Stop Cardiff Council Lib Dems/Plaid building a a new vehicular and pedestrian bridge and road for articulated lorries into Bute Park, Cardiff listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales as grade I.
Came across this article from 18 September 2008 in roadtransport.com with rather different figures from the ones given at the planning meeting!
Cardiff Council has announced ambitious plans to build a dedicated lorry bridge that will allow hauliers unrestricted access into a park in the heart of the city centre. The local authority estimates that between 50 and 100 HGVs travel into the historic Bute Park every week in order to supply the Nursery, provide equipment for open-air events and maintain and manage water flow in the Dock Feeder.
Existing access involves a busy junction, and the council says it is potentially unsafe.
Concerns have also been mounting for some time that once vehicles enter the park, the close proximity of pedestrians could result in accidents. However, the council's proposals have not prevented campaigners from the Green Party objecting to the cutting down of 10 trees in order to provide space for the bridge.
A council spokesman says if it gets the go-ahead, the bridge will not be tolled and will not have weight restrictions other than "the standard ones applicable for public highways".
Simon Higgins, Road Haulage Association area manager, says: "It can only be a good thing for haulage. We would like to keep lorries away from people. What we don't want to do is pay for the privilege of crossing the bridge. The haulage industry is already hammered with taxes, but if it's free, we have absolutely no objections at all."
The soundbite definition of sustainable development is development that ‘meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Delivering sustainability will require the balancing of economic activity and growth with the protection of environmental systems and the promotion of social justice and quality of life. Help stop the £1.4m bridge/road for articulated lorries into Bute Park, one of the largest city centre parks in the UK, providing the setting for Cardiff Castle, and listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales as grade I. As well the trees chopped down already there are 43 TREES are to be 'pruned' to make way for the passing articulated lorries 2 of them champion trees plus more to be chopped down see the attached picture! The road is a condition of a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to RESTORE the park. I wrote to Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF Wales to complain and she copied the council project team into her reply and they duly wrote saying that-
The provision of a new vehicular access into ButePark is an important element in the total Bute Park Regeneration Project. And telling me "It appears to me that you may not have fully appreciated the complexities of managing a major CityCentrePark"!!
If you have any answers or suggested answers to the following questions please let me know.
Had Cardiff Council thought of moving the nursery business elsewhere so there was no need for articulated lorries into Bue Park?
Are contravening the Bute Park covenant by promoting business and events in the park?
Why was there no independent report to planning committee?
Why was ex member covering parks Clllr Nigel Howells allowed to speak at the planning meeting for the project?
Why was the planning meeting at which was passed totally biased? No officers present where independent of the applicant!
Why was work started before planning permission and not raised at the planning meeting?
Why was the conservation area not mentioned?
Why can't employees of the nursery walk into work and park outside the park?
Are the council planning to allow buses with visitors to the new visitor centre drive into the park rather than outside?
If this was a listed building what is the likelihood of getting permission for a totally new entrance?
Page 1 of 4 CARDIFF COUNCIL CYNGORCAERDYDD EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING: 11 SEPTEMBER 2007 CARDIFF CASTLE AND ITS PARKLANDS - BUTE PARK PROPOSED NEW ACCESS BRIDGE more here 18. To provide essential access for caravans to support the 2008 Eisteddfod at Blackwier Playing Fields. 19. To facilitate good and safe access for future major events in Bute Park. 21. Approval of this scheme costing £1.40million in advance of the 2008/09 budget would secure the grant support offered by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This figure is subject to further detailed costing projections being undertaken
Perhaps the concept of sustainability provides a major new challenge for accountability within cardiff council and HLF because it requires a focus beyond the current generation of consumers, investors, employees and citizens to consider the rights and welfare of the generations to follow.
CADW is supporting this too!! Bute Park http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/landscapes/ukpg/sites/cardiffc.htm Bute Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and with Pontcanna Fields and Sophia Gardens to the west forms a huge open space open to the public within the centre of Cardiff. The park's designer and planer, Andrew Pettigrew, was one of the most important park designers of the second half of the nineteenth century, andthe open, flowing informal design allowed a smooth transition from a private pleasure ground to a public park. Much of the Victorian planting, particularly of ornamental trees, survives. The grounds of Cardiff Castle have a long history of landscaping, going back to the medieval period. The grounds owe their present day appearance to late eighteenth-century landscaping by Capability Brown and late nineteenth-century alterations by the third Marquis of Bute. The park became a public park after 1947.
Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF Wales has copied me into her reply dated 21st October to your email addressed to her dated 19th October concerning the above.
The provision of a new vehicular access into ButePark is an important element in the total Bute Park Regeneration Project.
The Council is committed to ensuring the total Park Regeneration Project is understood and implemented with the full involvement of all Park users. The process has already commenced and a number of specific public consideration exercises were undertaken in the preparation of our successful HLF bid. The process will continue and intensify with the benefit of the grant funding from HLF. The Council places a great deal of importance on the communication process I have referred to above.
I am taking this opportunity to attach a further information sheet The Council specifically produced in relation to the provision of a new access into the park. Hopefully this will be of assistance in clarifying and explaining the need for the bridge, the benefits it will bring to the park and the minimum impact it will have on this wonderful park.
As you are aware the proposal has now received Planning Consent. It appears to me that you may not have fully appreciated the complexities of managing a major CityCentreParkand accordingly I would be happy to meet with you and outline The Councils responsibilities and vision for The Park. This will also enable you to raise and discuss your concerns. If you are agreeable, then please contact me on 02920 788355.
In view of your interests I have copied this response to Jennifer Stewart, Danielle Wheeler and Martin Buckridge of HLF.
More greenwash from Jenny Randerson "I did not read the additional information as I am not a Councillor, nor a member of the planning committee and, therefore, was not party to the discussions or decisions that were made.
I do support environmentally friendly and sustainable policies but, as stated in the Planning Report, the overall benefits of the scheme must be balanced against any potential negative impacts. In this case, amendments were made to the scheme to lessen the negative impact."
Regards, Jenny Randerson
to tell Jenny what you think...email with your views to her assistant Dominic.Hannigan@wales.gov.uk,
Carol.Kelloway@Wales.gov.uk, Dear Anne Thank you for your e-mail. I presume you attended the Planning Committee meeting and, if so, maybe had sight of the Committee Report, which fully explains the rational behind the recommendation and CADW's response. If not, I can e-mail you a copy. pp Jenny Randerson From: Randerson, Jenny (Assembly Member) Sent: 20 October 2008 15:00
GREENWASH from Jenny Randerson, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, has welcomed Cardiff's proposed Local Development Plan - referred to as the Preferred Strategy - as a vision to a "fair green future"...is that what articulated lorries in bute park is?
LIB DEMS .."The Lib Dems have been the party that consistently prioritises future generations and the world we leave to them. It was heartening to see practical examples of sustainable development which means meeting the needs of this generation without compromising future generations' needs."????
HELP THE AGED reply
Thank you for updating us on the situation. I am sorry to hear that your concerns are not being heeded. I hope that Pat Thompson's response will be more detailed and understanding.
With best wishes,Mariam Kemple Campaigns OfficerHelp the Aged
Dear Ms. ... Thank you for your communication of 19th October outlining your concerns about the proposed new bridge at Bute Park. Although the Heritage Lottery Fund has made a substantial award to Bute Park for the restoration of the historic park, the design, planning and construction of the new access bridge does not form part of this award. However we are conscious that the success of the HLF project will depend on the success of the new access bridge, and in particular the acceptance of the bridge by all users of the Park including local residents and community groups. For this reason we have asked the Council to demonstrate the involvement of users both in the design and long-term maintenance of the bridge. We are forwarding a copy of your email to Pat Thomson who is responsible for the project on behalf of the Council, for a more detailed response. Thank you again for your interest in the work of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Yours Sincerely Jennifer Stewart Pennaeth CDL, Cymru/Head of HLF, Wales Llinell uniongyrchol/direct line 029 2023 4144 www.hlf.org.uk
pic of Dan Clayton Jones (Deputy Chairman of the NHMF and HLF, Chairman of the Committee for Wales) who believes a bridge for aticulated lorries contributes to a grade 1 listed park!
Page 1 of 4 CARDIFF COUNCIL CYNGOR CAERDYDD EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING: 11 SEPTEMBER 2007 CARDIFF CASTLE AND ITS PARKLANDS - BUTE PARK PROPOSED NEW ACCESS BRIDGE REPORT OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR AGENDA ITEM: 16 PORTFOLIO: SPORT, LEISURE & CULTURE
Reason for this Report
1. To agree the provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian bridge for Bute Park at an estimated cost of £1.40m as part of the revised 2007/08 capital programme for the Council. Background 2. As part of the Council’s ongoing engagement with citizens and communities, the omnibus survey for 2006 found that Cardiff parks are one of the most highly valued local facilities in terms of user satisfaction. This was underlined by the recent EU Urban Audit Perceptions Survey of 75 EU Cities, which found that 88% of Cardiff citizens were satisfied with the city’s parks and green spaces – the eighth highest ranking of any city in the European Union. 3. The Council has previously agreed that Bute Park is the priority for investment within the agreed Parks Partnership Programme for the Council. 4. The Parks Partnership Programme features 6 major Parks in Cardiff and was established following the introduction by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF’s) Public Parks Programme in 2002. In March 2005 the Council submitted a Stage 1 application for the restoration of Bute Park which included a new vehicular access bridge over the Docks Feeder to provide access from North Road at a point opposite Corbett Road. As part of the application in 2005 this commitment to funding the new bridge by the Council was to be within the overall 5 year Parks Programme and was, therefore, not included in the current 3 year medium term financial plan.
5. In June 2006 the HLF approved a Stage 1 grant of £3.1m towards the overall cost of the project which amounts to £5.6m. The Stage 1 grant specified that the Council needed to demonstrate a commitment to constructthe new vehicular access into Bute Park and the offer excluded acontribution from HLF to the Bridge. Page 2 of 4 6. On the 20 August 2007 the National Heritage Lottery wrote to the Council confirming that:- “the Heritage Lottery Fund view the position of a new bridge over the docks feeder to provide access into the park from North Road as an essential element of the Bute Park Restoration Project. “Accordingly Cardiff County Council will be required to demonstrate a firm commitment to the bridge and provide a construction start date as part of its Phase 2 application to The Heritage Lottery Fund. Without this HLF will not be in a position to commit its funding to the Bute Park Restoration works”. 7. Following the Stage 1 approval, a Stage 2 bid will be submitted in October 2007 and subject to satisfactorily meeting the commitments and requirements of the HLF then confirmation of approval of the Stage 2 bid is expected in spring 2008. Without this commitment and construction start date from the Council by October 2007 there can be no Stage 2 bid to HLF. Issues 8. With the exception of the new bridge (estimated cost £1.40m) all the Council’s contribution towards the Bute Park Regeneration project is in place and has previously been agreed. Any revenue consequences associated with the new access bridge will be met as part of the overall Bute Park Regeneration scheme.
9. The current main vehicle access into Bute Park is off North Road at the North Gate entrance adjacent to the Castle. This access is totally inadequate and limits the capacity of the park to accommodate major outdoor events and prevents public access to the nursery. Furthermore the existing access is a major health and safety concern as it is not possible to effectively separate pedestrians and vehicles, particularly during these major events.
10. The current vehicular access arrangements and safety concerns are a major constraint holding back further development of the Park and the consideration by HLF of the Stage 2 Bid.
11. The new vehicular access bridge will overcome the current difficulties and allow maximum benefit to be achieved from the significant investment planned for Bute Park and that currently in place at the Castle. It will also supplement and support the work currently underway in Sophia Gardens to improve visitor facilities.
12. The new bridge will also significantly improve access into Blackweir Playing Fields and thereby enable this attractive parkland to be brought into greater use for a range of activities and major events. If built by July 2008 this would greatly assist in the planning and support for the 2008 National Eisteddfod when 700 caravans will need to be accommodated for the event. Without the provision of the new bridge the only existing access into and out of Blackweir will be via the Taff Trail cycleway from the rear of Tesco in Page 3 of 4
Western Avenue. Building of the new bridge would assist traffic flows and alleviate the impact on adjacent local communities.
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 ...
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
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?
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!
The heritage lottery fund is funding this so called 'restoration' of Bute Park! £3,123,000
On the 20 August 2007 the National Heritage Lottery wrote to the Council confirming that:- “the Heritage Lottery Fund view the position of a new bridge over the docks feeder to provide access into the park from North Road as an essential element of the Bute Park Restoration Project. HLF & cardiff Council Execut_E_07_09_11_A_rep_R-2.pdf
Cllr Howells Dirty tricks
The last 70 years have seen massive incremental damage to Bute Parks. You can download here the leaflet showing the degree destruction and privatisation that has been allowed in that time and which has escalated over the last few years.
Cllr Howells on the new road or as he calls it 'path' widening and lorry turning circle "full design has yet to be 'WORKED UP'!"
The MAP published alongside Coun Nigel Howells’ piece in the Capital Times had been DOCTORED to show the council’s proposed developments in a more favourable light.
Council officer admited that the artists image was “ephemeral”, and that in reality the bridge would be larger, higher and more visible.
Must read
ECONOMY & CULTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: 18 JUNE 2009 nScrutiny report‘The Economic Role of Parks’
Cardiff Council incurred expenditure of £11,356,089 in respect of vehicle operating costs. more here
Prof Kevin Morgan, school of City and Regional Planning at Cardiff University, believes the planned roadways would desecrate one of the city’s greatest assets, a top-grade Park. Cllr N Howells rubbished criticisms of plans for Victorian parklands 10 Jan 2009
Gateshead Council introducing electric vehicles in council parks here a series of measures which cut Fuel bills cut by £100,000 a year Professor Chris Baines HLF This paper is very much about trees in towns as opposed to those in the countryside. It emphasises the multifunctional environmental
Have your say to Cardiff council
Nov 27,Paul Adams, Come on Cadw, why have you withdrawn your opposition to this scheme to allow articualated lorries to plough through a Grade ! historic park?! Nov 27,Richard James, Driving a road through a Grade I Historic Park? I would expect this from a feckless Council, but shame on CADW - grow a backbone!
Nov 25,Sabrina Cleevely, I strongly object to the building of this bridge. Bute park belongs to the people of Cardiff. This is not restoration but destruction of a very beautiful and peaceful part of the city. Denise Cooper, 'This would be a travisty if this went ahead, the park was given to the people of Cardiff for their enjoyment and not as a thoroughfare.'
Nov 23,Richard Darley, This development has no public support and that Heritage Lottery funding should be encouraging this destruction is outrageous.
Nov 19,Ute Meister, After every big event the grass is churned up and the whole place looks ugly for ages. Once the access road is built, the park will be used even more often for big events and nothing will be able to recover anymore.
Hannah Bevan-Mohaffel, 'This park is listed with CADW on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales and given a Grade 1 listing. Inclusion on this register means that CADW promise 'not to let insensitive development harm the historic and visual character of historic parks and gardens'. Does the council or CADW or the Heritage Lottery Fund think Capability Brown and later Andrew Pettigrew (the original park designers) would ever have dreamt that their design would be destroyed by large roads, built to accommodate huge articulated lorries, polluting the atmosphere and taking away the peace and serenity the park was intended to provide for busy city dwellers??'
Andrew Moon, '1900 signitures for against the road in the park and 2 for it and it still goes through. Please do not sacrifice our quality of life, for money that will not improve the quality of life for the people of Cardiff as much as having an unspoilt park in the first place.'
Gafyn Jones, 'I cycle across Bute Park each morning and it's beautiful as it is. Hands off! '
Edward Gomez, 'I find it unbelievable that Cardiff Council have the new roads as such key part of their plans. What does that have to do with restoring Bute Park'
Margaret Pugh, 'IF THIS ROAD IS ALLOWED TO DEVELOP YOU WILL DESTROY THE VERY THING THAT MAKES CARDIFF UNIQUE AS A CITY. NEW YORK HAS CENTRAL PARK , CARDIFF HAS BUTE PARK. Do you think New York would allow lorries into Central Park?WE NEED TO PRESERVE OUR WONDERFUL HERITAGE.
J E Talbot-Jones, 'We should be looking to reduce the impact and scale of events held within Bute Park, not encouraging and accommodating them. Why must everything revolve around the needs of the internal combustion engine, which appears to have a limited future, rather than concentrating on the flora and fauna, and everyday low key/impact recreational aspects of the Park?
Michael Davies, 'Bute Park is a legacy to the people of Cardiff. Our elected representatives should be the guardians of this very special city centre park. It is a disgrace that both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cardiff City Council are even contemplating this totally unnecessary development. Such a road can only lead to the fragmentation of the park and consequently increase the likelihood of further erosion by developers.'
Robert Gatheridge, 'Many trees have already been lost in anticipation of the planning applications approval. Sophia Gargens had a pavilion where events were held but now it's a car park. I would rather the council get rid of the car park and replace it with a space for events rather than build a road into Bute Park'
sarah fotheringham Cardiff, 'I don't believe it! We are crying out to keep our green spaces Green! Breathing spaces, garden projects, community open spaces, planting trees in streets that have non, and yet we are also ploughing up our green spaces...I don't believe it!! well not in my back yard'
J C Williams, 'These parks are unique to this city and were donated to the people of Cardiff - not just the council -and essential as big spaces for everyone to enjoy safely - with sport, walking, relaxing, and play space for children - the council should appreciate this and leave them as they are. There is no need for lorry access. The council trucks already drive around quite adequately on existing paths.'
'These parks were left for the recreational enjoyment of the citizens of Cardiff not for hosting large scale events which many of those citizens can't afford to attend. This is an area of outstanding beauty and should be preserved intact for future generations.'
Richard Staniforth Cardiff, 'We have fought to retain the Park Lands at the heart of Cardiff for the last twenty years with their gradual erosion starting with the development of the old HTV studio site to housing. The new stadium was only allowed on the basis that it would not have an expanded impact on the Park and surrounding areas. The state of the fields post Eisteddfod is a disgrace - an area that has been used for community football and cricket has been devastated by the hard core laid down in the still fenced off area. Is this sleight of hand to be the new car park for the Stadium to accomodate vehicles for the 2009 test match? The whole area - the lungs of the city and a recreational area for the people of Cardiff is being taken over by commercial interests. I strongly object to this development.'
Richard Jackson Dinas Powys, 'I strongly feel that the Council MUST NOT these plans their permission to go ahead. The alternatives that will cause far less negative impact on the park MUST be investigated and preferably implemented.'
Peter Adamson Abertyleri, 'Stop the commercial development of Bute Park. It should remain a peaceful haven.'
Susan Smith Cardiff, 'Building a road through Bute park would be appalling, it would destroy the quiet, peacefulness and beauty of one of the lovliest city centre parks in Europe'
Mark Suret Cardiff, 'I'm writing to ask you (or whoever is in charge of the project) to think again about plunging a major new vehicle access into Cardiff's green and pleasant parklands i.e. the bridge and roadway entering Bute Park off North Road at the end of Corbett Road and new carriageway and substantial road improvement within the Park. A number of mature trees and a large area of vegetation have already been cleared, even though the application has not yet been agreed by Planning Committee. It is justified as allowing articulated lorries easy access to areas of the park for commercial events and to permit large articulated lorries to deliver plants from Holland (and presumably equipment for Sky TV for use in broadcasts from the SWALEC stadium). Please understand how deep and wide the opposition to this commercialisation of precious parklands goes. Not only do these moves threaten the award winning arboretum and its champion trees, about which the council makes supportive statements from time to time. But people from across Cardiff and beyond love this space of relatively free land with its beautiful scope, and its trees. Its extent, and its relative safety from traffic, for children, the disabled, and all those wanting to walk, play, relax and cycle within it, are part of its enormous value. In terms of joined up politics it also makes a key contribution to the health and well-being of Cardiff people, as well as of those visiting Cardiff partly in order to enjoy unspoiled and extensive parks. All parties on Council pay lip service to green issues and conservation. Let's have an inspiring example of opposition to this environmentally destructive move.'
Sarah Hayton Cardiff, 'As a resident of Cardiff a user of Bute park and a cyclist I and very concerned about the new proposed plans. The reasons for such a vast change to the park and inevitable destruction to some areas, do not seem justified. Ease of access to council vehicles does not seem a good enough reason to risk the safety of cyclists and to so drastically effect the experience of an area of Cardiff which should be teasured not spoilt. I find it depressing that Cardiff Council should again be so glib as to make this proposal when they should instead be preserving a park which many other cities would be proud to have and to celebrate. I suspect that the road is planned primarily to facilitate the summer concerts and weekend events held in the summer months. These must bring in a lot of revenue to the council it seems that the council values the park as a money making venue rather than a space that has an intrinsic value of it's own that should be respected.'
Paul Charles Cardiff, 'As a regular user of the park, running & cycling I think it is disgraceful that could even think of this destruction!!!!'
Patricia McKenna Cardiff, 'The flora and fauna of the Park is threatened by these inroads. We should not be destroying parts of the park in order to welcome articulated lorries delivering Dutch (?) flowers for the nursery. The park is not a cultivated manicured theme park but a tranquil oasis with natural habitats that we should protect.'
Natalia Lawrence Cardiff, 'Please do not ruin the jewel in Cardiff's crown - keep Bute park cyclist-friendly, peaceful and green. Surely in this era of eco-awareness our local government should be doing everything possible to protect and retain green spaces and promote cycling? Building lorry access into the park that cuts across a cycle lane is most definitely not helping with this!'
Nigel Watt Cardiff, 'The design needs to be changed, so that lorries waiting to turn into North Road will not impede cyclists using the cycle path which runs alongside North Road's western boundary.'
Ceri-Anne Davies Cardiff, 'I am appalled that the council could even consider doing anything to such a beautiful park,not only do myself and my children do races (running )in the park but i have taken my children there often for picnics,its such a tranquil place to spend time in and forget all the stresses of life'
Tamsyn Mackay Penarth, 'Keep the green spaces in Cardiff!'
C.J. Morris Roath, Cardiff, 'The memorial park should be just that - a place of peace, memories and quiet reflection, not a throughfare for lorries or any vehicle other than bicycles'
Steve Owen cardiff, 'Once again Cardiff council has a hidden agenda,it's our jewel in the crown not their pot of gold'
Julia Charles Cardiff, 'Hand off OUR park'
Richard Self Cardiff, 'The park is a unique part of our childrens heritage. There can be no creep of tarmac over this green space.'
Anne Bate Cardiff, 'It is disgusting that the council is trying to get this proposal in via the back door! The public should have been informed. How can they justify felling our heritage for convenience and it must be said, monetary gain!!!'
Rachel Matthews Caerphilly, 'It is disgusting that the council are proposing to build a road through Bute Park. I believe that something is going seriously wrong with our priorities in this world and these proposals are yet another example of this. Yet again it seems that short-sightedness, monetary gain and downright lazy expediency is taking precedence over anything that is of long-term, intrinsic value in life. It is truly wrong and unnecessary to build a road through what is currently a place of outstanding beauty, peacefulness, clean air and an essential escape for relaxation in a busy, already over-polluted environment. To be able to escape from the city into such a peaceful place is essential for us all physically and mentally - what would happen if we let all our green spaces get eaten up over time and never halted the process - how could we explain to our children what they have lost due to such laziness, short-term greed and quick-fixes? Please THINK AGAIN and DONT build any roads in Bute Park.'
Pat Gregory Cardiff, 'The site of the proposed entrance and bridge for lorries to transport goods into the park is currently one of the most beautiful and tranquil areas of the park, with mature trees, a canal walk and grassland with decorative trees, and daffodils in the spring. At that point the park is effectively at its narrowest, due to the walled nursery area. If this road access goes ahead it will effectively cut the park in two, as on the other side of the nursery there are only a few metres between the nursery and the river.'
Joek Roex Cardiff, 'There are other ways in which Bute Park can stay animal, plant, and human friendly than through continuing commercial development. Cardiff should be proud of a park like Bute Park with its innumerable and invaluable champion trees. The extensive use by pedestrians and cyclists show that a continued conservation effort would pay off in keeping the park accessible and safe.
Mark Palser CARDIFF, 'Save our parks - Bute Park is an oasis of calm - I am fully against these proposals!!'
Hilary Hillhouse Kingston, 'It would be a tragedy to put a road through Bute Park.'
David McDonald Cardiff, 'They only withdrew the plans becuase of the election. Leave our parks alone.'
Peter Regan Cardiff, 'I object to any building or upgrading in Bute Park.'
Planning Policy Wales
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR
Woodwatch Welsh Planning System Planning Policy Wales (PPW) - guidance on the preparation and content of development plans and advice on development control decisions and appeals - provides overarching principles of planning in the country. The policies provided in the guidance should be reflected in local development plans.
It also states: 'local planning authorities should seek to protect trees, groups of trees and areas of woodland where they have natural heritage value or contribute to the character or amenity of a particular locality.' (PPW para. 5.2.8).
In addition to Planning Policy Wales, there is a Technical Guidance Note, TAN 5, which gives local authorities further guidance on Nature Conservation and Planning and is available from the Welsh Assembly.
‘Too many events which cause too much litter and noise. Too many fast food outlets when events are on.’
An assessment of the use of Cooper’s Fields....This has a detrimental effect upon the park in the long term, because the wear and tear on the infrastructure caused by frequent heavy use from events has to be met from within existing resources, even if reinstatement costs are provided....
Full Documents for Parks and Green Spaces Strategy
Please find below the full documents for the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy:
On the 20 August 2007 the National Heritage Lottery wrote to the Council confirming that:-“the Heritage Lottery Fund view the position of a new bridge over the docks feeder to provide access into the park from North Road as an essential element of the Bute Park Restoration Project.. 2008. The new bridge, if built if completed this financial year, would greatly support future major events in the Park, the first of these being the RHS Show 2008 and the National Eisteddfod RECOMMENDATIONS The Executive is requested to recommend to Council that the provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian access bridge off North Road at a cost of £1.40 million be included in the revised 2007/08 capital programme of the Council.
Making a complaint Heritage Lottery Fund All Lottery Distributors follow the same procedure for the handling of complaints. This new process is explained in our ‘Making a Complaint' leaflet. To download the leaflet click on the following links: English 95 KB | Welsh 100 KB email enquire@hlf.org.uk
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has been granted planning permission for its £22.5 million development to build a new concert hall, theatre, drama rehearsal spaces and exhibition gallery to complement and enhance its existing high-quality performance facilities.
e also been mounting for some time that once vehicles enter the park, the close proximity of pedestrians could result in accidents. However, the council's proposals have not prevented campaigners from the Green Party objecting to the cutting down of 10 trees in order to provide space for the bridge.
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