Dinosaur Councillors give road into Bute Park goahead

2008-10-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your support and the valiant effort to save the park..Planning Cttee passed it today 7 to 2 against, under heavy pressure from the officials.
ONLY 2 councillors opposed the road into Bute Park
1. A Robson (Independant) 2. Cllr Foley (Tory)
The rest voted for the road for artic lorries!

We brought the petition with nearly 2,000 signatures and they had 1,000 emails first time around and this time more than a 100 and they admitted to getting a 100 emails this morning alone! Max spoke to the committee - they gave us three minutes. Then Cllr Howell chair of the parks committee got 3 minutes to argue the case for.

This was about 5.20 and then the officers spoke in favour for at least an hour plus on to about 7 pm with few comments from members telling the benefits of the scheme. New narrower rustic bridge design! Complete with traffic lights!! Totally missing the point..that we should be not allowing articulated lorries in to the park ever!!!

Nigel Howells jumped in to speak as ward member, saying if Jane Cowen could get in so could he.
But Jane had been challenged and said she was speaking for constituents, the weak chair saying it was agreed in her case. But no such claim of agreement about Howells.

Is this okay under procedure - shocked at this misuse by Exec Member to promote the scheme (extensively, at length), not once mentioning constituents' views? This was on top of Rosie James/Parks having 3 minutes to promote it for the "applicants".

At least Cllr Foley said that it was a shocking thing to do to the park.,..so city can get more events and make more money. He said the nursery shouldn't be there .."should be moved elsewhere. If artic lorries, vehicles are to travel on it then it is a road."
The officers claimed this was for the use of 36 artic lorries a year - Cllr Foley said this was a disgracefully waste of tax payers money. The park, he said was owned by the people of Cardiff not the Council do do as they please with it. As for events - larger events could be held else where.

I was shocked that the tree person said there was only one holly tree to be replaced and 10 trees of a inferior category plus 2 groups of inferior trees + 2 small trees to be replanted. 43 TREES are to be pruned to make way for the passing articulated lorries - so 43 lollypop trees! But the tree people say that 'pruning will have a minimal impact - don't consider this detrimental to the amenity of the park. 2 Beech trees have been removed and will be replaced and in 30 years time will have significant impact'. !!! so that's ok then!

3 champion trees will require CROWN management
No memorial trees will be felled
However 6 memorial trees will require CROWN management!
This tree has been planted in memory of a loved one so it is chopped back to let articulated lorries past in what was a tranquil part of the park designated for memorial trees!!!
43 trees in all to be pruned ....43 lollipop trees!!!

One significant factor was that CADW supported this application. Contact them ..
Tel: 01443 33 6000 Fax: 01443 33 6001 E-mail: Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk

Cadw is a Welsh word which means 'to keep'. Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment division. CADW boasts ...'We aim to

protect and sustain
encourage community engagement in
improve access to

the historic environment of Wales. This includes historic buildings, ancient monuments, historic parks, gardens and landscapes, and underwater archaeology.'

No officer gave the opposing view or really there was no council officer speaking in support of preserving the park as it is. No one mentioned the enormous damage the council had done to the park before they got planning permission.

The car park is defined as "highway" said Paul Carter. They want to chop it up and reassign the carpark as "detailed design"

What can we do now?

The whole thing is funded in large part by the heritage lottery fund so I think we should petition them and ask why they are supporting and funding a project which is destroying a beautiful listed park.

I did an interview with the BBC in the park where the destruction has already been started by Cardiff Council.

In the chair was BURFOOT. Patricia I think.

I believe these where the dinosaur councillors who voted for a road into a listed park for articulated lorries!! Apologies for any inaccuracies or if I missed someone!! There should be seven..please let me know who is missing!

Publish Post

Plaid Cymru ISLAM. Mohammed-Sarul,
Lib HYDE. Keith
Lib JERRETT. Richard
Lib PEARCY. Cathy
New Lab PARRY. Jacqueline

The planning committee ..see them all here

Bute Park Road disgrace

2008-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Remember that nowadays the key document protecting anything listed is its Conservation Plan, which relies on identifying the unique or at least special characteristics of the place, & focuses on protecting them; in this case the calm in the city, relations between open & wooded areas, thew quality of the trees, etc. would be included. I would point out the following:

1) the scale & situation of the road servicing the nursery is disproportionate & inappropriate for a Grade 1 listed landscape, as it will destroy the qualities that give it those characteristics responsible for getting it that listing. Why on earth are they providing for articulated lorries to service a nursery? They (my local councillors) have assured me that they do not intend having more/commercial
events, as it's not cost-effective to provide security, given the permeable borders to the park.

2) it's still a concrete bridge (out of keeping, etc.).

3) although comparatively few trees are shown as being entirely removed the positioning of the roads means that MANY trees would have to have lower branched lopped off, etc. - to almost equally deleterious aesthetic effect. This is not immediately apparent on the plans, but would be the case. Also, once artic lorries are allowed in there is bound to be further damage.

4) the nature of such a big, tarmac (?) (check) road, which will stand out against the lawns, etc.

Bute Park danger to Cylists!!!

2008-10-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

I see the officers' report has closed ranks and tried to push it
through without pressing alternatives - particularly keeping out the
large lorries rather than designing for them.

We want another site visit for the design has
changed (traffic island added) and they admit a hazard - claim a
Safety Audit but haven't disclosed it and we don't trust them (!)

The Access:
Designed as a "crossover", not as a junction, and a crossover with
curves that can be taken at speed off North Road.

Unlike last time, the officers now accept this would be a hazard, but
talk only of "provision of warning signs and appropriate road markings to warn
pedestrians and cyclists of the potential hazard".

Failure to design for cyclists crossing from the Park to Corbett Road
(a new island to impede vehicles doing this) so cyclists will be
judging the gap when the traffic lights change and have no central
refuge for protection.

last chance to save bute Park - council steam roll permission to themselves through

2008-10-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

stop the road through Bute Park facebook here
Act now to sa ve Bute Park
Last time 'Approximately 1200 e-mail objections (from approximately 1000 individual
objectors), and approximately 40 letters of objection have been received.
Approximately 100 of these have been received in respect of the latest
amendments received on 27th August 2008. ' say the council ..So write again asp
We have until Planning Committee
Wednesday 15th October 2008 at Ferrier Hall, City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff
(meeting starts at 2.30.p.m.)
to register our outrage at these plans before the council make their descision.. They are discounting the previous emails and have had only a 100 this time around so pass on the message and protest. The plan is still the same only the bridge is narrower. They have recommended the counil grant permission to themselves.

PLEASE ask everybody to email asp

Julian Stedman, Development Manager at: developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk
AND Richard Cole who is in charge of this application:

rcole@cardiff.gov.uk or post

Julian Stedman Development Manager City Hall Cardiff CF10 3ND
more information here
SAMPLE LETTER/EMAIL - if you haven't got time to write your own, copy and paste this one!

To: developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk
RE: Application
NEW ACCESS, BRIDGE EMBANKMENTS, UPGRADED
ACCESS ROUTES AND LANDSCAPING INTO AND WITHIN
BUTE PARK
Bute Park planning proposal 07/02649/C

Dear Julian Stedman/Richard Cole,

I hope you're well. I am writing to register a complaint regarding the council's proposed plans to build a new access bridge linking Bute Park with North Road. Furthermore, I am appalled that some trees have already been cut down without approved permission.

I would urge you to reconsider this action as it would be a desecration of the city's main park. Cardiff is well-known for being a 'green' city and these proposals could tarnish this reputation. I would also urge the council to come up with a more satisfactory reason for the bridge, other than the current slightly ironic excuse of using the road to tranport bedding plants into the park. I can see why the road and bridge would be useful for lorries to transport equipment into the park for events, but also urge you to remember the fact that many successful events have been held there for years without such an intrusive new development.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this complaint; I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Eco policy - best practice elsewhere
Gateshead Council introducing electric vehicles in council parks here
only on eof a series of measures which cut Fuel bills cut by £100,000
a year

Cadw supports road into listed Bute Park!

2008-10-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

 Shocking conclusions of Cadw - who had been critical of previous proposals -
are supportive of these plans:
"A strong case has been made for a new access into Bute Park to be used
principally for delivery and maintenance vehicles using the nursery and
for commercial vehicles servicing events on Cooper's Field. The benefits
of the proposed new access have to be balanced against the harm that it
would cause to this important historic park. Cadw considers that the
proposals, in their present form, seek to minimise any damage to the
park and that the benefits presented by this scheme therefore outweigh
the harm."

There is no strong case been made - if this was a listed building
they wouldn't permit a new entrance being created!

Beulah Road Estate Scandal

2008-10-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

This is the proposed site for profiteering builders.
More information here

Bute Park - new entrance and roadways

2008-10-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

Bute Park - new entrance and roadways
-----------------------------------------
Write to your local councillor

Would you as .......Councillors object to the way this application is pushed by the
Council via its agents RPS and officers, and press for wider consideration?

You will have seen the multicolour broadsheet with Council logo very prominent,
which declares:

"Why is a new access needed? In a word 'SAFETY'.
"A new access is therefore essential in order to provide a safe solution"

The broadsheet uses much of the Options Assessment issued by Paul Carter of Highways. His
January 2008 version leaned backwards to support the project, but still has been
'doctored' in order to support RPS's words "essential" and "safe".

On the North Gate entrance Paul Carter's August 2008 version is near identical to that of January,
except for:

# omitting "potentially" from "pedestrian flow makes vehicle movements using North
Gate potentially unsafe"

# writing "unacceptable" instead of "far from satisfactory" and omitting "rationale to
segregate vehicle and primary pedestrian flows".

The Highways people actually say it's needed for artic lorries to enter and circulate
in the Park. The new entrance has to take two artics following each other passing
a further artic exiting, says Paul Carter's report.

But without the changes to his report - by whom we don't yet know - RPS cannot claim
the present situation to be unacceptable or unsafe.

Paul Carter's Highways department contains officers working for the project, so that
assessments from the department are not professionally independent. The same goes
for the Parks Department etc. The Planning Officers say they have no way of getting
independent advice on highways options and traffic safety, but have to accept Paul
Carter's report.

It's apparent that the Council officers are operating corporately -
impeding a proper decision on planning grounds. Is that lawful?

The application was pulled pre-election, just as the papers were being prepared for
dispatch to the Committee, because the Planning Officers report was negative.
The Council has refused freedom-of-information requests to see that report.
Evidently the Council as promoters of the scheme are misusing their corporate
position.

Would you press this conflict-of-interest issue (Cllr Delme Bowen said he would)
and also press consideration of the low impact and lower cost alternatives:
1. segregation of pedestrians and vehicles entering via the North
Gate

2. access at Blackweir a) in the event of the Ambulance station moving as they
intend and b) or via a new bridge from the carpark just south of the ambulance
buildings

3. exclude artic and other large lorries from accessing the Nursery
(and Study Centre)?

Leanne Wood and Chris Franks object to Park plans!

2008-09-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Leanne Wood AM Chris Franks AM write
Thank you for your email. Myself and my colleague Chris Franks AM are concerned about this development and the over-use of parks in general. We will be writing to the planning division of Cardiff Council to highlight our objections and concerns of this particular development.
If there is anything further re can do to assist, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

Cllr Rodney Berman writes....not in plain english..."The recent plans are in summary...now include a narrower access road to the park which is of partly double vechicle with (8.9 metres wide at North Road) and partly single vehicle width (7.12m wide nearer, and over, the dock Feeder) The current plans provide for a bridge of arguably far less intrusive visual impact than the previous designs"

(whew..great! if it was a listed house would you say that putting a new door in smaller than previously planned was ok?)

He goes on..."This will allow service vehicles to access the park in a safer, more efficient way that will also seek to minimise the wider impact on the park. ......I would stress that there are no
proposals for any new 'roads' within the park , only the upgrading of existing pathways."

(fit to take a lorry..when is a road not a road but an upgraded path?)

He goes on..."I am advised by council officials that the previous removal of trees and other vegetation was not done on the 'pretence' of taking down a diseased tree. There was a genuine and serious need for this work to be undertaken due that the diseased tree, a beech, was in too dangerous a condition to climb and take down in a piecemeal fashion. The only other option was
to fell it from the ground, which required the clearance of an area of trees into which the tree could be dropped."

(did he see the pictures.. ...no one who has believes who that yarn and what about the drilling and diggers on site testing the ground? The people telling us this are the ones responsible for the damage to the park and are also part of the project team. Who on the council is protecting the park and giving independent advice? And i will spare you the whole 2 pages!)

Beulah Road Estate

2008-09-30T07:22:00.001-07:00

WG2 property developers - who are you, hiding behind that name?

Demolition and destruction! Shame on you!

Garden grabbing greed Beulah Road

2008-09-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

There are proposals to knock down 58 Beulah Road and use some of the gardens of numbers 56 and 60 to build 7 dwellings! More news to follow
Or contact Cowan, Jayne (Cllr) email JCowan@cardiff.gov.uk

Who is protecting the park?

2008-09-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

To Cole, Richard <rcole@cardiff.gov.uk>
Q. Who is actually protecting the park from the parks department???
A. only you and me!!!

q. Is there anyone on the council giving independent advice?
a. NO

When the Council is applicant and the Council has to supply independent professional assessment, documentation and clear audit trail have to be available if the public is to have confidence that planning law is properly applied. We cannot accept that documentation between the applicant and the assessors is withheld as "internal communications".

We asked.. Can you therefore say which of the officers you have copied in represent the applicants and which (as well as Peter Dawson) are the Council's professional assessors, and whether you expect one or both parties to give (independent) answers?

You give an excuse
"why consideration of segregation of pedestrians and vehicles at the north gate has not
progressed".

Yet enhanced segregation was discussed with the applicant, including use of the side pedestrian gate and the obvious provision of a separate pedestrian bridge alongside the existing one
over the feeder canal. Peter Carter's document does cover the Blackweir entrance options, so I'd ask you to require the applicant to similarly cover the North Gate option.

I would bring up a related question
- how will you get professional advice from the Parks side that is
independent of the applicant, because in the past you seem to have answers just from
the applicant?

Remember:

# the Parks dept did not inform you of the memorial trees, of those that would be affected and of the impact on the whole ambience of the memorial garden. People have paid the Parks dept. for the right to plant trees with memorial plaques, but there was no evidence from the Parks dept to uphold their rights.

# the Parks dept. did not inform you that lower branches would be lopped to allow passage of the high vehicles and when questioned on it gave a cavalier answer, disregarding the
visual damage.

# the Parks dept. participated in the destruction of many trees alongside the canal feeder and alongside North Rd when supposedly only taking down the one diseased tree, so damaging
the in-park views as well as breaching the Conservation area procedures.

# the Parks dept. have a direct interest
in the road for running their 'commercial' operation that includes buying in plants and supplying plants/planters for Council (and perhaps others') functions, which are covered by financial accounts.

So could you clarify how you will resolve the conflicting interest and secure professional Council advice in the interests of the park itself?

Bute Park destruction - lorry bridge

2008-09-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

Read the echo report here

Lorry bridge at centre of new look for park

Sep 4 2008 by David James, South Wales Echo

Lorry bridge at centre of new look for park

A MASSIVE restoration scheme for Cardiff’s treasured Bute Park has been unveiled – with a controversial lorry bridge at its heart

Stop Bute Park road plans

2008-09-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

A friend has just been to look at the plans. They are, indeed very similar. The only
change seems to be a narrower bridge, accepting only one truck at a time. The road down
to ..it is still two-lane in order to facilitate passing. Some smaller changes come
in consequence like an even larger turning area where this single lane now reaches the park.

They have a little promotional leaflet they are handing out, which emphasises
the safety benefits of the scheme!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/04/lorry-bridge-at-centre-of-new-look-for-park-91466-21670401/

**** Join the Facebook group "Stop Cardiff Council Selling off 
Our Cultural Treasures & Books!".

Cardiff council intends to aution off 18.000 pieces of history to
make some fast bucks, join the group!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/03/fury-over-council-s-plan-to-sell-off-up-to-18-000-pieces-of-history-91466-21662397/".

To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&gid=29429697092

Nigel Howells and trees for the chop

2008-09-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

Save our trees - Save Bute Park from traffic! The new plan is just ever so slightly scaled down from the previous plan.

I noticed that Cllr Nigel Howells left a comment on Bute Park on the Left alternative formerly the Respect Web site about Bute Park here

This is one of the trees marked for the chop! See the devastation and damage behind!

Q. When is a proposed road in Bute Park not a road?
A. When it is an upgraded path???!!!

Richard Cole rcole@cardiff.gov.uk
phone him  029 20 871826

"I would stress there are no proposals for new roads in the park, only the upgrading of the existing pathways to accommodate a greater loading."

Fight Bute Park Road plans - yes, back again !!!

2008-09-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

NEW ACCESS, BRIDGE EMBANKMENTS, UPGRADED ACCESS ROUTES AND LANDSCAPING INTO AND WITHIN BUTE PARK

Application No. / Rhif Cais: 07/02649/C

Date / Dyddiad: 29/08/2008

Please ask for/Gofynwwch am: Richard Cole

Telephone / Ffon: (029) 2087 1668

Fax / Facs : (029) 2087 1826

Dear Sir/Madam

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995

______________________________________________________________________

Proposal: NEW ACCESS, BRIDGE EMBANKMENTS, UPGRADED ACCESS ROUTES AND LANDSCAPING INTO AND WITHIN BUTE PARK

Location: Land west of, North Road, Bute Park, Cathays, Cardiff

Applicant: Cardiff County Council

_____________________________________________________________________

Further to my/your previous correspondence relating to the above application, I have to advise you that amended plans have now been received.

You can look at the application and plans at the City Hall Reception (Main Entrance, Room 139) from 8.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. Monday to Thursday and until 4.15 p.m. on Fridays. Please quote the application reference number located at the top of the letter to reception staff.

Please write to me within 21 days of the date of this e-mail if you have any comments that you wish the Council to take into account before a decision is made. If you write via e-mail, please include your postal address.

Please note that your communication will be open to public inspection. You should enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you wish to be informed of the Planning Committee’s decision in writing.

Yours faithfully

Phil Williams

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

This correspondence can be provided in the Welsh Language upon request / Pe dymunir mae'r cyfatebiaeth yma ar gael yn y Gymraeg.

What Richard Cole from the council has to say.....

Dear Ms Greagsby,



Please note that this is not a new application but an amendment to the original

proposals.



The plans of the new access are available at City Hall and are available along

with supporting documentation and a now very comprehensive arboricultural report

for inspection. These latest amendments have been prepared in response to issues

raised at the time of the original submission.



In summary, The submitted plans now show a narrower access road which is of

partly double (at North Rd) and partly single (nearer and over the feeder)

vehicle width; Provides a bridge of an arguably less intrusive design/visual

impact; The submission is now clearer in terms of the proposed pathway upgrade

works...[I would stress there are no proposals for new roads in the park, only

the upgrading of the existing pathways to accommodate a greater loading. These

paths are used by vehicles currently]. The supporting documentation also

provides a clearer understanding of the impact of the proposals on the trees in

the park and makes recommendations in terms of mitigatory measures which have

also now been incorporated into the scheme.



I do not know which planning committee the application will be reported to but

the first available planning committee will be that of the 15th October 2008.





Richard Cole MA MSc (dist) MRTPI

Senior Planning Officer -Uwch Swyddog Cynllunio

Cardiff Council - Cyngor Caerdydd

Room 128 - Ystafell 128

City Hall  - Neuadd y Ddinas l

Cardiff - Caerdydd

CF10 3ND



t - Ff        029 20 871668

e - E        rcole@cardiff.gov.uk

f - Ff        029 20 871826

Conservation Area means nothing to Cardiff council!

2008-06-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

RADICAL Residents against Development in Conservation Area
E mail: radical.canna@googlemail.com

Meeting 23rd June 2008, 7.30pm
Conway Road Methodist Church, Cardiff Regarding Planning Application for
St Winefride's, Romilly Crescent, 128 Flats and 60 bed Nursing Home

In 2007, Conway Road and Romilly Crescent were designated part of a Conservation Area. Less than 12 months later, a planning application has been submitted to the Local Authority which, if approved, threatens to undermine the whole purpose of a Conservation Area status. There is strong local objection, yet we are concerned that this development may be approved are few indications that the Conservation status will have any significant bearing on the decision.

Key environmental issues hightlighted to date are:
• massive increase the traffic and emissions in an already very densely populated area
• the felling of very mature and established trees
• the lack of detailed environmental impact assessment or ecological survey

The proposed `Pack `em in, Stack `em high' development of St Winefride's will tear the heart out of Pontcanna. The proposals ride roughshod over the aims of the recently designated Conway Road Conservation Area. At least two petitions opposing this proposed development have already been sent to the planning officers and many residents are writing to the council with their objections.

A recent meeting with the developer was attended by well over 100 residents. We are holding a public meeting where local councillors, local AM and regional AMs. MEPs, the MP and the media have been invited.

In the meantime, you might wish to read some of the residents' objections to the St Winefride's development on the back of this letter.Yours sincerelyDorian Bradley (Chairman)79 Romilly Crescent. Cardiff. CF11 9NQ

Some objections raised by local residents

We call on the Council to reject the proposed development of St Winefride's because it breaches the aims of the recently designated Conservation Area
• The aim of Conservation Area status is to help the Council maintain the special character of the Conway Road Area. In creating the Conservation Area, Councillors wanted to ensure that new developments are well integrated within the area and enhance the existing residents' enjoyment of its special character•

The conservation area was created to help Councillors to resist the continual pressure to alter and extend buildings and gardens; to resist the pressure for more on-street parking and the resulting disruption to traffic; and to prevent increased traffic congestion throughout the area

We call on the Council to reject the proposed development because it has far too many housing units. In addition, the size, layout and external appearance of the proposed buildings will be detrimental to the areaThe proposals are for 87 one-bedroom flats and 43 two-bedroom flats plus studio flats. The proposed Care Home will house 60 residents.
• In order to pack in this number of flats, extra stories will be added to the main building. Also a high annex will be built overlooking Llanfair Road
• It will have an overbearing effect on the neighbourhood, more than doubling the number of residential units on Romilly Crescent

We call on the Council to reject the proposed development because the proposed access and landscaping will have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood

• The proposed development could have up to 300 residents.
The two main vehicle access points are on an already congested and fast moving bus and commuter route (Romilly Crescent) and on the narrow and the already very cramped Conway Road. Both roads are used daily by children and parents walking to local schools
• The EMI Nursing Home will also bring a significant amount of extra traffic. This will be generated by the 60 - 80 staff, many regular service and delivery vehicles, and the potentially large number of daily visitorsWe call on the Council to reject the proposed development because of the detrimental impact on infrastructure, such as roads, sewers and water supply
• Traffic Generation - This proposed development will massively increase the number of cars in this residential area.
• Parking - This proposed development will make the parking situation in adjacent streets even more difficult for existing residents with up to 160 extra cars without spaces. Existing residents won't be able to use the car park spaces within the development site, but the developer has told the council there are spaces on nearby roads for the new residents to park extra cars
• Sewers and Water supply - This proposed development will result in a huge increase in the use of drains and sewers in the area - flash flooding .

Charles Church appeal to knock down Pantmawr Inn to build FLATS!!

2008-06-04T02:56:00.000-07:00

Write and have your say ASP!!! Write to ther planning inspectorate ..address below to tell them why Charles Church plans don't harmonise with the surroundings .....

Charles Church website claims ...are they true???

the company prides itself on the sympathetic way in which its homes are designed to harmonise with their surroundings. Wherever possible, many period or regional features are incorporated, ....... encompass traditional design reflecting the prevailing local architecture, but also embraces contemporary and exciting architectural styles and breathes new life into redundant historic and commercial buildings through their sensitive conversion and restoration. ???? Hello ..reality check needed???

Application No. / Rhif Cais: 07/01980/W
Date / Dyddiad: 02/06/2008
Please ask for/Gofynwwch am: Jacqueline Howard
Telephone / Ffon: (029) 2087 1329
Fax / Facs : (029) 2087 1579

Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995
______________________________________________________________________
Proposal: THE DEVELOPMENT OF 34 DWELLINGS
Location: Pantmawr Inn, Tyla Teg, Rhiwbina, Cardiff
Appellant: Charles Church Wales & Mitchells & Butlers
_______________________________________________________________________

An appeal has been made by Charles Church Wales & Mitchells & Butlers against the refusal of planning permission by this Council.

The appeal is to be decided by a Public Inquiry and a site visit by an Inspector from the Planning Inspectorate.

Previous comments made on the application will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate, and the appellant and will be taken into account by the Inspector in deciding the appeal.

The Inspectorate has produced a guide to appeals, which is available free of charge from our reception or from the Inspectorate (Tel. No. 029 2082 3889).

Please write to the WELSH ASSEMBLY, PLANNING INSPECTORATE, CROWN BUILDINGS, CATHAYS PARK, CARDIFF, CF10 3NQ by 04/07/2008 quoting the Appeal Reference Number APP Z6815/A/08/2075016/WF if you wish to :
* change or withdraw previous comments
* make comments if none were submitted before (please note the Welsh Assembly require 3 copies of any such correspondence)
* receive a copy of the appeal decision letter.

Please Note : All representations made on an appeal will be published on the Portal. In order for representations to be taken into account a name and address must be provided. However, comments can be submitted in a form that allows only the representations to be published, for example the name and address of the interested person submitted on a separate sheet of paper or a document attached to an e-mail.

Yours faithfully

Phil Williams
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Save Pantmawr: M&B and Charles Church have appealed
Charles Church have now submitted amended plans to demolish the Pantmawr ... If the proposals go ahead the community hub - The Pantmawr Inn - will be lost! ...

Garden Grabbing boom

2008-05-28T07:28:00.001-07:00

Garden-grabbing boom: Number of homes built on gardens doubles in ...The number of gardens concreted over to make way for houses and flats has soared under Labour, it emerged yesterday. More than 22 per cent of new homes are ...
Any figures for Wales?

Save the Pantmawr Inn meeting Mon 7pm all saints church

2008-05-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Cllr Cowan tells me there is a Meeting on Monday evening at 7pm at All Saints Church Hall where we will be able to explain the way forward now in respect to the Public Enquiry.

Public Inquiry into Western Powers 4th application!

2008-05-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

Cardiff City Council has won its case against Western Power's challenge in the County Court to terminate its tenancy of Lanishen Reservoir. "The Council is now entitiled to a new lease of the site," and Cardiff's high quality Sailing Centre can remain open.

Public Inquiry again -

The Public Inquiry into Western Power's Fourth Planning Application will be held in Committee Rooms 3 and 4 of County Hall, Cardiff Bay from Monday to Friday each week between the hours of 10.00am to 5.00 pm.

The Inspector, Mr. Richard Potterton, will open the Inquiry at 10.00am on Wednesday 28h May 2008 and it is expected to last for 12 days. The first three days will be concerned with procedural matters and the opening addresses of Counsels on behalf of the Applicant, the County Council and the Reservoir Action Group. The Council will present its case and call its witnesses.

On Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June RAG's case will be presented and its witnesses will give their evidence.

On Wednesday 4th June witnesses on behalf of other organisations and individuals will give their evidence. Thereafter Western Power will argue its case and call its witnesses. This will be followed by RAG, the Council and then Western Power, in that order, making their final submissions to the Inspector. The Inquiry is scheduled to close on or about 12th June.

I am now calling upon RAG members to give our team as much support as possible at the Inquiry by attending as often as they can and especially on the Opening day (28th May) and on 2nd and 3rd June when RAG will be presenting its case. A large public attendance at the Inquiry would make it abundantly clear to the Inspector that local residents are strongly opposed to any development on Llanishen Reservoir and believe that a Country Park is a much better alternative for the site.

Card Parking at County Hall is a real problem. However there is a pay and display car park nearby.

You can also park in the Red Dragon Centre car park opposite County Hall where you can either pay to exit. OR you can go into the Red Dragon Centre and spend at least £4.00 per vehicle in one of the cafés, (2 cups of coffee and cakes) and get them to mark your parking ticket so you get out of the car park for free.

I very much hope to see you there - it should be very interesting.

Ted Thurgood Chairman RAG.

..time for the law to be changed to stop repeat applications ..such a waste of time and money ....allows the profiteers to gain at our expense!

Charles Church threaten Pantmawr Inn again?

2008-05-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

To make contact with the Planning Inspectorate for people wishing to make their representations about the pantmwr inn again because of the appeal by Charles Church who it seems still want to knock down the Inn and build flats!

The Planning Inspectorate Crown Buildings Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ bs
Telephone: 029 2082 3866 Fax: 029 2082 5150
wales@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk
wales@pins.gsi.gov.uky .

Patmawr Inn Appeal

2008-05-14T11:58:00.001-07:00

We are sorry to advise that Mitchells and Butler and Charles Church have appealed against the Pantmawr Inn Decision.

We are putting out a flyer to every house in Pantmawr to advise them of this over the next few days.

A public meeting has been arranged for Monday 26th May, 7pm at All Saints Church Hall.

Please contact us with your views which we will forward to the National Assembly for Wales.

Best wishes

Jayne, Adrian and Brian

Vote Green - Greenwash of the week! Rhiwbina

2008-04-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Stop garden grabbing - we didn't stop the destruction in Beulah Road - Gareth Neale, Tory Rhiwbina, supported the profiteering developer and spoke up for him at the council meeting.

See Heol Briwnant Garden Grabbing environmental disaster

However, the tide is turning as the community stand up to the council and developers.

This garden development was stopped.

The Pantmawr Inn development was stopped.

The councils own application to drivr a huge road into Bute Park was stopped.

Beware of Green Wash - real greens go out in the wind and rain and take ACTION!!! The greenwash of the week goes to Rhodri Morgan who wrote to the Pantmawr Inn campaign to say how pleased he was they won!!! Blatent electioneering!!! Perhaps he could legislate - take action to stop gardens and public amenities being treated as 'Brownfield sites'!

Vote green in Cardiff in Rhiwbina and Canton.

See the slide show on the left of a garden grabbing story in Rhiwbina where a lovely bungalow was demolished to be replaced by 2 blots on the landscape - 2 dreadful looking houses with one drive - on the edge of a conservation area.

Let the councillors responsible know what YOU think when you vote this week!

Council Secrecy over Bute Park Road fiasco!

2008-04-25T03:15:00.000-07:00

Info Request - Bute Park New Access etc. Appln 07/02649/CJeff Salmon, Group Leader (Strategic Services)

Dear Mr Salmon, Representation under Reg.11(1) of the EIR 2004-------------------------------
Thank you for your e-reply of 2nd April. It appears you have failed to comply with the requirement of these Regulations for disclosure of information. As you say, the planning officer's report was prepared and e-mailed to the Council's committee services division by 2pm on the 12th March inpreparation for printing / distribution.Later that day, a meeting was called on the initiative of the Council's Chief Executive to "review the report", which led to it being withdrawn from the Agenda by the Chief Strategic Planning and Environment Officer, prior to its publication, "in order that the applicant be allowed to respond to Cadw's comments". As you have not supplied a written request from the applicant to that effect [nor claimed exemption under Reg.12(4)(e)], I presume the withdrawal request was made verbally at the meeting by the applicant (or an agent for the applicant). The report or at least key parts of it, which might have included Cadw's comments, were considered at that meeting.You would agree, therefore, that the report was a completed document, sent outside your section (development control division) for printing and distribution, and reviewed at a meeting of outside officers probably including the applicant or agent.That it was not "published" and that you would probably amend it if the proposal (still "live") is taken to a future Committee are not relevant for the legislation. The document for the 19 March Committee which I requested is not "in the course of completion", so exemption under Reg.12(4)(d) is invalid. I therefore appeal under Regulation 11(1) and would prefer to receive the report in electronic form by e-mail.You did not refer to Reg 11 in advising me (20 March e-mail) to set out in writing the grounds of appeal and send to The Information Manager, Cardiff Council, Room 112, County Hall, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. I read Reg. 11 as requiring the appeal be sent to the same public authority who refused disclosure, not to an agent who also acts for other interested parties.In deciding my appeal, would you also decide that the Cadw letter and similar representations from official bodies should also be disclosed, being completed documents held in your file, and inform me when I could view them at your offices?
Regards,Max Wallis

On Wed, 2 Apr 2008 15:04:26 Salmon, Jeff wrote

Dear Mr Wallis, The planning officer's report, intended for presentation to the planning committee scheduled to sit on the 19th of March, was prepared and e-mailed to the Council's committee services division by 2pm on the 12th March in preparation for printing / distribution.
Neither the report or its recommendation were made available to the applicant by the development control division at that time. However, by the close of play that day, the Chief Executive of the Council had asked that a meeting take place to review the report prior to its release. The report was thereafter withdrawn from the agenda by the Chief Strategic Planning and Environment Officer, prior to its publication, in order that the applicant be allowed to respond to Cadw's comments, which as you are aware were only received shortly before the deadline for report preparation.
I would confirm therefore that the application is still a 'live' application and as such may be further amended by the applicant, re-consulted upon, and any new proposals / additional information reconsidered by planning officers prior to the report being finalised and released for member or public information. Ordinarily planning committee reports are made public 3 days before they are considered by planning committee, and you will of course be allowed to view any finalised report at that time. Further planning committee meetings are scheduled for the 16th April, 11th June and 9th July. It is unlikely that the report will be reported to the April committee, and I cannot yet confirm at which subsequent meeting the proposals may be considered at this time, however you will be consulted on any amended proposals as may come forward.
I hope this satisfactorily answers your questions. mailto:j.salmon@cardiff.gov.ukP> Jeff Salmon Group Leader (Strategic Services) / Arweinydd GrÅµp (Gwasanaethau Strategol) Tel / FfÃ´: (029) 2087 2981 Fax / Ffacs : (029) 2087 1817 E-Mail / E-bost : mailto:j.salmon@cardiff.gov.uk j.salmon@cardiff.gov.uk ----

-Original Message----- From: Max Wallis Sent: 26 March 2008 19:20> To: Salmon, Jeff> Cc: Hansen,Nigel; Cole, Richard>
Subject: Re:Info Request - Bute Park New Access etc. Appln 07/02649/C> Jeff Salmon, Group Leader (Strategic Services)
Dear Mr Salmon,Thank you for your prompt e-mail response of 20th March copied below, that refused disclosure of documents. It was incomplete and I seek further information relating to it.On 18th March I e-mailed: "As discussed, I would make a request to see the report on thisapplication that was prepared last week for the 19th March Committee. I expect the applicant would have seen it when deciding to request withdrawal from Committee. Could I please see that request too?"1. You have overlooked the second part of this request - would you respond?2. The reason given for refusal is "the report has not been finalised and was withdrawn". I suspect that at issue is the interpretation of "finalised". It was known in advance that CADW would respond "late", so that appears irrelevant. Could you therefore supply an audit trail detailing the processes the report passed through with dates? I presume these would include:
# the case officer finalising his report for the 19th March Committee papers
# endorsements by the team leader or section head or development manager as required under your procedure
# if and when sent from the office for printing for the Committee
# when the applicant requested withdrawal, be word of mouth, e-mail or formal letter as appropriate.
I look forward to your response under the EI Regs 2004. Regards Max Wallis ----------------------------------------------> On 20 Mar 2008 at 17:10, Salmon, Jeff wrote:> > Dear Mr Wallis,Thank you for your request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 concerning Planning Application 07/02649/C, Bute Park New Access received on the 18th March 2008.We have considered your request and on this occasion we cannot supply the information you have requested. In accordance with Regulation 14 of the Environmental Information Regulations this letter acts as a Refusal Notice. The exemption applied is Regulation 12 (4) (d) and this exemption applies because the report has not been finalised and was withdrawn by the Chief Strategic Planning and Environment Officer from the Planning Committee to be> held on the 19th March.The reason why, is that as a result of recent changes to the scheme, Cadw were re-consulted and responded only shortly before the deadline for publishing the Committee agenda. The applicant therefore wishes additional time to consider and respond toCadwas comments before the report is finalised for presentation to Committee. At this point we do not know which meeting the application will be reported to. In respect of the fact that the proposal is likely to be further amended, and that the responses to further re-consultation may vary, on balance it is considered that on this occasion, that the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighs the public interest> > in disclosing the information. Although we cannot meet your request this time, if you have any further information needs in the future then please do not hesitate to contact me.You have the right to appeal against our decision. If you wish to appeal please set out in writing your grounds of appeal and send to The Information Manager, Cardiff Council, Room 112, County Hall, Cardiff, CF10 4UW.You also have the right, under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act to apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision whether, in any specified respect, your request forinformation has been dealt with in accordance with the requirementsof Part I of the regulations. The Commissioner will however normally require you to pursue an internal appeal to the Council before considering such an application. You can find out more about the regulations from the Information Commissioner at:Information Commissioner's Office (Wales) Cambrian Buildings Mount Stuart Square CardiffCF10 5FL http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=33<http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=33 Telephone: 029 2044 8044 Fax: 029 2044 8045 Email: Wales@ico.gsi.gov.uk mailto:Wales@ico.gsi.gov.uk Yours Sincerely
mailto:j.salmon@cardiff.gov.ukP Jeff Salmon Group Leader (Strategic Services) / Arweinydd GrÃ…Âµp (Gwasanaethau Strategol)Tel / FfÃƒÂ´n : (029) 2087 2981 Fax / Ffacs : (029) 2087 1817 E-Mail / E-bost : FOIStrategicPlanningandEnvironment@cardiff.gov.uk
-----Original Message-----From: Max Wallis Sent: 18 March 2008 17:03 To: Hansen,Nigel; Cole, RichardSubject: Re: Bute Park New Access etc. Appln 07/02649/CNigel Hansen, Team Leader,Cardiff Planning/Development Control As discussed, I would make a request to see the report on thisapplication that was prepared last week for the 19th March Committee. I expect the applicant would have seen it when deciding to request withdrawal from Committee. Could I please see that request too?Under the Environmental Information Regs 2004, it is "completed" documents that have to be disclosed, which would cover the report.
Also, disclosure is to be "as soon as possible" (unlike the 20 working days allowed under the Freedom of Information Act) so could I come and see it later this week? MaxWallis

Pantmawr Inn refused

2008-04-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to cllr Jayne Cowan

RECOMMENDATION
1: That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:
1) The proposed development by virtue of its scale and massing would be out of keeping with the pattern and density of development in the surrounding area and would appear obtrusive and over-dominant when viewed from neighbouring properties, to the detriment of visual amenity, residential amenity and the character of the area and contrary to policy 11 of the Cardiff Local Plan, policies 2.20 and 2.24 of the deposit Cardiff Unitary Development Plan and paragraph 9.3.3 of Planning Policy Wales.

2) The density of the proposed development is such that the development would be contrary to policy 2.24 of the Cardiff Unitary Development Plan in that there would not be an adequate distance between facing habitable room windows of dwellings within the application site and between such windows of the proposed dwellings and existing dwellings surrounding the site to maintain a satisfactory standard of privacy.

Pantmawr saved!

2008-04-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

A great result - the planning committee saw sense and rejected the application.
http://www.savepantmawr.org/ Time for a change in council policy so the destruction of community facilities is not considered again.

Heol Briwnant Garden Grabbing environmental disaster

2008-03-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

More garden grabbing in Rhiwbina .....more profiteering developers ..

CARDIFF COUNTY COUNCIL
PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR WEEK ENDING 13th MARCH 2008
08/00585/W Full Planning Permission Expected Decision Level: DEL
Ward: RHIWBINA Received: 05/03/2008
Case Officer: Hayley Williams
Applicant: Mr. Gunn, c/o Agent, ,
Agents: DTB Design, D Thomas, 286 North Road, Cardiff, , CF14 3BN
Proposal: Erection of attached house 18 Heol Briwnant, Rhiwbina, Cardiff

Bid to prevent ‘house in a garden’ plan MORE than 70 people have signed a petition against plans to build a house in a suburban garden.more
MORE than 70 people have signed a petition against plans to build a house in a suburban garden.
They have launched a campaign against proposals for a home in the garden at 18 Heol Briwnant, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. It is among the latest in a string of controversial plans for new developments to be labelled as “garden grabbing”.

View Larger Map

Neighbour Bernadette Wilson, 74, said: “It’s going to look awful and the extra traffic it will generate will cause real problems. “It seems this garden grabbing is a very big threat. Soon every corner garden could end up like that. “Developments like this affect the whole street and make it look terrible.” The proposals would transform a pair of existing semi-detached houses into three terrace houses. The semis had each been put on the market by separate owners, Audrey Bale and Shirley Israel, who had been neighbours for more than 40 years
Garden-grab homes an environmental disaster By This is Money Mortgages & homes A new call for laws to block 'garden-grabbing' has branded backyard developments an environmental disaster.Mortgage Advice Center - http://www.mortgageadvicecenter.co.uk/wordpress

Garden protection legislation mooted

2008-03-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Garden protection legislation mooted »
Caroline Spelman MP, a backbench Conservative MP, has won parliamentary approval for a Bill designed to give planning authorities a specific power to protect gardens from being redeveloped for housing. Spelman promoted a similar Bill during the previous parliamentary session but it was opposed by the Government and "talked out".

As last time Spelman's proposed legislation has all-party support. She told the Commons: "I am once again asking for simple provision to be made in planning law so that councils can, where they feel it is appropriate, protect gardens from being built on."
She added: "the logic for developers is that garden sites tend to be in areas of higher real-estate value. The end result is that two-bed roomed flats are created at a price that is beyond the pocket of first-time buyers. Also, small developments built in back gardens frequently fall below the threshold for providing affordable homes. The preference for blocks of flats on garden sites has meant that the genuine need for affordable family homes is simply not being met."

A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said: "Local authorities have always had the power to turn down applications for inappropriate housing development in back gardens and new planning rules that came into force in April have strengthened those powers further.
"In particular, councils have now been given the ability to set local policies that specifically protect gardens and to separate gardens out from their wider Brownfield development targets."
Spelman's proposals – the Land Use (Garden Protection) Bill – will now be published. The legislation is due a second reading in the Commons in June.
Read the Commons Hansard record (18 March, column 752)

Keep the Pantmawr community alive! Hands off pantmawr Inn!!

2008-03-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

A Welsh Assembly spokesman confirmed the development. Pub is the Hub has submitted a draft plan to the Assembly suggesting how it can help pubs diversify and offer new income streams. This follows a year-long study by a 17-strong regional Pub is the Hub advisory group, chaired by SA Brains chief executive Scott Waddington. It includes other pub company bosses and Elin Jones, Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs.The draft plan, Rural Pubs and Services Strategy for Wales, suggests how different projects should be supported in different Welsh regions. It urges against pubs being hit by big business rate hikes for adding vital new services.

Pub is the Hub may help Welsh regions Last Updated: 27/03/2008 05:53 The Welsh Assembly Government is considering plans to support Pub is the Hub 27/03/2008 05:53 written by: John Harrington here

The Welsh Assembly Government is considering plans to support the Prince Charles-backed scheme that helps regenerate rural pubs.

The ultimate aim is to secure funding from the Welsh Assembly, mirroring action by regional development agencies in England.

Pub is the Hub co-ordinator John Longden said: “They’ve tapped into our five years of experience with Pub is the Hub and asked how we can help in Wales.

“We will sit down with the Welsh Assembly Government and hopefully move forward with projects that suit the various locations across Wales.”

“The Welsh Assembly Government is already looking at the Pub is the Hub initiative,” he said.

“We welcome any proposals that help keep our communities alive and vibrant.”
I suggest they start by leaving the Pantmawr Inn in Cardiff alone! Stop CharlesChurch demolishing the Pantmawr Innto build more ‘luxury’ flats!

we want the Pantmawr Inn not flats!

2008-03-27T01:41:00.000-07:00

DON'T MISS Unwanted flats legacy of buy-to-let boom
The buy-to-let boom filled towns across Britain with luxury new-build flats - many now sit empty. So can the market recover?- Take the buy-to-let test- Is buy-to-let on the brink of collapse?
Hundreds of flats are empty in Cardiff. Do we really want more?

Bute Park - Cadw Objections to SCALE of bridge

2008-03-25T04:01:00.000-07:00

Cardiff council using the excuse of the "late" objection from CADW which they knew was coming.

Cadw - what do they say?
"I can advise that although the proposal for Bute Park has seen some changes since it was first submitted for our comments, Cadw still remains very concerned at the scale of the proposed bridge and has set these concerns out in detail to planning officers. "
Mrs Lisa Roberts-Clarke Rheolwr Henebyn / Monuments Manager

Yes the bridge is too big! Is that all? Cadw is there to protect our heritage and funded by us!

Garden-grab homes environmental disaster

2008-03-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

Garden-grab homes an environmental disaster This is Money - A new call for laws to block 'garden-grabbing' has branded backyard developments an environmental disaster. Predictions of buy-to-let's demise continue but ...
How to fight back against developers
Stop the garden grabbers call from angry residentsRichmond and Twickenham Times - UKBy Ian Mason Garden grabbing developers are finding themselves facing growing swarms of furious residents as the trend for building on green land continues. ...

Profiteering Developers in Erw Wen!

2008-03-23T04:10:00.000-07:00

Calling themselves "period developments ltd " profiteering developers are busy in Erw Wen

with an application to build a bungalow in the garden of the end terrace house!!!

The only access is through the gate of the existing end terrace property. However they are at work already. Is this allowed? CAN WE RELY ON CARDIFF COUNCIL to turn this down....don't think so given so many recent decisions in favour of profiteering developers in Rhiwbina and all over the city.

You might well ask what vision the ruling councillors have for the city and your neighbourhood! Have a look at the pictures and the street has only room for parking on one side to allow for traffic to go down and the turning circle is very small, and difficult to manoeuvre.

RHIWBINA 08/00356/W
Full Planning Permission Expected Decision Level:DEL
Received: 12/02/2008
Case Officer:Justin Jones
Applicant:Cardiff Period Development Ltd, c/o Agent,
Lewis Webb Associates, 24 Mill Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, , CF14 0XB
Proposal: ERECT BUNGALOW
Part of land at, 20 Erw Wen, Rhiwbina, Cardiff

Agents: Lewis Webb Associates, 24 Mill Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 0XB Write this piece of nonsense! See picture of document below.
"Vehicular access is obtained off the existing circle at the end of the cul-de-sac known as Erw Wen which is shared with the established house at number 20 and then by private drive alongside the existing property.
The access is level and will be surfaced with permeable finishes up and including the Parking/Turning are for two cars alongside the proposed bungalow.
The bungalow itself will comply with the revised approved document part m of the building regulations as far as access is concerned.
All the relevant points will receive due consideration in a inclusive design consideration which preserves the privacy of any adjacent property and takes advantage of an open outlook to the East across the Brook towards the open area on the opposite bank at the end of Heol y Felin. "
New on Face book garden grabbbing
here

Profiteering Developers demolish 23 Beulah Road

2008-03-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

Battles lost - 23 Beulah Road - Gone forever ....and the character of Beulah Road, next to a conservation area, eroded again by profiteering developers with the blessing of the council planning committee. The community says NO but the Council says YES!

What the community said in protest! "The line of the building and the style will be so disruptive, the character and ambiance of the neighbourhood will be lost forever."
We must fight this trend, otherwise the character of Beulah Road will be ruined as more and more developers buy up bungalows, demolish them and replace them with overpriced buildings that are squeezed into their plots. Unless we are prepared to challenge this behaviour the Council will assume that we are all perfectly content to see opportunistic builders destroy attractive and traditional buildings for a quick buck. It is important that the community has a voice and that we use it!

"I think this current trend in Cardiff by developers of knocking down perfectly good old dwellings of character to cram as many new dwellings as they can get away on the plot must be stopped.It will completely destroy the pleasant appearance of our older suburbs and in the process we will lose valuable trees bushes etc.which are vital habitat for the survival of our rapidly diminishing wildlife and which are essential for the pollination of the flowers, veg, fruit ect. in our gardens.It will be a crying shame if we allow these greedy developers to get away with criminal destruction of the pleasant area we live in. We must do all we can to stop it."

"Beulah Road is well known for its beautiful trees and housing; however, it is slowly being corrupted by a mish mash of new housing.We need to preserve the special ambiance we have here in Rhiwbina and are very worried that the Council's Planning Committee seems unwilling to protect the predominantly low level housing originally built in the area. Though we understand the Government's policy of allowing building on brownfield sites, it seems in Rhiwbina that we are being targeted by builders wishing to squeeze either over-large houses into those originally designed for single bungalows, or build two smaller dwellings where the originals once stood"

History
May 9, 2007 Protest against the demolition of 23 Beulah Road
May 14, 2007 Protest at 23 Beulah Road Rhiwbina with pics
May 23, 2007 23 Beulah Road - still time to send in your objection s
May 15, 2007 with pictures of protest 23 Beulah Road Decision Deferred by planning committee
June 16, 2007 23 Beulah road recommended for approval before people get to see the new plans!
June 21, 2007 High drama at Cardiff County Council 20th June 2007 planning meeting re the 23 Beulah Road application

RAG’s Letter Writing Campaign to the Inspector is Re-launched

2008-03-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ted ThurgoodChairman RAG. "A short while back I emailed you to say that RAG’s letter writing campaign to the Inspector of the Public Inquiry into Western Power’s Fourth planning application has hit the buffers as the Case Officer at the Inspectorate has made an unusually strict interpretation of the rules governing Public Inquiries and was refusing to accept emails or letters to the Inspector from the public and was returning them to their authors.

We have now spoken to the Inspector on this matter and he has said that he is willing to accept letters from local people until 15th April 2008 at the latest.

We are therefore re-launching our letter writing campaign to the Inspector and strongly urge you to write or email him without delay. I copy below for your convenience the briefing note we had prepared earlier which is still relevant."

RAG’s Brief for Letter Writers to the InspectorOpposing Western Power’s Fourth Planning Application Western Power’s Fourth Planning Application for housing development on Llanishen Reservoir, which was rejected by the Planning Committee, is now on appeal to the Welsh Assembly Government and will go to a Public Inquiry under an Independent Inspector that opens on 28th May 2008.RAG will, of course, fiercely oppose this application at the Inquiry but it’s vital that the Inspector knows how strongly local people oppose this destructive proposal and how important the reservoirs are to them as the central feature of the Nant Fawr corridor.
Set out below are some suggestions which we hope you will find helpful in drafting your ownletters. Use you own words but please write or email the Inspector now. This is how you canmake the full impact of RAG’s members felt where it matters most.
Write Now:-BY POST to or by E-MAILtoThe Planning inspectorate, wales@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk
Welsh Assembly, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff. CF10 2NQ

Bute Park

2008-03-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

There has been work work done -digging on that site since I last took pictures! There is a very steep drop down from the road now! They must stop working on it.

I took pictures of some of the trees marked with an X which usually means they are to be chopped down!
This Plus the 3 in the picture below. See the web album for more pictures.

There was a notice on the door of planning meeting at city Hall to say that Bute Park wasn't on the agenda yesterday 19th March. They haven't withdrawn the plans, they just withdrew the proposal at the planning meeting this month. The plans have not gone away. We should use this extra time to get as much support as possible so there is a clear message being sent to the council.

Sign the petition as the dates have been extended as there is morre time to collect signatures and to send emails/letters to Julian Stedman and Richard Cole

JENNY RANDERSON
Thank you for your e-mail and for drawing this application to my attention.

Both myself and the local Councillors have objected to the application and I understand it has now been withdrawn and will not be considered by the Planning Committee this week.

I am investigating with the Planning Department to see whether it has been permanently withdrawn or whether it is still to be considered at a future planning committee. If that is the case, I will let you have further details.
pp Jenny Randerson

The Sophia Gardens field which was used for circuses and events with stalls is having a big area stripped just now - looks like car-parking extension, have you seen any explanation?

A friend of Bute Park was told by the council that one couldn't see the officers' report as it has "no status", so to quote "I've demanded it under Freedomn of Information - the Regs allow us to see any completed document. Have also asked for the withdrawal letter. Once they concede those, we should have access to all others in the file, which would have been publicly available if it had gone to Committee."

Plans for city park road put on hold - icWales
PLANS to build a controversial road through Cardiff’s Bute Park have been withdrawn for further consideration.icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/03/19/plans-for-city-park-road-put-on-hold-91466-20644588/
Saturday, 15 March 2008 - icWales
Save Bute Park SIR – I am a student in Cardiff and am writing to express my outrage that the council are planning to build a nine-metre wide road, ...icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/.../western-mail-letters/2008/03/15/saturday-15-march-2008-91466-20626604/

Council withdraws Bute Park massacre plans

2008-03-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am told that Cardiff Council has withdrawn the plans for the bridge and road in Bute Park to "allow further consideration of proposals"!

I hope they are going to restore the damaged area of park to its former glory!

Friends of Bute Park say to Cardiff Council ...We will be watching you !!

Covenants on Bute Park, Cadw. HLF. RHS

2008-03-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Q. Is the choice of site due less to rational & practical considerations than to avoiding taking on board possible opposition on the grounds of covenants which only cover a Southern section.

More Questions for the planning committee

Q. Are the current proposals “disproportionate”; in particular the idea that access should be provided for articulated lorries to service the nursery was seen as wholly unnecessary.

Q. Are the Council heeding CADW's advice?

Q. Has the heritage lottery fund been made aware that CADWs advice has been ignored?

Q. Would tinkering at the current scheme which may be proposed tomorrow) be acceptable to HLF or RHS?

Q. Would HLF or RHS feel like us that CADW’s advice would need to be taken on board at a deeper level?

Q. Would an engineer designed concrete bridge be acceptable to anyone or organisation? What standard of design would be required in a Grade 1 listed park, &/or a historic place that was to be funded by an HLF grant

Q. What does HLF and RHS feel about the the effect on the Taff Trail? Is there sufficient account of how this would impact on cyclists and pesdestrians, seeing the Taff Trail as having intrinsic historic value.

Q does it seem ill-advised to embark on such a major scheme on the proposed site now, rather than wait until the ambulance services relocate and then consider any interventions more holistically.

Q. Is it correct that the current scheme has NOT got the backing of HLF – and that any HLF grant does NOT depend upon such a scheme being implemented –

500 plus Empty Flats in Cardiff - do we need more?

2008-03-18T04:22:00.001-07:00

Do we need more flats in Cardiff? Council Officers recommend that the Pantmawr Inn be demolished and more flats 'built'..crammed into a small space in an estate which will now have the only amenity taken away!

Q. How many empty flats in Cardiff?
A. 500 plus - and empty for 6 months at least (estimated figure from the private sector housing department of Cardiff Council ) Nov 2007 figures.
Many new apartments are not identifiable as flats as there is no way to distinguish them from houses! There are also 3,200 empty houses and shops.

Q. Do the owners of empty property pay council tax?
A. No, I am not certain, but I believe they don't have to for 6 months and then they pay 50%

Too many flats and not enough amenities say experts so why are we knocking down pubs to build more flats???

Q. Councillors - What is your vision for Cardiff?
A. concrete deserts with flats in communities with no amenities within walking distance or green areas trapping elderly, disabled people and children in their homes?

Q. Is it wise 1. to destroy what is historic although not listed as yet, buildings and 2. destroy amenities 3. upset the whole community to build more flats that aren't needed and are badly designed and not needed..luxury flats not affordable flats.

A. ?

The council policies value community facilites and encourage them and favour them so this makes a mockery of all that to destroy facilities. The fact that it is allowed at all to demolish valued buildings with out permission highlights major faults in the Council and national policies and should be challenged. Have the courage to stand up for the community and your voters and welsh history and for what is right! Stick to your vision for Cardiff or is that not worth the paper it is written on? So much for the Lib Dems vision for the community!

1.2 Towards 2000 : A Vision for Cardiff and its Council

1.2.2. The local plan states one of its objectives being to maintain and strengthen pride in the community.

1.4.19 The district and local centres also fulfill an important local function in the life of the city as providers of local shopping, services, employment and

community facilities. The Local Plan seeks to maintain and enhance their

viability and attractiveness

e.g.POLICY 49 DISTRICT AND LOCAL CENTRES: RHIWBINA:

NEW AND IMPROVED RETAIL, OFFICE, LEISURE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE FAVOURED, SUBJECT TO:

Pantmawr application contrary to policy 49. Community facilities should be favoured and therefore should not be removed

H6. SUFFICIENT LAND WILL BE PROTECTED WITHIN, OR ADJACENT TO,

RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND IN OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND...

500 plus Empty

BBC NEWS | Wales | Cities 'building too many flats'

Too many flats and too few houses are being built in Wales's biggest cities, claims a leading planning expert. Cardiff has seen the largest increase, ...

Richard Price, the HBF’s Welsh planning and policy adviser, said, “I would say there are too many flats being built in Cardiff.

Is there really a Pointe to this? - icWales

n private, some say too many poorly thought-out flats were thrown up during ... Despite this, many more apartments are on the way. Cardiff council figures ...

Bubble bursting in trendy apartments market - icWales

The Design Commission for Wales, which advises the Welsh Assembly Government on urban design, says the lack of open space and facilities provided in high-density housing developments is a “major concern”.

Prof John Punter, PunterJ@Cardiff.ac.uk a commissioner with the DCfW, said, “It seems to me that parking occupies the whole of the ground. There’s no amenity space, and that’s shocking really. It’s not going to provide a quality environment at the moment, so it will be a big problem in the future.”

Oh Yeah...is it the 1st April already!

2008-03-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Q.Will the Council or 'applicant' make good the damage done to grade 1 listed Bute Park in Cathays conservation area before planning permission is given ? Will all work on the site now stop as there is no planning permission?

A. As far as I am aware the work carried out was to do with parks management in respect of a diseased tree which required felling for safety reasons and other small trees needed to be felled to make room. However if you require firm information you need to contact Parks services.Regards Bobmailto:RDerbyshire@cardiff.gov.uk

As I said, best to contact the parks department, Planning Committee members have not been informed of any work.

bob

Cardiff Council Secret!!! Why did council 'pull' Bute Park planning application??

2008-03-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

Why the secrecy??? Tell us whats happening!!!

Ask your councillor for a clear statement on why the application was pulled from the Agenda. The officers can't say if the "applicant" withdrew it, only senior officers, and that the senior officer in 'development control' decided to "pull" it from the Agenda - but the Cttee chair may still make a statement.

Meantime, today's deadline for objecting to the amended plan will be treated loosely. They can't say how many objections received!

Write to Cllrs...Contact your Councillors, MP, MEPs, or Welsh AMs for free here
and to the planning committee..

cpearcy@cardiff.gov.uk, cathy@btinternet.com,
gharris@cardiff.gov.uk, gbird@cardiff.gov.uk, rderbyshire@cardiff.gov.uk, rcook@cardiff.gov.uk,JParry@cardiff.gov.uk, arobson@cardiff.gov.uk, mislam@cardiff.gov.uk,

Remind your councillor that the Petition can be found more than 1,348 signatures!!!here http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Save-Bute-Park
or http://gardengrabbing.blogspot.com/

New/amended plans for Bute Park???

2008-03-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Adrian Robson writes I know that Jayne has mentioned to you about the application being withdrawn. Just to remind you (as I am responding to everyone else who has contacted me on this issue today!) that I cannot comment prior to the committee meeting should there be any amended or new application.

Adrian Robson Independent Councillor for Rhiwbina and Pantmawr arobson@cardiff.gov.uk

I’ve forwarded your objection to the Planning Dept so it’s included when the decision is being made by the Planning Committee, and I’ve also objected myself already, on behalf of the residents who have contacted me on this matter.

Jon Aylwin JAylwin@cardiff.gov.uk
Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cathays

Bute Park Masssacre ..Reasons for withdrawal?

2008-03-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

Max says
Has anyone else heard this? We need it confirmed by other Cllrs. Do enquire into the reason for withdrawing, which may have been technical or may have been some Lib-Dem Cllrs going against it. It is a victory, if withdrawal means they cannot now fund the bridge structures from 'surplus' in the 2007-8 budget. So thanks to all for helping with the pressure!

Neil McEvoy "It's probably a delaying tactic before the election on May 1st. My advice is to vote Plaid for a councillor who will oppose this vandalism or make sure you know the views of candidates on this issue before May's elections and vote accordingly. My advice is not totally partisan, just issue based."

Anne "The Green Party would never agree to a scheme like this."

Bute Park withdrawn from agenda of next weeks planning meeting!

2008-03-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am advised by my local Cllr Jayne Cowan that the application re Bute Park has been withdrawn from the agenda of next weeks planning meeting.

Royal Horticultural Society

2008-03-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

The Council claim the support of the RHS!
para 15. The Royal Horticultural Society is a key partner in the Bute Park proposals and they fully support the provision of improved vehicular and pedestrian access. This will in turn assist in developing the RHS Spring Flower Show in Bute Park as a long term attraction and major event. Bute Park is a grade 1 listed Park. http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ObjView.asp?Object_ID=9508&Language=&YYY=0

Dear Anne Thank you for your email.

I will bring it to the attention of Bob Sweet, the Head of Shows Development, and Georgina Barter, the Show Manager for the RHS Spring Flower Show at Cardiff.

Yours sincerely,
Sarah Pain Assistant to Head of Shows Development
020 7821 3029 www.rhs.org.uk

Stop Bute Park destruction. Cyclists Objections. Take Action!

2008-03-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

Details of the Cllrs on the planning committeee below and Cathays Cllrs - Write to them!
600 plus signed the petition so far!!!

Support from Sam Knight student group Sam Knight for Ethical and Environmental Officer

Sam says on the petition ..Mar 14, 2008, Sam Knight , "This is the biggest farce I have seen for a long time. Not only has this happened without any permission, it has been happening with the pretense of "helping" Bute Park. Bute Park is not only a place where many events still happen for the people of Cardiff but is also part of the heritage of Cardiff Castle and a haven for people and wildlife to escape the ever growing city. These unnecessary activities must stop if we are to retain Bute Park."

Media coverage Bute Park road angers campaigners BBC News, UK - Green campaigners claim the peace and tranquillity of Cardiff's Bute Park is in danger of disappearing amid council plans to improve its access. ...

‘Our park is a gem, please don’t ruin it’ - icWales
The council is seeking permission to create a dedicated road into Bute Park for council vehicles and articulated lorries delivering for major events. ...icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/03/13/our-park-is-a-gem-please-don-t-ruin-it-91466-20616146/ - 15 hours ago

In our last effort before Wednesday's planning committee, e-mail Councillors with your views.
They are trying to rush the decision, when information on which trees are to be demolished, lopped or re-located is still awaited, when the custodians of the Memorial trees have not been notified. And when they haven't followed policy for a cycling audit of proposed schemes (especially necessary for one affecting the national Taff Trail route. So they could defer the decision (if it looks close).

The over-sized scheme is to take artics into the Park, to the Nursery, and coaches of children to the Study Centre. Neither should be allowed.

clearing all trees from North Road for the intended route in advance of permission is a disgrace; I hear the Head of Planning (Dev Control) took it up but is being blocked at chief officer level. No notification let alone consultation of the Conservation Officer and Tree officer took place. Why are the Cllrs allowing this blatant flouting of planning law?

the case officer talked to me of "huge" impact to the aboretum at the rear of the Nursery, driving a swathe through Memorial trees etc through a new entrance. But in his report he had to write "siginificant" impact, because that's what the Parks rep says and there huge political pressure to get it through.

improvements to the existing accesses at North Lodge (rear of Castle) and Blackweir (new bridge over feeder canal) would suffice at much lower cost. The case officer has argued for these, but has had to report the promoters' objections as over-riding rather than him judging a balance between environmental impact and accommodating the largest lorries even in convoy.

The 4 CATHAYS Cllrs on the list are not on the Cttee, but could take up points in advance, write their own objections and speak at the Committee. Press them to agree to do it! Simon WAKEFIELD is also in the Cabinet (Exec member for Environment)

Cardiff Cycling Campaign Objections
Ken Barker Secretary, Cardiff Cycling Campaign to FAO Richard Cole,
Development Control, City Hall, Cardiff developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk

11th March 2008 Dear Mr. Cole,
Bute Park new access, Bridge and Roadways, planning application 07/02649/C

We were briefly consulted on an early outline version of this access that ruptures the mandatory cycleway, but provides the benefit of access to the cycleway to and from Corbett Road. However, the new details raise particular concerns at the poor consideration given to cyclists.

We point out this would become a significant route for cyclists, as the cut-through the Park over the Millennium Bridge to and from the University and other offices is a key route avoiding the city centre. It would also be chosen by some cyclists from Gabalfa and Pontcanna in preference to using Colum Road.

We object to the present design and seek changes covering the following:

No indication of priority for vehicles or cyclists movements is shown. We propose cyclists to have priority against vehicles emerging from the Park, whereas vehicles can have priority entering from North Rd and Corbett Rd. We reason that vehicles will be waiting for an appropriate traffic light phase for access onto North Road, and should not block the cycleway for all that time.

As the lights phase is not clear to vehicles emerging from the Park, a traffic light control would be preferable (and safe) and appropriately coupled to traffic lights for both directions of the cycleway.

The turning areas for vehicles within the car park (northern and southern parts) need physical separation from the cycleway. Note this is marked as a mandatory cycleway, but not always respected by vehicles while the turning space is so limited as to encourage drivers to trespass on the cycleway. The physical separation could be simply bollards for the lengths that are designated for turning.

The layout must be designed to enable cyclists to exit into Corbett Road. We note vehicles are to be prevented from this movement, but cyclists can fit in easily (readily see the traffic pulses and cross as pedestrians do at present). Cyclists would make this movement even if not designed. It must be designed in – a specific gap in the lengthened separation island would be best in safety terms, with a red box ahead of southbound waiting vehicles.

From Corbett Rd into the Park and onto the cycleway, there should be an advanced cyclist box with mid roadway feed-in (there is as much or more space than at the similar Park Place crossing of Boulevard de Nantes).

Because of the complexity and importance of this issue (and costs involved), we ask the Planning Committee to require detailed proposals, including safety/cycling audits before permitting this new access to the Park.
We would be pleased if you could include our comments and objections in your report on this planning application.

Ken Barker Secretary

Note the on-line petition and blog-site below.
SAVE BUTE PARK http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/258751882
http://gardengrabbing.blogspot.com/2008/03/chainsaw-massacre-protest-bute-park.html

Planning Committee DEVELOPMENT CONTROL Cttee
19th March, 2.30 pm, Ferrier Hall in the City Hall
cpearcy@cardiff.gov.uk, cathy@btinternet.com, gharris@cardiff.gov.uk, gbird@cardiff.gov.uk, rderbyshire@cardiff.gov.uk, rcook@cardiff.gov.uk,
JParry@cardiff.gov.uk, arobson@cardiff.gov.uk, mislam@cardiff.gov.uk,
jcarter@cardiff.gov.uk, jreece@cardiff.gov.uk, jon@cathays.info, JAylwin@cardiff.gov.uk,
simon@cathays.info, wakefield@cf.ac.uk, swakefield@cardiff.gov.uk

Cathy PEARCY, 14, Caerleon Road Mynachdy CF14 3DR Tel: 20613945 Fax: 20613945 Mob: 07871056908 LD cpearcy@cardiff.gov.uk, cathy@btinternet.com
Gerald HARRIS, 40 St Malo Road Heath CF14 4HN Tel: 20217986 Fax: 20628308 Mob: 07974413554 LD gharris@cardiff.gov.uk
Gillian BIRD 27, Elgar Crescent Llanrumney CF3 5RU Tel: 20794433 Fax: 20770865 Lab gbird@cardiff.gov.uk
Patricia BURFOOT 60, Kimberley Road Penylan CF23 5DL Tel: 20488796 Fax: 20488796 LD
Robert DERBYSHIRE(Chair) 876, Newport Road Rumney CF3 4LJ Tel: 20777805 Fax: 20777805 LAB
Ralph COOK 1, Cemaes Crescent Trowbridge CF3 1TA Tel: 20793809 Fax: 20793809 Mob: 07966522149 LAB rcook@cardiff.gov.uk
Asghar ALI 195, Cyncoed Road CF23 6AJ Tel: 20752018 Fax: 20752018 Mob: 07974773273 LD
Richard FOLEY(Deputy Chair) 1 Watton Close Llanishen CF14 5DG Tel: 20758386 Fax: 20758386 C
Jacqueline PARRY 24 Claremont Avenue Rumney CF3 4LR Tel: 20779760 Fax: 20779760 Mob: 07919962479 LAB JParry@cardiff.gov.uk
Richard JERRETT 18 Wordsworth Avenue Roath CF24 3FQ Tel: 20484957 Fax: 20484957 LD
Adrian ROBSON 174, Manor Way Whitchurch CF14 1RN Tel: 20619237 Fax: 20827486 Mob: 07973145116 IND arobson@cardiff.gov.uk
Mohammed-Sarul ISLAM 2 Trevithick Street, Riverside, CF11 6EB
Tel: 20343847 Fax: 20343847 Mob: 07976358696 PC mislam@cardiff.gov.uk

CATHAYS Councillors
Joseph Carter 45, Ael Y Bryn, Llanedeyrn CF23 9LG Tel: 20734659 LD jcarter@cardiff.gov.uk
Jane Reece 115, Heath Mead, Heath CF14 3PL Tel: 20762104 Fax: 20762104 PC jreece@cardiff.gov.uk
Jon Aylwin The Old Coach House Brithdir Street Cathays CF24 4LG Tel: 20410678 Fax: 20644510 LD jon@cathays.info, JAylwin@cardiff.gov.uk,
Simon Wakefield 29, Insole Grove West Llandaff CF5 2HH Tel: 20569657 Fax: 20569657 Mob: 07763348334 LD simon@cathays.info+ wakefield@cf.ac.uk + swakefield@cardiff.gov.uk
-----------------------------------------

Where no e-mail is given, try InitialSurname@cardiff.gov.uk

No articulated lorries in Bute Park - stop the carnage

2008-03-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Max writes a response to No. 337 intervention on the petition "anonymous" purports to give "real information", quoting from the kind of twisted document that promoters write to support
grandiose schemes. That they were thinking to take in 700 cavavans to Eisteddfod parking (now off the agenda) shows their crass insentsitivity to our peaceful arboretum.

The plans show a 9-metre wide bridge and 4-metre roadways (with passing verge of reinforced turf) designed to take articulated lorries. No-one in their right minds would say this is minimal impact on a Historic Park.

The Royal Horticultural Society and Heritage Lottery fund want improved access - and the aim to separate pedestrians from the occasional lorries to events can readily be achieved at much lower cost (than £1.4 million!) and far less damage to the Park and arboretum.

The present bridges are not strong enough for the largest lorries - okay, we can't have those in the Park. The Nursery say an articulated lorry did bring bedding plants from the Netherlands. In future when the Nursery purchases plants, let them instruct the suppliers about acceptable size and weight limits.

Why is the Council so insensitive to the historic Park and why do they refuse alternatives?

# creating a separate pedestrian path from the roadway behind the Castle, with a separate pedestrian bridge over the canal/moat

# improved entrance and new bridge over the feeder canal at Blackweir ambulance station; there is a design already in the plans, impacting a little on the playing field

# no "public vehicle access" to the Nursery Study Centre - meaning coaches and minibuses of school children - park on North Road and let them walk!

What is disgraceful is that Council officers have gone ahead with cutting down trees (some in the wrong place) and earthworks in a Conservation Area and historic park without any planning approval. At least it shows vividly the kind of damage that insensitive
officialdom can do.

Chainsaw massacre protest Bute Park

2008-03-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

No you can't come in here - its a building site? So who is breaking the law? There is NO planning permission for this work!

Have you seen the destruction, on the pretence of taking down a diseased tree! I Hope you are appalled. Are the Council officers covering up this unlawful action BEFORE planning permission?

Protesters gathered today to protest against this Council sanctioned anti social behaviour! No planning permission has been granted for this ROAD 9 metres wide through the park!

Does this look like managed tree felling? NO! ...And there are the contracotrs happily bringing big pieces of equipment on site to cause more damage to a site previously untouched for years in Cathays conservation area.

Did this before nesting season! So as not to be delayed about considerations of wildlife as they have obliterated everything on site. Stop it now before there is more damage!

Bute Park - relocate the Business not the Trees

2008-03-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

The plans for the new roadway in Bute Park into the rear of the Nursery do not show the further trees they intend to demolish. But the attitude of the officials promoting the scheme on the 10 March site visit was appalling.

Seven trees including memorial trees are to be "relocated" and others to be lopped to allow the lorries passage. But the plans don't show the trees that are to go, the practicalities of moving 30-foot trees and damage/failure is not considered, and the whole impact on this peaceful memorial area is ignored. They don't aim for minimal impact but want an over-wide 4-metre roadway and a big curve under the spreading oaks (lop the lower branches) to cut the corner.Surely time to tell them - if they can't run their business for supplying plants around the city with minimal impact, it's the business that has to be re-located, not the trees.
Max Wallis
Plans at the City Hall, ref. 07/02649/C
objections due by 17 March for Planning Cttee on 19 March.

What is the carbon footprint of this plan?

See also Developments are clogging green lung - icWales
I HOPE that people will support the protest against further development in Cardiff’s Bute Park.

Save Bute Park from Cardiff Council

2008-03-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

Necessary Maintainance? = Vandalism?
or Just getting ready for the unneccessary ROAD without planning permission? Are the council officers covering up for each other ?

Planning officer did say investigations are still underway on what action to take (his objections were over-ridden), so do ask him - Richard Cole 2087 1668. .... you've seen the destruction, on the pretence of taking down a diseased tree. Hope you were appalled! Are the Council officers covering up this unlawful action ahead of planning permission. Will you support action against those responsible?

The planning services have the duty of protecting other important trees and hedgerows. Although it is possible to make TPOs on any trees, in practice they are most commonly used in urban and semi-urban settings, for example gardens and parkland. A TPO is to protect trees for the public's enjoyment. It is made for the 'amenity' of the tree or woodland, and this can include its nature conservation value but more often means its visual amenity. Details of orders, applications for work and decisions are kept by the local authority and should be available for public inspection. Why are these details not kept and available for inspection as the trees are in a conservation area?

Bute park is I believe a Conservation Area which is an area designated by the Local Planning Authority as one of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Special controls exist with regard to demolition of buildings, advertisements and the like within the Conservation Area. Listed Building Consent must also be obtained for any demolition, even if the building is not itself listed. Similarly, trees are treated more or less as if they were subject to a Tree Preservation Order. To work on trees within a Conservation Area a landowner (Cardiffcouncil) needs to give six weeks notice in writing to the local authority (Cardiff council).
What is permissable is felling or working on a dead, dying or dangerous tree. Or works where there is a direct need to work on the tree to allow development to commence for which detailed planning permission has been obtained - which has not been granted in this case yet. Plans have been amended but not finalised so the planning application to the committee should be postponed until there is another site visit when the latest plans have been made available to the public and relevant people to comment. Is this possible? It seems corrupt to push through plans which have not yet been finalised and the public no chance to scrutinise.

What is totally unacceptable is to start the work before any permission is granted on the pretext that the tree felling was necessary and just a coincidence. A look at the devastion doesn't convince anyone that this is responsible maintenance. See the pictures here. http://gardengrabbing.blogspot.com/

Conversation with MR Frazer - tree czar Bute park.. this morning below:

Some questions I wondered if you could answer...I asked Mr Frazer this morningwhen he returned my call..
Q. is the tree with the yellow X to be chopped down?
A. em…no it isn't

Q. Do any of the trees in Bute Park have a TPO?
A. No

Q. Who is responsible for the trees in Bute Park and decides on which get felled?
A. Mr. Frazer

Q. Does he need permission to cut down trees? Does a report have to made on the trees felled.
A. Tells me that I don’t really understand the reasons why it goes on
No report, he just issues instructions.

Q. Why did they cut down all those other trees near the mature beech that was felled because ..we were told it was diseased? (a coincidence!)
A. Mr. Frazer “We couldn’t dismantle the tree without clearing a working area. It had to be cut from the base” This he tells me is because it was in such a bad state it couldn't be climbed. And the trees that where also cut down? “majority about 20 dead elms and just maples, one ash that was decayed”

TPOs provide protection for trees on private property. Why is the council treated differently with trees in a conservation area whuch should be treated as if they have TPOs?

Mr Frazer: The trees have would still have to come down for health and safety reasons. Permission would be sought but it wouldn't have stopped the work.

Mr. Frazer “you have to look at these things sensibly.”

Q. Do you keep a record of trees that have been felled and how many?
A. Mr Frazer: “We don’t keep records, we get lots of storm damage.

The latest planning application (for North Road access road to & through park ) he tells me isn’t finalised yet.

The council must get a view from Mr. Frazer who is in charge of the trees but he doesn’t know yet exactly which remaining trees in the way of the path will be affected.

Q. Is there a covenant covering the trees in the park or any other covenants relating to the park?
A. Mr Frazer “not that I am aware of”

Q. Is the big oak safe from being felled or lopped?
A. Mr. Frazer tells me the lower branches ill be ‘pruned’, “they would have to be pruned eventually anyway”
Q. Why?
A. Mr. Frazer “Canopy would grow over other existing trees depriving them of light. We lift crowns if they grow too low to allow access to mowing machines and tractors to go through. We don’t go pruning a great deal”
(another coincidence?)

Mr. Frazer thinks that actually it may be just a holly to come out. He hopes they can squeeze the road through the sorbus collection. He also says we are reading the plans wrong as the road will sweep around the oak. He wants to keep as many trees as possible. They have had to remove 20 trees on Llandaff Field with chestnut canker.

There should be another site visit when the plans are finalised and the planning application suspended until there are final plans in place and time for a proper public consultation. I think the council should be challenged and complaints made about starting the work before planning permission is granted.

Action ....You can adopt a tree, £60 with a plaque £150 ..Could we adopt that one withthe Yellow cross X on!?

Notes
SE district managed by Rob Jones. John Maidment is the parks manager.
From cardiff council website

Desecration of Bute Park

2008-03-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Planning committee and officers and protesters met today at Bute Park. It is a scandal that the council didn't wait to get planning permission before it started the chainsaw massacre. However, we were told that the devastion you can see in the pictures is part of PLANNED PARK MAINTAINANCE!!!...nothing to do with the application for a 9 metre wide road. Oh yeah!!!!

A short scene filmed below pictures - where officers justify having a road so that articulated lorries that 'need' to go to the nursery can!!!
Q Why do huge articulated lorries need a big road into the park knocking down tres and destroying the LISTED (conservation area!) park environment?
A. To deliver bedding plants!!
Q Why are we cutting down memorial trees and where are they?
A Don't know where they are.

Mr Frazer from Cardiiff Council is the person responsible for memorial trees. He doesn't know that any memorial trees are to be afffected. He does say that if that were the case they try and notify the person in advance of loss of the tree.

Richard Cole the planning officer aid he didn't think there where any on the latest amended plans. There where 7 trees in all left to be 'replaced' (i.e. chopped down to you and me) or relocated.

Q. What about the trees removed already?
A. Mr Cole tells me that the Parks deparment maintain trees and there was a BEECH with a fungal disease that had to be taken down along with surrounding trees to enable the removal of the mature beech. It is just COINCIDENTAL that these trees where in the area of the site of the ROAD.

Q. how big is this road?
A. Mr Cole tells me 9 metres - there will be also a timber enclosure 7.35 metres wide to stop lorries falling off the bridge. Resin bound gravel surface and half a metre each side of reinforced turf.

Q. Has any account being taken of the noise of the road in the park?
A. No account has been take of the noise from the road. The surface material has not been evaltraed it seems for noise.

Q. Pedestrians and cyclists will have to share this road as there is are planned facilities for pedestrains ..no footpath or cycle lane.

Q is there a speed limit?
A. I don't know

See also Tree Massacre Bute Park
for more information

Q. What does a YELLOW X on a tree mean?
A. I spoke to the council TPO officer who said that a yellow x on a tree means normally that it is to be felled. do you remember there was a big tree to the left from where we started on north road close to the felled beech with a x on it. At the site visit we were told that they didn't know why it had a X on.

Mr Frazor is responsible for memorial and all trees in the park 20684000

The TPO officer also said that the trees where felled before he saw the site to make a report. Applicants who wish to (CHOP DOWN ) remove trees or relocate them should produce a Contraints Plan also A tree protection plan

This is a large council run project and they should adhere to the law like every one else and follow procedure and not start work before they get planning permission!

20 Erw Wen has applied for a dormer bungalow to be built in the garden.

2008-03-10T02:54:00.000-07:00

Garden grabbing at 20 Erw Wen has applied for a dormer bungalow to be built in the garden.
more info later as going to Bute Park to save the trees!

View Larger Map

No2 pantmawr Inn demolition - Object to Pantmawr Application

2008-03-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

Pantmawr Development - Charles Church Wales & West submitted second planning application to develop the Pantmawr site. Ref number 07/01980/W. - is this correct?

The Cardiff local plan states that the planning framework is geared to preserving and enhancing the quality of life and environment of the city, in so far as this is affected by decisions about land use and transportation planning.

The Pantmawr Inn is the heart of community life on the Pantmawr estate, and its loss would impact very negatively on the local community, in other words - tragic.

I consider the amended proposals are still too massive and out of scale with the existing development. I am writing to submit a strong objection to the change of usage, the inappropriate change of use, redevelopment of Pantmawr Inn site.

When the Pantmawr estate was built in the 1950s, the planners were, ahead of the current environmental thinking. They ensured bus services, local shops (now sadly all gone) and a social amenity in the heritage buildings were provided to meet the needs of the estate residents without the need for car journeys. Global warming is clearly, in the very near future, going to drive us back to this type of more localised amenity planning. In the Pantmawr Inn, chosen as the preferred social amenity by estate residents in the 1950s, you already have the sort of localised amenity that future planning will strive to revive. This is the opportunity for the planning of Cardiff to be environmentally forward thinking and community aware by REJECTING the redevelopment.

There are six main detailed points to consider:

Traffic density, narrow and inadequate access roads make the site totally unsuitable for the plans; Roads on the estate were designed over 50 years ago and certainly could not accommodate construction - access problems on the estate - roads are already narrow will make difficulties for residents and noise pollution.

Removal will lead to more traffic as residents are forced to travel to distant alternatives.
The pub is of particular value to the community for its SPECIAL CHARACTER and this proposal is DETRIMENTAL TO ITS AMENITY OR FUNCTION and should not be favoured.
This application is against what is stated in the Local Plan which seeks to maintain and enhance the viability and attractiveness of community facilities in areas such as Rhiwbina.
The Pantmawr Inn is the only local amenity left and a lifeline for all and in particular for elderly and disabled people. This planning application is contrary to the Local Plan which states that it seeks to assist, wherever possible, in reducing the relative disadvantage experienced by particular groups. The proposal undermines and harms the character of the Pantmawr Estate Rhiwbina and Rhiwbina and undermines the vitality and viability of an approved Community facility/business. The proposal is distinctly contrary to the local plan which states one of its objectives being to maintain and strengthen pride in the community.
Overdevelopment of the plot will have an overbearing effect on the neighbouring properties. Insensitive and inappropriate infilling creating a precedent. This planning application is a prime example of insensitive and inappropriate infilling. It is overdevelopment in the sense that there is no evident need for more flats and there is evidence that more houses are required and desired. There has also been a slump in the housing market. How many empty flats are there in Cardiff and how uptodate is that information.
As Prof John Punter, a commissioner with the DCfW, said about new developments in Cardiff “It seems to me that parking occupies the whole of the ground. There’s no amenity space, and that’s shocking really. It’s not going to provide a quality environment at the moment, so it will be a big problem in the future.” This applies to this Pantmawr planning application in particular.
The application is contradictory to the Welsh Spatial plan Building Sustainable Communities Objectives : such as

“ensure that we provide high quality services as accessibly as possible by reflecting changing demographic structure and distribution, providing community services in the main local settlements and specialist services in the area centres”. “Support local community voluntary action and volunteering, fostering social capital and seeking to improve people’s personal aspirations and expectations.”
and to sustain the distinctiveness of local culture
Priorities for investment in community facilities and the re-use of redundant or underused facilities for community purposes
Promote the efficient management and use of resources for the benefit of business, local communities and the environment
This application is contrary to the welsh spatial plan statement on Valuing our Environment The quality of our environment is a fundamental asset; for its intrinsic value, for our economy and quality of life. By safeguarding and enhancing both the natural and built environment we will attract people to and retain them in our communities and preserve the foundations for the future.

The Wales Spatial Plan will be a material consideration for Local Planning Authorities in developing their plans and making planning decisions. In the future, Local Development Plans will need to have regard to the Wales Spatial Plan. The Wales spatial plan wants to build vibrant, safe and cohesive communities - to Promote community interactions that will improve social cohesion;

There are major contradictions to  the Structure Plan (the broad strategic framework for planning in Cardiff)  the District-Wide Local Plan (detailed policies and proposals for the development and use of land, including waste policies) details below:

Policy contradictions

The current development plan framework for Cardiff comprises of 3 elements: one is the Structure Plan (the broad strategic framework for planning in Cardiff)

The Pantmawr Planning Application proposals are contrary to MOVEMENT POLICIES and LOCATION OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS
II) MINIMISE TRAFFIC LEVELS AND RELATED ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT;

as already mentioned above the additional traffic would have an adverse impact on the traffic flow and also have an adverse environmental impact on the area. Traffic density, narrow and inadequate access roads make the site totally unsuitable for the plans, in addition to congestion, pollution, and dangerous conditions for pedestrians particularly children and elderly and disabled people and the negative visual impact.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The Pantmawr plans are contrary to the community facilities policy below. In the Pantmawr case the proposal is to remove the community facilities, the Pantmawr Inn, which is on protected land within a residential area.

H6. SUFFICIENT LAND WILL BE PROTECTED WITHIN, OR ADJACENT TO,

RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND IN OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND

OPEN SPACE AREAS. CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE SOUGHT FROM DEVELOPERS

TOWARDS ANY NEW IMPROVEMENTS ARISING AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED

DEVELOPMENT. WHERE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE OF SUFFICIENT SCALE

PERMISSION WILL BE WITHHELD UNTIL PROVISION OF NECESSARY FACILITIES

INCLUDING OPEN SPACE HAS BEEN SECURED

The Pantmawr is a historical building of historical interest and should be preserved. This building is valued by the community for its historical interest and architectural merit. The Pantmawr development would be incompatible with the special character of the building and detrimental to its amenity or function so should not be acceptable.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT POLICIES

CONSERVATION OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

B1. THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITIES OF THE BUILT AND HISTORIC

ENVIRONMENT WILL BE PROTECTED AND ENHANCED. PARTICULAR PROTECTION

WILL BE GIVEN TO:

I) BUILDINGS OR GROUPS OF BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC

INTEREST (INCLUDING LISTED BUILDINGS AND BUILDINGS IN CONSERVATION

AREAS) AND THEIR SETTINGS;

DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SPECIAL CHARACTER

OF A BUILDING OR AREA, OR DETRIMENTAL TO ITS AMENITY OR FUNCTION, WILL

NOT BE FAVOURED.

The Pantmawr Inn is an addition to tourism and valued by visitors and residents alike. It is recommended on websites as a place to visit. Camra place particular value on this pub. It is accessible for many people by foot.

TOURISM POLICIES

TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

V) ARE WELL LOCATED FOR PEOPLE TRAVELLING OTHER THAN BY CAR;

Local plan the District-Wide Local Plan (detailed policies and proposals for the development and use of land, including waste policies) details below:

1.4.32 Finally, the Plan recognises the importance and needs of existing and planned new communities within the city. As is the case with every local planning

authority, Cardiff comprises many communities, with which residents identify,

and to which they look for the provision of local services and facilities. In

seeking to address the needs of these existing communities, and planned new

ones, there are two distinct, but related aspects:

- firstly, to allow existing communities an opportunity to express views about

the use and development of land in their locality; and

- secondly, to allocate land, or identify need, for community facilities, such as

schools, local centres and open space, including deficiencies in existing

areas.

1.2 Towards 2000 : A Vision for Cardiff and its Council

1.2.2. The local plan states one of its objectives being to maintain and strengthen pride in the community.

1.4.19 The district and local centres also fulfill an important local function in the life

of the city as providers of local shopping, services, employment and

community facilities. The Local Plan seeks to maintain and enhance their

viability and attractiveness.

4.6.9 Where appropriate, the City Council will also seek to achieve, via the grant of planning permission, social or community benefit related to the needs of the locality

6.1.4 The approved County Structure Plan identifies a new dwelling requirement for

the city to 1996 (Policy H1) and provides strategic policies relating to:

_____________________________________________________________________

Need for community facility – the plans for the Pantmawr site are contradictory to the policy here as the Inn is the community facility and 2. rather than provide community facilities this proposal takes them away.

6.2.8. All new housing developments, including those identified in Policy 21 and

others which may come forward within the plan period, will be required to

provide:

- a high standard of design, layout and amenity, in accordance with Policy 11;

- a range and mix of dwelling types including, where appropriate, a negotiated

level of affordable and/or special needs groups housing in accordance with

Policy 24;

- open space in accordance with Policy 31;

- other appropriate community facilities, including the requirements of the

local education authority.

POLICY 49 DISTRICT AND LOCAL CENTRES: RHIWBINA:

NEW AND IMPROVED RETAIL, OFFICE, LEISURE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE FAVOURED, SUBJECT TO:

Pantmawr application contrary to policy 49. Community facilities should be favoured and therefore should not be removed

The plans are contrary to

POLICY 45

SPORT, RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITIES

PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT, RECREATION

AND LEISURE FACILITIES WILL BE FAVOURED:

I look forward to common sense prevailing and this totally inappropriate change of usage and planning application being REJECTED.

Too many flats in Cardiff - need Pantmawr INN more!

2008-03-06T03:24:00.000-08:00

Too many flats and not enough amenities say experts so why are we knocking down pubs to build more flats???

BBC NEWS | Wales | Cities 'building too many flats'

Too many flats and too few houses are being built in Wales's biggest cities, claims a leading planning expert. Cardiff has seen the largest increase, ...
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7089759.stm - 45k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Is there really a Pointe to this? - icWales

In private, some say too many poorly thought-out flats were thrown up during ... Despite this, many more apartments are on the way. Cardiff council figures ...
i

Bubble bursting in trendy apartments market - icWales

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Wales also has concerns, but director Cathy McLean said there seemed to be an unending thirst for apartment blocks.

“There’s nowhere to buy a pint of milk and the Western Mail. Where the residents do that is a complete mystery to me,” she said.

“In a large part of Cardiff Bay, you would have to get in your car to find a shop that sold both those things.

“You probably bought the apartment thinking you were buying into this lifestyle, but the lifestyle doesn’t deliver the necessities of life – a paper and a pint of milk. In an old-fashioned terraced street there will be a shop on the corner.”

Richard Price, the HBF’s Welsh planning and policy adviser, said, “I would say there are too many flats being built in Cardiff. ...

Richard Price Planning and Policy Advisor - Wales richard.price@hbf.co.uk
Phone 02920 646120

Pantmawr Inn Planning meeting 19th MARCH

2008-03-06T02:29:00.000-08:00

Pantmawr Inn is to be heard at the Planning Meeting of 19th March. It will be in the Ferrier Hall at the City Hall, Cathays Park commencing at 2.30.

It is likely that the decision will be deferred for a site visit. The best guess at the present time is that it will take place on Monday 31st March.

Tree Massacre Bute Park

2008-03-02T03:00:00.000-08:00

Latest News - Monday 10th Mrch at 12 noon at tree-massacre site

The Councillors' site visit is scheduled for 10 March at 12 noon and hearing at the Planning Committee on 19 March.

The site visit protocol says it's not an opportunity to lobby Councillors, but "factual matters may be pointed out". If the public turn up in numbers, it helps emphasise the public interest.

The Meeting point on 10 March is opposite the end of Corbett Road
where the fence is down and the line of trees has been ruptured.

There's unresolved objection to the large verges of grasscrete (0.5m to 1.5m on the
corners) as it's visually poor. Any alternative soil reinforcement to take large lorries must not damage tree roots.

Second, they propose to "relocate" seven trees, including memorial trees at the side of the nursery and lop low branches of other overhanging trees, yet:

two of the trees are semi-mature, some 40ft high, even if the others (20ft high) might be dug up and replanted (at some risk of failure)
the trees overhanging the path are one of the features of the arboretum; to prune them back would damage the visual aspect
the impressive massive tree with near horizontal branchesabout 12ft high would be substantially damaged.

So far, the project team have refused to properly consider the options for improving the access to the Nursery and Study Centre via the top end of North Rd car park (next to Blackweir ambulance station). The planners say they have to consider the application before them, not possible alternatives.

A park should be a place of serenity.

Stop the commercialisation of our parks. Has there not been a long-standing principle that park events should be charitable or free?

There are dozens of venues in Cardiff for concerts, exhibitions, and late-night drinking without invading the park. What happened to the common good?

Smear Tactics by developers

2008-02-26T01:32:00.000-08:00

It is well to be aware of smear tactics by developers! They could be coming to you soon!

‘Parachuted newts’ sway planners
RARE newts are being “parachuted” onto controversial development sites far from their natural habitats in a bid to influence planning disputes, it was claimed yesterday.more

Garden Grabbing increased riskes of flooding and London Major hustings

2008-02-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

Garden homes 'raise flood risk'
BBC News - UK
Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the independent inquiry, told BBC 5 Live the surge in garden developments - known as garden-grabbing - increased the risk of ...
See all stories on this topic

02/08 - Fight for allotments is worthy
Grantham Today - Grantham,England,UK
... people who choose to live in the social environment of a town are forced through 'Garden Grabbing' to live more and more like battery chickens. ...
See all stories on this topic

First London Mayor hustings event focuses on environment
Newconsumer.com - London,England,UK
His vision include more vertical gardens and green roofs, and he accused Livingstone of ‘garden grabbing’ and cited that the capital has ‘lost gardens 22 ...
See all stories on this topic

Candidates lead off in "climate change elections"
News Shopper - UK
Mayor Ken Livingstone said he too opposed garden grabbing and laid the blame with local planners. He also stressed the need to drive down CO2 emissions and ...
See all stories on this topic

Work stands still on Hunny flats development
Lynn News - King's Lynn,UK
Dr Burgess said the association had been assured the scheme had not set a precedent for further "garden-grabbing" developments in the area. ...
See all stories on this topic

Save the Pantmawr Inn

2008-02-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

Good news from Cllr Jayne Cowan ....

Just a short note to advise that officials have confirmed that the Pantmawr Inn Application will not be heard by the planning committee in February 2008.

Please continue to send in submissions, as the earliest date this could be heard now is Wednesday 19th March in the Ferrier Hall in City Hall.

If we can be of any further assistance to you in this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Jayne Cowan

Independent Councillor/Cynghorydd Annibynnol

Telephone/Ffôn 029 2062 7757

Fax/Ffacs 029 2087 7005

Mobile/Ffôn Symudol 079 7001 3332

E-Mail/E-bost jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk

Concreting over Bute Park - new entrance from North Road, Cathays

2008-02-11T02:11:00.000-08:00

Proposal: NEW ACCESS, BRIDGE EMBANKMENTS, UPGRADED ACCESS ROUTES
> AND LANDSCAPING
>
> Location: Land west of, North Road, Cathays, Cardiff
>
> Applicant: Cardiff County Council

The new plans fail to show any moderation of the excessive scale of the design or any mitigation of the severe impact on this valued and valuable Park. The Plans still fail to give necessary detail. Nothing is said about consideration of alternatives, which appear to adequately meet the needs at lower cost and far less damaging impact.

I therefore urge rejection of first, the loop to the Nursery, and second of the new Bridge and entrance.

If not immediately rejected, I ask you to require the proposers to provide further information
on 1, considerations of a reduced scale entrance, bridge and roadways
2. height bar to exclude high vehicles that would hit overhanging branches
3. road and junction details at the Corbett Rd entrance, with description of its functioning as a new entrance to the public car park

The alternatives are Improved Access at North Gate - Construct a pedestrian path separate from the roadway, from the - pedestrian gate and closer to the Castle, to a separate small
pedestrian bridge over the Dock feeder stream.

Send your comments to - Julian Stedman DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

PLEASE REPLY TO: Development Control Stategic Planning & Environment,
City Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3ND (e-mail :
developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk) (internet: www.cardiff.gov.uk/dc)

Concreting over your drive leads to flash flooding!

2008-02-08T09:41:00.001-08:00

porous paving

Benn was announcing the new strategy by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for water in England, titled Future Water, which aims to make all users value water more, to introduce a fairer way of paying for it, and to set out a series of new measures and incentives to help conserve water.

Householders, for example, will be encouraged to use "porous" paving on patios and driveways to facilitate drainage, and will not have to seek planning permission if they go down this route. Similarly, they will be asked to reconsider their usage of appliances that use large amounts of water, such as power showers, dishwashers and washing machines, or to look for environmentally friendlier alternatives.

Porous paving move mooted -A change to the rules applying to paving over front gardens has been mooted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in its water strategy for England, just published. It proposes that planning permission should be needed unless porous materials are used.
Download 'Water Strategy – Future Water' (PDF, 700Kb)

Stormwater | Advances in Porous Pavement

An article on Advances in Porous Pavement: Stormwater is a magazine for professionals working ... including the magnitude and frequency of flash flooding. ...
www.gradingandexcavation.com/sw_0503_advances.html - 74k -

Porous defences | Environment | The Guardian

Porous defences. As heavy rainfall again focuses attention on flood ... directive and the proposed soil framework directive as drivers for a more joined-up, ...
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/23/flooding.water - 78k -

2008-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

Amended plans
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne/My%20Documents/Amendedplans-apartmentsfirstfloorplanA2/AmendedenclosuredetailsA1.pdf

CF14 newletter marketing building plots in Rhiwbina?

2008-01-03T03:52:00.000-08:00

"CF14" e-newsletters from Duncan Hockridge are now being used also to market building plots available - currently one "adjacent to 179 Pen y Dre" and one "adjacent to 13 Clos y Blaidd", also "two in Tongwynlais". Map of 179 Pen-y-dre, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14
Rhiwbina Building plots being sold.

Duncan replies ....I am not marketing these sites. The references were purely as a news item as the plots in Rhiwbina had been offered for sale in the Dec. R.H.Seel auction but did not sell. In the past I have often mentioned property items in the area such as the additiional shop for Snails and the closure of roxey etrc.,. A number of my subscribers have told me that they have been seeking plots to build on, hence the references. I am totally against garden grabbing. If you recall at the last Civic Society comittee meeting I mentioned , in confidence, that I was looking at a scheme to save the Pantmawr Inn from being demolished, and this work is continuing. However it is a battle at present due to the downturn in the property market and the associated bank funding problems.

R.H. Seel Next Auction details for the next sale to be held on Tuesday, 12th February 2008 will be available approximately 2 weeks before the auction date. Properties that have been for sale.....Plot adj 179 Pen-y-Dre, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF14

Stonehouse, Thornhill Rd, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF14

83 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF14

1 Pen-y-Bryn Way, Gabalfa, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF14
R.H. Seel