Was CADW misled over bridge design?

I sent a FOI request to CADW to ask them to look at the new bridge and to ask if they will admit they were misled when they were told the bridge would be scaled down and that CADWs view that “The design of the bridge and raised carriageway using a parapet of timber posts and top rail, together with high tension steel cables is sympathetic, in Cadw’s view, to the woodland setting and should help to reduce their visual impact.”  was mistaken
- now they can SEE that the new bridge is a huge industrial-type, motorway- style bridge that towers over the existing footpath and is totally out of character with the park

Heritage Lottery fund deceit

 I have written to the HLF yet again and made a freedom of information request  through the What do they know website  website to request the document they used to jusify insisting on a BRIDGE and road for articulated lorries through listed Bute Park!

Dear Heritage Lottery Fund,

I wrote to you on the 11 DEC 2009 and I am requesting the information yet again through this site to try to get the document requested and answers to my questions detailed below.

Following my FOI request you replied to me in Sept and told me
"the overall proposal for the Park which includes the elements which HLF is funding, was supported by  a detailed conservation based study and analysis."

It does not seem unreasonable to request that report. I have been waiting since Sept for a copy! I can assure you that I have not received a copy from Cardiff Council and as HLF has the report, please send me a copy. I am intitled to request this under the freedom of information act and therefore you are obliged to provide a copy. 

Re your Point 3- "The HLF is funding the upgrading of the paths, and 'turning bays', in Bute Park : this needs to be seen in the context of the agreed work plan for the conservation of the historic park."
Please can you explain this to me?

Please also provide the dimensions and plans for the 'path' for artic lorries that HLF (you) are funding through listed Bute Park from the Bridge? 

Which trees in listed Bute Park will be 'topped' or pruned back or lopped in any way along the route of the 'path' to make space/way for articulated lorries?

The new bridge you insisted must be built is a huge industrial-type, motorway- style bridge. It towers over the existing footpath and is totally out of character with the park as will your massive 'paths' and articulated lorry turning circle.

How can you justify this  road building in the park to the people of Cardiff  in the name of conservation of our heritage? Please, at least let us see the detailed conservation based study and analysis you based your decision on as requested above.

Yours faithfully,

Bute Park damage in the NEWS

Playing fields still out of action after Eisteddfod
WalesOnline - Cardiff,UK
A large area of Pontcanna Fields near Bute Park is still fenced off with a large area covered in mud and standing water, nearly 18 months after the festival ...
A bridge too far? « Welsh Green Dragon
By tanyamercer
A variety of rare and ornamental trees have been planted to form the Bute Park Arboretum. Forty eight of these trees now have Champion Tree status – for being the biggest or best example of their species in the UK. ...
Welsh Green Dragon - http://welshgreendragon.wordpress.com/

Community battles council to keep Cardiff green ...
By bethan john
Stretching out behind Cardiff castle is the historic Grade 1 listed Bute Park. It's just been voted the best park in Wales, in Britain's Best Park competition. Yet it's not just a beautiful and tranquil haven, but is also host to some ...
Bethanjohnwriter's Blog - http://bethanjohnwriter.wordpress.com/

Will we always have our park?

Will we always have our park?

letter in Echo today..

THE more I hear from Cardiff council, the more I’m inclined to sympathise with the Bute Park campaigners.

Councillor Howells accuses them of “inaccuracies” but he claims that only one holly tree will be removed to make way for the bridge. But what about all the trees removed from the embankment joining the park to the very busy North Road?

He says these were all dead or dying and have been independently surveyed. But will they be replaced?

This area used to be quiet and isolated from the road but now all that can be experienced is the roar of traffic and the scent of exhaust fumes.

He goes on to criticise Nerys Lloyd-Pierce for describing the new bridge as “motorway style”, but nowhere does he refute this.

I often walk through this part of the park and I have seen the new bridge in construction and it is a huge industrial-type, motorway- style bridge. It towers over the existing footpath and is totally out of character with the park.

Coun Howells’ only justification for this bridge is “health and safety” but the bridge is only moving vehicles from one part of the park to another. The only true way to enhance safety is to ban heavy good vehicles from the park and to move the nursery and plant distribution centre to a brownfield site outside of the city centre.

And finally, I agree it is not a question whether Bute Park can win this award three years in a row but whether, in 30 years’ time, we will still have a park at all.

PA Martin

RiversideCardiff

Note 2 Sept 2009 the Echo reported that..Coun Margaret Jones also jetted off to Stockholm for the Globe Forum Awards as a guest of the organisers to receive an award for Cardiff as a sustainable city from Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
“It proves we are helping to lead the way in sustainability, not just in Europe, but right across the globe. We now look forward to continuing that success in the years to come,” said Coun Jones at the time.

You couldn't make it up!

WalesOnline - News - Letters - South Wales Echo Letters - Friday ...

13 Nov 2009 ... IN a recent Echo report, Councillor Howells stated that 21 trees in Bute Park were to be felled because of disease (“We must kill trees to ...

Note Cllr Howells Fib Dem

Coun Howells also made the second most frequent declarations of hospitality so far in 2009, declaring events including hospitality at the Bafta Cymru awards, Six Nations rugby clashes, a Cardiff Devils dinner and other engagements.
Councillor Nigel Howells, who is responsible for sport, parks and culture, travelled to the German city of Leipzig to see the city’s white-water rafting and canoe course.

Rodney Berman, talking about climate change in the city

Next Monday 16th Nov 7pm Rodney Berman is
"Among the speakers at the hearing at Cardiff City Hall on 16 November will be council leader Rodney Berman, talking about climate change in the city."
Should be interesting from the concrete eco crim who parks at the city hall door.
Conretes over Bute park, Rumney Rec, 100 acres green field for Junction 32 Business Park, sells school playing fields for building etc, wants a big burner, incinerator. Probably tell us he has changed his light bulbs. Lib Dem Jenny Wilmott MP says co mingled waste is better...haven't a clue!

Cardiff: 16 Nov, 7pm – Ferrier Hall, Cardiff City Hall
Speakers include: Charles Abani, Oxfam Regional Director for Southern Africa

Oxfam Climate Hearings claim to

.. bring the voices of those most affected by climate change direct to decision makers around the world at local, national, regional and international levels. From Aberystwyth to Zambia, Oxfam is organising events which will take testimony from people and turn their experiences into effective pressure.

From local villages to large-scale moments, the hearings will provide a platform for the people who are most vulnerable to climate change to place their experiences directly before those who can do something about it.

We are inviting people along to these public meetings where speakers will be giving their account of the impacts of climate change from their perspective. We are aiming to present both local and global stories, which we will record to put pressure on decision-makers at all levels of government – and at the crucial UN climate talks to be held in Copenhagen in December.

For more information please visit-
http://climatehearings.org/
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/climate_change/

http://local.stopclimatechaos.org/2009/cardiff-oxfam-climate-hearing
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8353391.stm

Plaid split on concreting over Rumney Rec!

With elections looming even Plaid Cymru Cllr Concrete McEvoys own party are disowning his actions and the enormous environmental damage he is inflicting on Cardiff and his complete disregard for citizens views. Cllr Conrete McEvoy being shocked at Franks differing views shows his complete lack of understanding of green issues. Cardiff Plaid Cymru Cllrs have supported and campaigned with the Lib Dems FOR Building on GREEN SPACE in Cardiff, such as Rumney Recreation Ground, School playing fields, Junction 33 Business Park (called in by WAG), Building a massive bridge and road into listed BUTE PARK, chopping down loads of park TREES for articulated lorries and ignoring a petition of 5,000 and endless demonstrations! See the latest pictures of the BUTE PARK destruction here http://no2lorriesinbutepark.blogspot.com/ Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems have failed to listen to the people of Cardiff. The only party you can trust with Cardiff Green Space is the Green Party. Vote for a change next time Plaid ‘is at odds’ over school plan Nov 9 2009 by David James, South Wales Echo ONE half of Cardiff council’s ruling coalition executive is coming under pressure from several levels of their party over the controversial decision to build a new school on parkland. Plaid’s executive members on the Liberal Democrat/Plaid executive have been criticised by both local party workers and a regional Assembly Member over their backing for the plans in East Cardiff. Party workers in Llanrumney have put out leaflets pledging to campaign against the plan to close Rumney and Llanrumney High Schools and build a new secondary school on Rumney Recreation Ground. The activists are also campaigning in favour of a legal bid promoted by the Labour Party to thwart the plans by having the land designated as a village green. And in the latest blow to party unity, Plaid’s South Wales Central AM Chris Franks has written to Labour Education Minister Jane Hutt urging her to throw the council’s plans out. In a letter to Ms Hutt, Mr Franks highlighted the environmental, traffic and social arguments against the plans and the 94% vote in a local referendum against the plans. He said: “In view of the substantial and widespread opposition to the proposals, I would ask you to reject these particular proposals and ask Cardiff council to reconsider the future of secondary schools in Llanrumney and Rumney. “I would like to further discuss this issue with you to highlight residents’ objections.” Plaid’s group leader in Cardiff, Neil McEvoy, last night issued a group statement saying the council group was “shocked” by Mr Franks’ intervention. He said that this was the first time the group had heard from Mr Franks. He said: “Given that the Llanrumney deal has unanimous group support and was part negotiated by Plaid’s chief executive Gwenllian Lansdown, we feel that Chris has shown remarkably poor judgement by going public on this issue. “All parties have disagreements, but there is a process for this. There are issues on which we disagree with the Assembly coalition on, but up until now, we have been disciplined enough not to make public comment. The party matter will be dealt with internally as is proper and correct.” Jane Hutt is expected to release her decision on the proposals for Rumney and Llanrumney next month. !

New pics Cardiff Council Destruction Bute Park

Heritage Lottery Fund demanded this bridge as a condition of funding the 'restoration' of the park!

Not a very "rustic" looking BIG ROAD as we were told at planning and that CADW would agree because it was supposed to be scaled down???!
The New Road demanded by the heritage lottery fund! Onwards and concreting over this beautiful area of this LISTED PARK!

Heritage Lottery fund deceit

To Jennifer Stuart of the Heritage lottery fund

Three questions for you
1. I am still waiting for the "detailed conservation based study and analysis" that you were going to find for me in September. I am still waiting for it. Please send it asp.

You said that the

the overall proposal for the Park which includes
the elements which HLF is funding, was supported by a
detailed conservation based study and analysis which I would love to see and would ask you to send me a copy of that as soon as possible.


2. On your website you state that you are not funding the bridge.However, 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 ProjectExecut_E_07_09_11_A_rep_R-2.pdf. Therefore you are deliberately misleading the public by stating
you are not funding the bridge but you are insisting it will be built. Please will you change this as what you are saying is not the truth! More details below. ***

HLF pagehttp://search.hlf.org.uk/English/GrantsDatabase/grantsproject?applicationID=24617

3. What exactly are you funding? Are you funding the NEW PATH/roadways and turning circle? The chopping down of trees?

***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
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.

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.
Consequences
22. The provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian access bridge will satisfy the requirements of the HLF and enable the full grant to be considered as
part of the Stage 2 Bid and if successful awarded in the spring of 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 2008.

Bute Park trees for the chop

Councillor Chain Saw Nigel Howells said the felling of 21 trees marks is part of the multi-million-pound Bute Park Restoration Project! Oh yeah! Such utter rubbish. Remember the tree felling of a so called 'diseased' tree just happened to be where they were building the bridge and was the excuse for having started work before planning permission. Cardiff Green spaces are not safe in the hands of this Fib dem/Plaid lies Council whose total disregard for our trees and the people of cardiff opinions is shameful. Why is there not a cheep from CADW?

Bute Park trees cut Nov 05 2009

DEAD and dying trees in the city’s Bute Park are set to be cut down as part of a controversial council project.Read

Nov 5 2009 by Abby Alford, South Wales Echo

DEAD and dying trees in the city’s Bute Park are set to be cut down as part of a controversial council project. Authority bosses have stressed the work is essential for safety reasons?

Professor Kevin Morgan, chairman of the organisation fighting to preserve Cardiff’s parks, said he is sceptical about any claim by the council that it is acting in the spirit of conservation.

“When it comes to managing green spaces, Cardiff council will need to earn the trust of the public, a resource it has recklessly squandered by its treatment of Bute Park in particular,” he said.

“If officers and councillors want to see what truly green cities are doing with their parks, they should consult the city of Nantes in France, which happens to be one of the cities with which Cardiff is twinned.

“Until it emulates the likes of Nantes, the people of Cardiff will judge the council by its deeds not its words.”

Campaigners fight on for Cardiff’s parks

Nov 4 2009 by Emily Woodrow, South Wales Echo

great article says it all..the fight goes on!

The Bute Parks Alliance used a meeting in Rhiwbina to raise opposition to the work the council is carrying out to build a £1.4m lorry bridge into the parklands and expand the roadways.CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect Cardiff’s much-loved Grade I-listed central parklands last night tried to rally support across the city.

Professor Kevin Morgan, who chairs the organisation, told the meeting in the Bethany Baptist Church the campaigners would not give up.

He said: “Our parks are wonderful, but they have one fatal flaw – they have no voice. Consequently, they are open to abuse from successive councils who see the citizens’ parkland as cheap land for development. Our aim is to keep the plight of our green space in the public eye – permanently.”

Cardiff council is already carrying out work to prepare the way for the bridge and the widening and raising of the paths in the park.

Prof Morgan said: “It was in 1920 that the process of development and erosion began in Cardiff’s green spaces, but it is in the last 10 years that the pace has really changed.

“The thing which galvanised most of us into action was the council’s decisions about Bute Park. More than a third of our central parkland has been lost to development already.

“It’s a case of death by a thousand cuts – a huge and ugly new bridge, raised on concrete pillars, is being constructed in Bute Park, disfiguring what was once a beautiful woodland belt, and Cardiff council has further controversial plans for a turning circle, road enlargement and commercialisation of the nursery.

“Furthermore, the vast WJEC building at the northern end of Llandaff Fields dominates that section of parkland, marring the view of Llandaff Cathedral – and is yet another example of inappropriate development.”

The meeting, which was held by independent councillors Jayne Cowan, Adrian Robson and Brian Jones, also addressed another motion – to protect Cardiff’s green spaces.

Councillor Robson said the reason for holding it was because parks and green spaces in Cardiff were under threat from developments and changes and they wanted to protect them.

Coun Cowan added: “There’s a groundswell of public concern about the loss of open spaces throughout the city and the meeting gave us an important opportunity to listen to views and discuss the way forward.”

A vote was held on how to protect the city’s open spaces, asking people to agree or disagree on the following statements:

Bute Park should remain for the enjoyment of the people and no further building or development (with the exception of emergency safety work) should be undertaken.

All green spaces in Rhiwbina need to be protected from development.

Both proposals received 100% support for protection.

One member of the public added: “Every incursion is something which can’t be taken back. It will affect our children and grandchildren and will never ever be reversed.”

Greenwash and lies from Neil McEvoy Plaid Cymru

This is the GREEN CARDIFF Neil Mcevoy and Plaid Cymru are responsible for ..

what he did to Bute park and continues to do for ARTICULATED Lorries

for mindblowing hypocrisy...Cardiff Green spaces are not safe with Plaid Cymru or Fib Dems

latest Plaid lies & hypocrisy in the form of a propaganda leaflet.

And we already have project GREEN

..ummm...Plaid and Fib Dems scheme to build an INCINERATOR for all South Wales Rubbish!!

Mad Hatters Tea Party

Mad hatters tea party for Bute Park

Bute parks alliance invites you to join them for a MAD HATTER”S TEA PARTY if you care about Bute Park and the citys green spaces!!

Outside City Hall

3.30, September 24

Wear something bright and colourful, bring a hat and umbrella, and a whistle, drum, cymbals....

Get the council to wake up to the fact that Cardiff’s green space is too precious to trash with development.

What’s happening to the city’s green spaces is a microcosm of what’s happening to the planet – and the madness has to stop.


MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD – BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

STOP CLIMATE CRIME

WAG new advice protecting natural Welsh heritage

I hope they sent a copy to Cardiff council who did no environmental impact assessment of their Lorry Road on listed Bute Park!

Welsh conservation advice

The Welsh Assembly Government has published new planning guidance on how local planning authorities can allow for continued development while protecting the natural heritage of Wales.

Technical Advice Notice 5 (TAN 5) gives revised guidance on the conservation of internationally and nationally designated sites and habitats. It also addresses the conservation of protected species.

Read the Welsh Assembly Government press release

Download the TAN 5 revised guidance

Occupation stops work on Bute Park Bridge

A group of us from BPA gathered this morning to protest at the destruction of Bute Park by Cardiff Council.

We enjoyed a hearty breakfast as the protest got under way before the workers arrived on site!

This was just a short protest...no one chained themselves or lay in the path of the diggers yet or climbed the trees.

Not yet...!!!

Just see the park beyond that is soon going to be totally destroyed...for articulated lorries..

Watch the slide show!

We are accused of spreading “misinformation”

WalesOnline - News - Cardiff News - Bute Park protesters in ...

20 Aug 2009 ... CAMPAIGNERS against the building of a road into Bute Park have been... Bute Park protesters in ‘misinformation’ fury Aug 20 2009 by Martin Shipton, South Wales Echo Add a comment Recommend CAMPAIGNERS against the building of a road into Bute Park have been accused of spreading “misinformation” in leaked emails written by council members to the judges of a top environmental award. Last month, the city centre park retained its Green Flag despite the furore over the building of a bridge and access road into the park. Correspondence disclosed to campaigner Anne Greagsby under the Freedom of Information Act shows that when an unidentified judge expressed concern about the possibility of a demonstration by members of the Bute Parks Alliance pressure group during their visit, an unnamed Cardiff Council officer accused the group of putting out “misinformation”. The correspondence also shows that the council entertained the judges to lunch at Cardiff Castle. Professor Kevin Morgan, chair of the campaign group Bute Parks Alliance said: “The nature of this correspondence clearly illustrates the deeply flawed nature of the Green Flag judging process. “The public believes that an award of this kind is given independently – but the interaction between the judges and Cardiff Council reveals that this is definitely not the case. “Furthermore, the judges did not even bother to find out why there is so much public opposition to the council’s development plans for Bute Park. “Work is now under way on the new lorry access bridge, creating a huge scar in what was once a lush and green woodland belt. “If the proposed 20 foot-wide road into Cooper’s Field, lorry turning circle, and nursery development are carried out, a significant area of the park will be unrecognisable. “But how much of this was revealed to the judges? And how many probing questions did they ask? “Both the council and the judges lack moral integrity in their attitude to the Green Flag, rendering it meaningless.” Paul Todd, manager of the Green Flag Award Scheme, which is run by a partnership that includes Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace, said: “Our judges are trained to a very high standard to assess sites and decide whether they merit an award or not. “In this case they were made aware of the concerns that had been expressed about Bute Park by members of the public. When making their decision, they took all factors into consideration and made a judgment.”

Dodgy Bute Park Judges.

Suspiciously chummy correspondence between council and judges. If that’s

independent judging, I’m a banana!

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/green_flag_award_meetings_and_co#incoming-40045 What do you think of this? I cannot understand this. Why judges for a park award should be kept secret? Cover up so there must be something to hide ? And accusing protester's of misinformation is appalling, the judges should have arranged to meet them and not excepted that as true. Judges told ...Protesters "refused to listen to what we have told them"! And the judges asking for advice...!!! One of the judges says "having a wobble about whether of not to enter the fray! I would be grateful if you could give me a bit of a steer about how delicate the situation is or not.. as i don't want to get embroiled in a political muddle. Is this a big issue for you and your team? I like a challenge but would appreciate a heads up so I can make a more informed decision about whether to come to Bute or not. Are we likely to be lobbied on the day? A girl needs to know. Any help or advice advice you can offer will be much appreciated." so the judges are Wined and dined by the parks department and come up with goods.. Cardiff council GAG Note they Cardiff council are telling me we have to keep qiuiet about this and talk of copywright which is beyond my comprehensions. Freedom of information respsonse.. My Ref: MAT(P)/SD/2059/CLP0012 G00158 14 August, 2009 Anne Greagsby [FOI #16595 email] My Ref: MAT(P)/SD/2059/CLP0012 G00158 14 August, 2009 Anne Greagsby [FOI #16595 email] Dear Ms Greagsby ELECTORAL DIVISION: CATHAYS GREEN FLAG JUDGING OF BUTE PARK Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 about correspondence relating to the Green Flag judging of Bute Park in 2009 received on 7th August 2009. We have considered your request and enclose the following information: Various emails between Council officers and the judging team, and the itinerary for the judging visit. Most of the documents that we provide in response to Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Cardiff Council. The copyright in some documents may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the documents themselves. You are free to use any documents supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The documents may also be used for news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the documents or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner. Details of the arrangements for reusing the material owned by Cardiff Council can be found on our website at or by contacting the Information Manager, Room 111, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW (Phone 029 2087 3346). For documents where the copyright is not owned by Cardiff Council, you would need to apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission for re-use. We supply this information based on your original request. If this information does not answer your enquiry or if you feel we have not fully understood your request, please contact me to clarify your exact requirements. If you have any queries or concerns or are in any way dissatisfied with the handling of your request please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Jon Maidment Operational Manager Parks show quoted sections Dear Ms Greagsby ELECTORAL DIVISION: CATHAYS GREEN FLAG JUDGING OF BUTE PARK Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 about correspondence relating to the Green Flag judging of Bute Park in 2009 received on 7th August 2009. We have considered your request and enclose the following information: Various emails between Council officers and the judging team, and the itinerary for the judging visit. Most of the documents that we provide in response to Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Cardiff Council. The copyright in some documents may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated on the documents themselves. You are free to use any documents supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The documents may also be used for news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example by publishing the documents or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner. Details of the arrangements for reusing the material owned by Cardiff Council can be found on our website at or by contacting the Information Manager, Room 111, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW (Phone 029 2087 3346). For documents where the copyright is not owned by Cardiff Council, you would need to apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission for re-use. We supply this information based on your original request. If this information does not answer your enquiry or if you feel we have not fully understood your request, please contact me to clarify your exact requirements. If you have any queries or concerns or are in any way dissatisfied with the handling of your request please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Jon Maidment Operational Manager Parks show quoted sections

Blind leading the blind!

Blind group welcomes new access plans for Bute Park
WalesOnline
A SUPPORT group for the blind has spoken out to welcome Cardiff council's plans to build new road access into Bute Park. The Cardiff Institute for the Blind ...

Which is safer ..a park with articulated lorries or a park withput articulated lorries ..think again!!

It would be useful if this group spoke to us about the plans. I would like to know what misleading information they have been given. The 'road' will be safer for some people who are trying to access the castle but it is NOT safe per se to have articulated lorries in the park nor environmentally sound. A raised road and turning circle up to half a metre high in some places with one in 5 slope as Pat Thompson (project manager) told me is far from safe.
The less people the greater the temptation for the lorries to speed.

Lindsay Cuddy HLF conflict of interest?

Lindsay Cuddy leads the Conservation Team within the Strategic Planning Division at Cardiff County Council. The team prepares policy and guidance on the historic built environment and works with others to ensure its protection and enhancement in development or restoration work.

Did Lindsey Cuddy who is on the Heritage Lottery - HLF committee for wales sept 2008

ever report all the objections received by Cardiff council who employ her to the HLF as requested.

HLF Members were asked to let Martin Buckridge know of they received objections to The Bridge or lodge at Bute Park.

Did Cllrs know of Lindsay Cuddys role in the HLF?

I keep getting asked about the HLF role in all this and I am afraid that it is a key culprit in the building of the massive bridge!

HLF letter to me

"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" Jennifer Stewart Heritage lottery fund

HLF & cardiff Council Execut_E_07_09_11_A_rep_R-2.pdf

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 construct

the new vehicular access into Bute Park and the offer excluded a contribution 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 firmcommitment 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 007 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.