Fib Dem Howells forced to halt bridge work...

Public pressure forced them Cllr Berman and Cllr Howells Fin Dems and Neil McEvoy of Plaid Lies to pull back from their plans to start on the bridge.
After bringing in heavy equipment and saying the start was imminent, the council contractors have been sent back to wait for nesting birds.
Why do we have so much trouble getting Cardiff council to stick to the rules.

The Planning department received a request to clear vegetation on the site on the 23th June and a report by the Council’s ecologist was received on the 24th.

In summary the ecologists confirmed the presence of nesting birds within the site and the planning department have advised the applicant (note the applicant here is Cardiff Council itself) that they do not consider it appropriate to allow the clearance of vegetation at this time.

I have put a copy of the report / correspondence on the planning application file [07-2649-C] which is available at the Planning reception desk in City Hall.

Kind Regards.

Richard Cole

Senior Planning Officer

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

Dear Rodney..NO EIA on urban development of a sensitive area

To FIB DEM Cllr R Berman leader of Cardiff council

My dear Rodney

Perhaps you would like to answer some straight forward key questions for a change.

Re Bute Park £1.4 bridge and road for lorries ...

Why is there NO EIA on urban development of a sensitive area, nor a full sustainability assessment as in the Parks Strategy.

Why was Nigel Howellls permitted to intervene at the planning Cttee meeting?..

This intervention was contrary to your code of conduct with his conflicting interest!

looking forward to a swift reply

I shall be also writing to the Local government ombudsman to complain.

DUMMIES GUIDE TO GREEN POLICY
for Cllrs Berman, Howells, and McEvoy

No articulated lorries in a LISTED PARK!

Dump the plastic bottles

Ban the use of water bottles in all municial buildings. Would be a a start and hopefully it will catch on to the rest of the country. Water bottles are really such a waste especially when you consider most of us have access to clean, fresh amazing tap water here in WALES.

Just buy an aluminum water bottle and re-use that throughout the day!

Fib Dem R Berman attacks green granny!

Dear Rodney

I am surprised that you feel it necessary to attack me.

Any council with modern and accurate awareness about carbon footprints would immediately see the need to reduce the number of huge articulated lorries INTO the city centre and a listed park!

A dummys guide to carbon reduction would tell you that road-building leads to large increases in traffic levels, locking us in to a carbon-intensive pattern of development and behavioural change is vital! And it would inform you that the solution is to move the nursery and take lorries out of the park and the city centre! Moving the problem and destroying the park in the process for £1.4 is not a solution!

The key challenge for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transport in Wales is to reduce inappropriate and unnecessary car use and of course lorry use. Traffic in Cardiff is forecast to grow by 7% - 10% over the next 5 years. This is higher than the average for Great Britain. In Cardiff, air and car travel account for 95% of the City’s ecological impact and the average resident travels over 15 miles a day by car and cllr? (1) Nothing short of a huge change in how we travel is needed to halt current trends. It might therefore occur to you that using the front of the city Hall for Clllrs to have FREE parking is old fashioned, outdated practice yet you feel it is necessary to limit the citizens right to protest to facilitate parking for Cllrs – this is the equivalent of instigating parking outside Buckingham Palace! Cllrs should set a good example of behavioural change! And you talk of reducing your carbon footprint whilst sipping water from your plastic bottle of water? What is the carbon footprint of that and what is wrong with welsh water from the tap and how much does it cost?

Equality impact assessment

I asked you and FIB DEMS Cardiff what disability equality impact assessment had been conducted in making the decision to build this bridge and road, as required under the DDA 2005.?

Please may we see a copy of the report on the disability impact assessment?

Will yopur consyultation with disabled people be lawful if the information about the design of the bridge and road are not accurate and are found to be downright misleading and wrong . I suggest a meeting with Cllr Berman, McEvoy and Howells with the disabled access group and myself and others to discuss the true dimensions and gradients of the bridge and road you propose to build. I know what I am talking about as I worked for the DRC as a policy officer. As a disabled person myself and the mother of a disabled boy who has epilepsy and is filled with horror at the prospect of sharing a road with articulated lorries.

The council has repeatedly neglected to inform the public that the access bridge is almost 30ft wide, What’s more, the bridge will be practically 200ft long from the point it enters the park on North Road to where it finishes.

“It may even be longer because of the gradient – one in six. With such a gradient the 40-ton lorries using it will not be able to do so safely, so it seems likely that the bridge will have to be extended at a less fierce gradient – which will involve eating up yet more green space.

A gradient of 1:12 is desirable where possible.

Lies and misinformation to the public

I have e-mails to Cllr Jon Aylwin over the early tree- felling, to which he and the Council never replied, which indicates unlawful planning behaviour.

Questions and lies

How exactly does Cllr Berman imagine an access bridge for articulated lorries that’s almost 30 feet wide, and raised on concrete pillars, and paths doubled in width for long sections to accommodate these giants, can possibly be disabled friendly or “enhance” a Grade I-listed park.

Coun Howells lies at the exhibition relating to council plans for Bute Park

The artist’s image of the proposed access bridge was misleading to say the least, and the council officer present was forced to admit that the image was “ephemeral”, and that in reality the bridge would be larger, higher and more visible.

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 Executive continue to repeat more spurious claims about public support for the proposals. Below I quote two independent and authoritative sources:

December 2007: CADW wrote, ‘This area of the park is at present tranquil woodland and lawn dotted with specimen trees. The dock feeder canal runs quietly through it, flanked by an unsurfaced path and wider tarmacked path/roadway. There are no modern intrusions and the nursery enclosure to the west is well screened from the area…. The introduction of a wide modern road and bridge into this unspoilt area would in our view be unsympathetic and highly visible.’

February 2008: Chief Strategic Planning and Environment officer Sean Hannaby wrote to Tom Morgan, the Council Corporate Director, ‘I have a copy of the Committee report that is due to go out tomorrow, recommending refusal for the bridge. I have considered the matter carefully and am satisfied that I have no credible alternative…. We have a legal duty to protect or enhance the character of the park and cannot use highway issues as a reason to set that aside.’

However the Council has already begun preparatory work on North Road in spite of the Council’s own planning condition insisting that no ground clearance or tree cutting should begin during the bird nesting season running till July 31st.

The last 70 years have seen massive incremental damage to the four parks. You can download here the BPA leaflet given to every councillor on Thursday. It shows the degree destruction and privatisation that has been allowed in that time and which has escalated over the last few years.

Acting on behalf of the scheme’s opponents, environmental lawyer Richard Buxton has written to the council warning it not to start work before the end of July.

One of the planning conditions for the scheme says work should not proceed during the nesting season, which lasts until July 31.

Cardiff council is disregarding its own planning conditions by starting work on the site. The noise and disruption caused by the contractors in their compound adjacent to the park will inevitably cause distress to nesting birds.

Unlawful felling prior to planning

The Conservation Area officer was not notified (as required even for urgent work) nor consulted on all the trees (>75mm width at 1m height) to be felled.

The inspection and felling recommendation was last Sept., then the

beech tree was inspected for bats in case CCW needed notifying.

All the trees on a 16 metre stretch of the boundary and their stumps were removed - a huge impact on the Conservation Area as well as the Park - one huge stump 500mm across is still visible evidence.

Was the Bridge decision at planning lawful?

In fact there may be grounds to challenge the planning permission on the basis of corruption with decision-making in planning being a quasi-legal process?

The Executive Member responsible for the Bute Park scheme intervened in a major way during the planning committee hearing. Cllr Nigel Howells spoke from the position of ward councillor (“if Jayne Cowan can speak, so can I”), but spoke as Executive Member sponsoring the project without declaring his interest. He spoke fluently and at length on the genesis of the project and ambitions for it, and that the decision on a new access opposite Corbett Road had been made by the Council in 2007.

The protocol for receiving oral observations and representations from councillors says observations or representations must be confined to addressing material planning considerations. The Committee Chair did not stop Cllr Howells breaching this requirement.

As the Parks Dept where the applicant, Cllr Howells being Chair of Parks as well as the responsible Executive Member clearly had a prejudicial interest. Cllr Howells did not (as far as we heard) notify the Planning Committee and public of this. In cases of prejudicial interest, the Protocol says: Do Not participate or give the appearance of trying to participate in the making of anydecision on the matter by the planning authority

His intervention of course breached this. And the open way in which he abused his Councillor position to air arguments for the scheme, in effect arguing for the applicant, breached the ‘key principle’

It is not enough to avoid actual impropriety. You should at all times avoid anyoccasion for suspicion and any appearance of improper conduct

Bute Park new access, Bridge and Roadways, planning application 07/02649/C

Assessors of the Planning application (from Highways Dept and Parks Dept) were not independent of the “applicant”; Paul Carter and ?? presented cases at the Planning Meeting. We objected that assessments from the two departments are not professionally independent. The Planning Officers said they have no way of getting independent advice on highways options and traffic safety, but have to accept the options appraisal report under Paul Carter's name [Annex 2].

RE Prayers

I laughed rather than heckled. Perhaps you would provide us with the text of this bizarre ‘prayer’ which will explain the guffaw!

I am sure you are aware that the Town Hall watchdog organisation, the National Association of Local Councils, which is observed at many town halls, describes prayers as merely an "old custom" which might upset councillors and members of the public of other religions as saying Christian prayers before council meetings might infringe human rights and equality laws. I have been a councillor in the past and am very surprised that Cardiff continues with this very dated old custom!

But the National Association said the practice, which is observed at many town halls, was merely an "old custom" which might upset councillors and members of the public of other religions.

I got chucked out of the council meeting after having to sit there from 4.20 to 8.30 to have them deal with the motion which you threw out like a dictator and replaced it with a new one to suit you, despite standing orders to the contrary. The Constitution 14.6 states the new motion "must not negate the motion" the new motion was not an amendment as it DESTROYS the original motion.

I got thrown out as a Cllr in executive pleaded that a new bridge £1.4 million was necessary to avoid any accidents in the future ...just move the risk ...I shouted 'take the lorries out of the park, stupid' and got thrown out of the meeting!

After I left the talking shop continued and ended with a challenge to Nigel Howells and everyone calling the LibDem sheep.

1. Cardiff’s Ecological Footprint (Cardiff Council, BRASS Research Centre, Cardiff University and WWF Cymru – September 2005)

Anne Greagsby

Rodneys email to me

Dear Anne,

As you know the scheme will cut down vehicle miles travelled within the park – and hence it will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions within the park. This is because once the new road access is in place the distance vehicles will need to travel within the park to get to and from the nursery will be significantly less. A significant proportion of the vehicular traffic which enters and leaves the park is doing so to access the nursery. Overall, the scheme will clearly lead to a reduction in vehicle miles travelled within the park.

I appreciate that in order to reduce carbon emissions to effectively tackle climate change, some difficult decisions will have to be taken and that there will be some people who will oppose these measures. We are perhaps straying into the sorts of arguments that often surround proposals for wind farms. Wind farms may alter the appearance of the surrounding environment but no-one would argue they don't contribute to tackling climate change. Whilst I appreciate your continued opposition to the new road access, the Council's administration takes the view that in this case cutting carbon emissions should take precedence.

As for your belief that the matter is not justified on the grounds of health and safety, you may be interested in the views of the Chief Executive of the Cardiff & the Vale Coalition of Disabled People, Charles Willie, who wrote the following e-mail to the Council earlier this week:

Having seen the recent ‘Dragons Eye’ programme on the proposed Bute Park developments, I thought it important as chair of the Access Focus Group to dispute much of what was said in that programme and from a disability access perspective offer our full and unequivocal support for the project. This support follows our most recent visit and tour to the park, and is therefore from a practical and evidenced based basis.

The two main contentions that we have are with regard to public consultation and health and safety

First with regard to consultation we are very concerned about the accusations surrounding the lack of public consultation and engagement around the project. Plans for and access to information has been in the public domain for sometime. We have been aware of the minutes of the Executive Business Meeting, 11 September 2007 that go in to great detail about the proposed plans and impacts. This has been supplemented by our own engagement with the project both with regard to the Access Focus Group and as with regard to the Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People there has been good contact and involvement with particularly John Green about the project. So the view that there has been no consultation is totally inaccurate

With regard to the vehicle access bridge, during our tour of the Park this was discussed at length and from those discussions it was clear that the new access point (from a disability access and safety perspective) at the top of park is to be welcomed as it would divert vehicles away from the pedestrian paths. The need for this became clear when as a group we encountered heavy plant vehicles which emphasised the danger that those particularly with sensory impairments could face.

Finally, can I express my sincere disappointed that you even heckled the Lord Mayor's chaplain during prayers at the start of yesterday's Council meeting. This is not something I have ever witnessed before and I know many people found it offensive.

Yours sincerely,

Rodney Berman
Leader of Cardiff Council
[PDF]

Charles Willie referred to this document

CARDIFF COUNCIL CYNGOR CAERDYDD EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING: 11 ...

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EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING: 11 SEPTEMBER 2007. CITY CENTRE STRATEGY 2007 - 2010. REPORT OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR ...... Cardiff Castle / £3.1m for Bute Park ...
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LibDem sheep vote to destroy listed Bute Park

Today the Fib Dem's and plaid lies excelled themselves by fencing off the area outside the city hall which was assessable only to cllrs for FREE parking.

They don't understand what democracy is never mind being green.
Shut up the opposition at any cost..

Prof Kevin Morgan stopped from protesting outside city hall by Cardiff council paid security people who didn't know why they where stopping people.

A police officer threatened to use the terrorist act - tells me we are NOT allowed to be in front of the city hall to protest because it is private property? "Council says it is private property"
He tells me "I can stop you under the terrorism act" !!!

I then got chucked out of the council meeting after having to sit there from 4.20 to 8.30 to have them deal with the motion which they threw out and replaced with a new one to suit them, despite standing orders to the contrary. The Constitution 14.6 states the new motion
"must not negate the motion" the new motion was not an amendment as it DESTROYS the original motion
The chair was asked to rule that the amendment was not an amendment but after advice from legal person from council decided to proceed to allow Fib Dems 'amendment' to railroad original motion
(there to cover their backs not to see rights observed!)


I got thrown out as a cllr in executive pleaded that a new bridge £1.4 million was necessary to avoid any accidents in the future ...just move the risk ...I shouted 'take the lorries out of the park, stupid'

and got thrown out of the meeting!
After I left the talking shop continued and we had the opportunity to make very direct heggling without being stopped.

It ended with a challenge to Nigel Howells and eveyone calling the LibDem sheep.

Original Motion

Cardiff Council full meeting tonight
Motion 3 to Cardiff council this evening 8.20pm for 30mins
This Council recognises that our city centre park complex, namely Bute Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields are invaluable to our city and are recognised by everyone as treasured open spaces.

By its actions in seeking to dispose of and destroy areas of open space across Cardiff, the Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru controlled Council administration has shown that facilities and amenities are not safe in its hands.
Council therefore calls on the Executive to:
1. immediately cease all developments in Bute Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields subject to 2 below.
2. undertake a wide-ranging consultation on the future use of these parks and to then bring forward a clear strategy for their future use & development.
3. immediately restore Pontcanna Fields to use for the benefit of the citizens of Cardiff.
Proposed by: Councillor Ralph Cook
Seconded by: Councillor Craig Williams

Bute Park alliance leaflet here

NEW MOTION from FIB DEMS and PLAID LIES to replace original which they call an amendment!

COUNCIL 25 JUNE 2009
Amendment 2 to Motion 3
Delete all and replace:
This Council recognises that our city centre park complex, namely Bute
Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields are
invaluable to our city and are recognised by everyone as treasured open
spaces.
This Council notes:
1. The decision of the Labour administration on 5th February 2004
that approved the Parks Partnership Programme and the application
for funding under the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Public Parks
Initiative for the Bute Park Restoration Project.
2. The approval by the Executive on 5th July 2007 of the Council’s
Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012.
3. The unanimous decision of the Full Council on 27th September
2007 that agreed the provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian
access bridge for Bute Park off North Road.
4. The subsequent capital allocations for the Bute Park Restoration
Project and the new vehicular and pedestrian access bridge for
Bute Park in the Council’s Capital Budgets for 2008/09 and
2009/10.
This Council welcomes the award by the Heritage Lottery Fund of a grant
of £3.1 million towards a total budget spend of £5.6 million for the Bute
Park Restoration Project that will see:
· Restoration and repair of the Animal Wall
· Re-flooding of the Mill Leat on the western side of the castle
· Restoration and conservation of the Blackfriars Friary site
· Restoration and conservation of the West Lodge
· Development of new visitor facilities at the West Lodge
· Development of a new training / education centre at the Castle
Nursery
· Reinstatement of the Victorian Summerhouse based on the original
Burgess design
· Restoration of elements of the Victorian garden layout of Andrew
Pettigrew
· Appointment of Bute Park based Apprentices in addition to
existing horticultural apprentices
· Appointment of Bute Park based gardeners
· Provision of opportunities for work experience / work placement in
conjunction with schools, colleges and universities
· Provision of new seating, litter bins, signage and interpretation
throughout the park
This Council notes the Statement on Continuing Community Involvement
included within the Bute Park 10 Year Maintenance and Management
Plan.
This Council welcomes the intention of the Executive to open up the
North Gate of Cardiff Castle thus creating an additional pedestrian access
to Bute Park and allowing a natural pedestrian link from St Mary Street
and High Street, through Cardiff Castle and on into Bute Park.
This Council welcomes the desire to reduce the conflict between
pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles within Bute Park, to better control the
movement of vehicles within Bute Park and to significantly reduce the
number of vehicle miles travelled within Bute Park.
This Council notes that following last year’s highly successful National
Eisteddfod, the construction work involved in restoring the site is now
complete and, subject to aftercare and establishment of the area, the four
reconstructed cricket tables will be available for play during next season.
This Council notes that Glamorgan County Cricket Club have progressed
its own arrangements to facilitate media coverage for the forthcoming
Ashes Test at the Swalec Stadium.
This Council calls on the Executive to:
1. Develop proposals to encourage community involvement in the
restoration programme and the aftercare of Bute Park.
2. Not progress the proposed reconfiguration of the car park at Sophia
Gardens.
3. Continue to progress the objectives of the Council’s Parks and
Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012.
4. Bring forward a report, within this financial year, outlining the
progress of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012 for
scrutiny by the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee.
5. Explore opportunities for ensuring the conservation of Bute Park’s
unique horticultural and heritage features through protective
covenants.
Proposed by Councillor Nigel Howells
Seconded by Councillor Neil McEvoy

last minute tricks by Fib Dems and Plaid Lies

Last minute amendment to motion 3 but still proceeding with the road/bridge into listed bute park.

Support has been given by cllrs and others with downright misleading information and out right lies.

We do not accept that the Council needs to drive massive articulated lorries, containing bedding plants from Holland, into their premier heritage park, or that the £1.4 million pound bridge is necessary for health and safety reasons related to events in the park.

Wasting £1.4 million of public money
Note the start of work without planning permission
Deceiving the public and heritage lottery fund and CADW about the actual design
Misleading maps in the recent capital times
Didn't follow their own policy on green spaces and parks -
No environmental impact assessment
No waiting until after nesting season as in planning conditions
No disability equality impact assessment had been conducted in making the decision, as required under the DDA 2005

This is more greenwash and the public won't fall for it

Plaid and lib Dems or Fib Dems and Plaid lies have lost all credibility when it comes to green credentials - It is indeed the age of stupid to proceed with outdated and environmentally destructive policy.


COUNCIL 25 JUNE 2009
Amendment 2 to Motion 3
Delete all and replace:
This Council recognises that our city centre park complex, namely Bute
Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields are
invaluable to our city and are recognised by everyone as treasured open
spaces.
This Council notes:
1. The decision of the Labour administration on 5th February 2004
that approved the Parks Partnership Programme and the application
for funding under the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Public Parks
Initiative for the Bute Park Restoration Project.
2. The approval by the Executive on 5th July 2007 of the Council’s
Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012.
3. The unanimous decision of the Full Council on 27th September
2007 that agreed the provision of a new vehicular and pedestrian
access bridge for Bute Park off North Road.
4. The subsequent capital allocations for the Bute Park Restoration
Project and the new vehicular and pedestrian access bridge for
Bute Park in the Council’s Capital Budgets for 2008/09 and
2009/10.
This Council welcomes the award by the Heritage Lottery Fund of a grant
of £3.1 million towards a total budget spend of £5.6 million for the Bute
Park Restoration Project that will see:
· Restoration and repair of the Animal Wall
· Re-flooding of the Mill Leat on the western side of the castle
· Restoration and conservation of the Blackfriars Friary site
· Restoration and conservation of the West Lodge
· Development of new visitor facilities at the West Lodge
· Development of a new training / education centre at the Castle
Nursery
· Reinstatement of the Victorian Summerhouse based on the original
Burgess design
· Restoration of elements of the Victorian garden layout of Andrew
Pettigrew
· Appointment of Bute Park based Apprentices in addition to
existing horticultural apprentices
· Appointment of Bute Park based gardeners
· Provision of opportunities for work experience / work placement in
conjunction with schools, colleges and universities
· Provision of new seating, litter bins, signage and interpretation
throughout the park
This Council notes the Statement on Continuing Community Involvement
included within the Bute Park 10 Year Maintenance and Management
Plan.
This Council welcomes the intention of the Executive to open up the
North Gate of Cardiff Castle thus creating an additional pedestrian access
to Bute Park and allowing a natural pedestrian link from St Mary Street
and High Street, through Cardiff Castle and on into Bute Park.
This Council welcomes the desire to reduce the conflict between
pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles within Bute Park, to better control the
movement of vehicles within Bute Park and to significantly reduce the
number of vehicle miles travelled within Bute Park.
This Council notes that following last year’s highly successful National
Eisteddfod, the construction work involved in restoring the site is now
complete and, subject to aftercare and establishment of the area, the four
reconstructed cricket tables will be available for play during next season.
This Council notes that Glamorgan County Cricket Club have progressed
its own arrangements to facilitate media coverage for the forthcoming
Ashes Test at the Swalec Stadium.
This Council calls on the Executive to:
1. Develop proposals to encourage community involvement in the
restoration programme and the aftercare of Bute Park.
2. Not progress the proposed reconfiguration of the car park at Sophia
Gardens.
3. Continue to progress the objectives of the Council’s Parks and
Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012.
4. Bring forward a report, within this financial year, outlining the
progress of the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2007-2012 for
scrutiny by the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee.
5. Explore opportunities for ensuring the conservation of Bute Park’s
unique horticultural and heritage features through protective
covenants.
Proposed by Councillor Nigel Howells
Seconded by Councillor Neil McEvoy

Cease all developments in BUTE PARK protest 3.45 outside city hall

Ask your councillor to support this motion
Cardiff Council full meeting tonight
Motion 3 to Cardiff council this evening 8.20pm for 30mins
This Council recognises that our city centre park complex, namely Bute Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields are invaluable to our city and are recognised by everyone as treasured open spaces.

By its actions in seeking to dispose of and destroy areas of open space across Cardiff, the Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru controlled Council administration has shown that facilities and amenities are not safe in its hands.
Council therefore calls on the Executive to:
1. immediately cease all developments in Bute Park, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields subject to 2 below.
2. undertake a wide-ranging consultation on the future use of these parks and to then bring forward a clear strategy for their future use & development.
3. immediately restore Pontcanna Fields to use for the benefit of the citizens of Cardiff.
Proposed by: Councillor Ralph Cook
Seconded by: Councillor Craig Williams

Bute Park alliance leaflet here

Vital Council Meeting this Thursday

Bute Parks Alliance - please Act Now!

Vital Council Meeting this Thursday
| Council to debate Moratorium Motion | Demonstration | Please lobby your councillor |

Dear friend,

I’m emailing you as you have expressed interest/ signed a petition/ joined BPA/ asked to be on our supporters list/ with regards to the development threats in Bute Park and the other three central Cardiff parks on the west of the Taff, Llandaff Fields, Pontcanna Fields, Sophia Gardens.

You may have seen the reports of opposition to the proposed Bute Park bridge and the enlarged roads in the park carried in the local papers, the Echo and Western Mail, and on local television reports. Alternatively you may have seen material on UK sources such as the Guardian and Private Eye or on the web.

We have repeatedly put our case against driving a massive new bridge and roads into one of the unspoilt parts of the park. We do not accept that the Council needs to drive massive articulated lorries, containing bedding plants from Holland, into their premier heritage park, or that the £1.4 million pound bridge is necessary for health and safety reasons related to events in the park.

We have received support from councillors of all political parties but unfortunately the Council Executive continue to repeat spurious claims about public support for the proposals.

Below I quote two independent and authoritative sources:

December 2007: CADW wrote, ‘This area of the park is at present tranquil woodland and lawn dotted with specimen trees. The dock feeder canal runs quietly through it, flanked by an unsurfaced path and wider tarmacked path/roadway. There are no modern intrusions and the nursery enclosure to the west is well screened from the area…. The introduction of a wide modern road and bridge into this unspoilt area would in our view be unsympathetic and highly visible.’

February 2008: Chief Strategic Planning and Environment officer Sean Hannaby wrote to Tom Morgan, the Council Corporate Director, ‘I have a copy of the Committee report that is due to go out tomorrow, recommending refusal for the bridge. I have considered the matter carefully and am satisfied that I have no credible alternative…. We have a legal duty to protect or enhance the character of the park and cannot use highway issues as a reason to set that aside.’

However the Council has already begun preparatory work on North Road in spite of the Council’s own planning condition insisting that no ground clearance or tree cutting should begin during the bird nesting season running till July 31st. Consequently we have asked sympathetic councillors to bring a motion to the Council on next Thursday 25th June calling for a halt to development in the four parks so that a proper informed debate can take place on their use.

The last 70 years have seen massive incremental damage to the four parks. You can download here the leaflet we are giving to every councillor on Thursday. It shows the degree destruction and privatisation that has been allowed in that time and which has escalated over the last few years.

Below is the motion being put by Conservative, Labour and Independent councillors. We believe that many Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru have genuine conservation/green beliefs and will be prepared to vote with their consciences and against the Council Executive.

So please come and show your support outside the City Hall, Cathays Park at 3.45 on Thursday. Or if you can’t attend email your councillor and ask them to back the call for a moratorium.

Yours,

Professor Kevin Morgan Bute Parks Alliance

Cllr responsible NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Find your cllr here http://www.writetothem.com/
FIB DEM leader rberman@cardiff.gov.uk,

Fib Dems no disabilty impact assessment on Bute Park Bridge/road

FIB DEMS Cardiff what disability equality impact assessment conducted in making the decision, as required under the DDA 2005.?

Council warned on Bute Park bridge

Jun 17 2009 by Martin Shipton, South Wales Echo

Council warned on Bute Park bridge

CARDIFF council has been warned it could breach its own planning permission after contractors began preparations to build a controversial bridge and road into Bute Park.

The scheme has been bitterly opposed by the campaign group Bute Park Alliance, which has accused the council of planning to “desecrate” the Grade I-listed park.

Acting on behalf of the scheme’s opponents, environmental lawyer Richard Buxton has written to the council warning it not to start work before the end of July.

One of the planning conditions for the scheme says work should not proceed during the nesting season, which lasts until July 31.

A spokeswoman for Bute Park Alliance said: “Cardiff council is disregarding its own planning conditions by starting work on the site. The noise and disruption caused by the contractors in their compound adjacent to the park will inevitably cause distress to nesting birds.

“Only on Sunday, a family of blackcaps was spotted on the site of the proposed access bridge.

“Public trust in the council is at an all-time low, particularly as 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.

“The access bridge will destroy the character of Bute Park for ever.

“The council has repeatedly neglected to inform the public that the access bridge is almost 30ft wide, What’s more, the bridge will be practically 200ft long from the point it enters the park on North Road to where it finishes.

“It may even be longer because of the gradient – 17%, or one in six. With such a gradient the 40-ton lorries using it will not be able to do so safely, so it seems likely that the bridge will have to be extended at a less fierce gradient – which will involve eating up yet more green space. Bute Park is one of Wales’ treasures. Surely it is time the Assembly Government intervened to save it?”

A council spokeswoman said: “The council has responded to Mr Buxton’s letter of May 18 and it will be responding to the points raised in his further letter of June 12. The planning condition preventing disturbance of nesting birds by felling, lopping or relocation of trees/vegetative clearance during the nesting season has been and will continue to be enforced.

“We strongly refute the claim that the new bridge will destroy the character of Bute Park.

“The map printed in Capital Times was not doctored but simplified to show readers the existing routes used by vehicles and how the new access bridge will take traffic out of the majority of the park, making it a more enjoyable and safer experience for park users.”

Write to Cllr Howells who is responsible and copy to annegre@aol.com
NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,

leaked email pressurising the planners to let the plans through.

The contractors were just working on the pavement crossover today.
They uncovered pipes in the pavement, which could be ruptured by heavy lorries crossing,so will have to move or protect them.

The case officer is keeping his head down. After assuming no nesting problem because the trees had already gone, he is bringing in the Council ecologist to inspect for nesting birds.

We can't trust the Council and demand that they allow an independent professional to do the inspection.

BPA have a leaked email pressurising the planners to let the plans through.

also the engineer's report has been altered between two versions to say "unsafe" and
"unacceptable".

Disability Discrimination Act. Danger to disabled people
The bridge is too steep for wheelchairs, so why they didn't choose a DDA-compliant design. I did raise with Pat Thompson (Project Manager) the point about wheelchair-users on the 4-metre wide 'path' being passed by large lorries (or feeling scared and going down the 1 in 5 slope).
think of the space for a 2.5m lorry, 1m clearance, 0.6m wheelchair and say 0.3m at each edge.

The footway over the bridge with kerbed section to protect pedestrians going to nothing where the bridge narrows may also be non-compliant.

Bute Park watch

Bridge/Road site on North Road...
It was pretty quiet this morning, they've cordoned off one lane of highway, pushed pedestrians onto the cycleway and cordoned off the carpark. Just now one contractor van (Griffiths, Abergavenny) has arrived, 3 guys and a small JCB.
It looks as if they will be building the pavement crossover first...to make life difficult for cyclists and pedestrians.

Lorraine Barrett to raise question re Bute Park

Lorraine Barrett AM to ask a question in the assembly re the Bute Park work..
Lorraine says she is "very concerned about this work going on during
the nesting season and I am thinking of raising a question to the First Minister
on Tuesday, concentrating on the nesting issue but also mentioning the way that
the council has generally dealt with this matter without regard to so many
peoples' concerns."

http://www.lorrainebarrett.co.uk/

Cardiff's planners will fail city of the future
http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1cc87019637a97bbfc1a2ec95&id=77c69ec37e

legal challenge overr libdems/plaid plan for Bute Park Road

1. tell your cllrs to pull off the contractors
2. respect the condition against works in the nesting season
3. who is ready to demonstrate at short notice

Urgent Request for Bird Watchers
- volunteers sought to record birds on or near the construction site email annegre@aol.com
07817513610 Join us on the FACEBOOK Group

Disgraceful behaviour and lies of Cllr Howells and lib dem/plaid cardiff council exposed!

Environment lawyer calls for Bute Park assessment

South Wales Echo, Jun 12 2009 by Martin Shipton,

OPPONENTS of council plans to drive a lorry access bridge and enlarged, raised roadways through Bute Park have obtained legal backing for a challenge to the local authority.

Environmental lawyer, Cambridge-based Richard Buxton, has called on Cardiff council to fulfil its obligations under European law by carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The EIA would properly assess the full impact the council’s proposed developments will have on the Grade I-listed historic landscape and arboretum with rare trees, as well as the adjacent wildlife habitat and mature woodland.

In a letter Mr Buxton also reminds the council of the strength of public opposition to its plans, and its duty to fully inform and consult the public when taking environmentally sensitive decisions.

Professor Kevin Morgan, chairman of campaigning group Bute Parks Alliance, said: “It is quite clear that the council has failed hopelessly in its duty to properly inform the public of its plans.”.

“Nowhere in its disingenuous ‘information’ material does it clarify that the proposed access bridge is more than 28 feet wide, and will be raised on pillars, and that sections of the current eight-foot path would be more than doubled in width and turned into a lorry roadway raised on an embankment.

“Nor does it say it would be still wider on curves to accommodate the largest lorries and that still more of the meadow would be converted to a lorry waiting bay.”

A host of celebrities, among them actors Matthew Rhys and Ioan Gruffudd, and entertainer Griff Rhys Jones, oppose the plans.

A Cardiff council spokesman said: “Cardiff council has responded to the letter from Mr Richard Buxton.

“It is not aware of any legal challenge to its processes in regard to the new bridge access at Bute Park.

“Once again the council would reiterate that full consultation has been carried out regarding the proposed access bridge and there are no plans to use the park as a money making facility by allowing an increase in major events.

“The new bridge will make it safer for users by relocating traffic away from principal routes used by pedestrians and the Taff floral border where people enjoy sitting out.

“The council is working to enhance and improve Bute Park and has embarked on a £5.6m conservation project in partnership with HLF, restoring historic features and opening the North Gate to reconnect Cardiff Castle to the park.”

The spokesman added that, in the council’s view, there is no need for a formal EIA.

gareth450 wrote:

The council declares that a full consultation was done with regards to the bridge. This is a lie. Many people on their list of people and groups that apparently gave letters of support to the council for this have no knowledge of the councils bridge plans. Some of these groups include Cardiff Horticultural Society, The Victorian Society, Environmental Agency, Welsh Institute for Sport, Cardiff Union and University ....... For more details and the collected evidence go to http://sites.google.com/site/butepark/bridge-road-development/consultation.

The consultation with the public caused over 1000 people to complain (according to the councils own planning report).

Bulldozer Howells gives work go ahead on BUTE PARK road despite the birds

Cardiff Council apparent intention is to ignore the nesting season Condition 20.
Case officer Richard Cole had no approach to waive the condition on
no tree-clearing or vegetation clearing till 31 July, no 'ecologist' report from the developers...
if the contractors come across nesting birds then they'd have to stop.

He doesn't appreciate how much vegetation is there, saying all the trees have gone already (untrue). So it would take some pressure to force them to acknowledge that moving any equipment onto the site would indeed disturb any nesting birds - so agree to stop this until and unless it is conclusively shown there are no nesting birds there.

Have you got the skills to inspect and record birds on/near the site?

Bulldozer Howellls is allowing work to start on a huge bridge and ROAD into listed Bute Park for articulated lorries. This destruction and concreting over of swathes of the memorial gardens in Bute Park is totally unnecessary. Bulldozer Howells uses the Capital Times to lie about his plans. He calims to have only one tree will be chopped down when we have photographs that clearly show all the tress felled and those that are still to be felled.Only bulldozer Howells and his lib dem council could contemplate such an act of vandalism on the jewel of Cardiff, listed Bute Park and claim to to be 'green' at the same time..
1,633 people on the Green Party Facebook group ACT NOW to save Bute Park say STOP IT!

While Cadw stand by!! And the heritage lottery fund fund 'restoration' of the park!

The Law ** as I understand it makes it an offence to
intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built
so the Planning cdn should/must mean more than this.

It should mean in this situation that nesting birds must be presumed present - and likely to suffer from disturbance - in the adjacent trees/bushes as well as the undergrowth. I found Gloucestershire's guide - below - there must be people who know good practice (biodiversity officer or RSPB)

Of course, if someone could find a nest in the undergrowth, that would be conclusive.

** Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as strengthened in January 2001 by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
(CRoW)
PROTEST write to Cardiff Cllr for parks NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Lib dem leader of the council rberman@cardiff.gov.uk,
letters@guardian.co.uk
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,


Gloucestershire Bird Nesting Advice Note
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/adobe_acrobat/7/4/Bird_Nesting_Advice_Note_Gloucestershire1.pdf
As a general rule, it should be assumed that birds will be nesting in trees, scrub, reeds or substantial ditch side vegetation during the core breeding period, unless a survey has shown this not to be the case.

The following protocol should be followed if work is deemed to be necessary within or close to the core bird nesting season, or may affect the habitat of a species known to nest outside the core season.
• Before works commence a suitably qualified or experienced person should undertake a careful survey of the proposed working area to ensure that there are no nesting birds.

'bulldozer' Howells

I have heard reports that 'bulldozer' Howells is allowing work to proceed
on the new road into Bute Park.
email hime with your views NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
This is the CADW which is there 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 but fails to do this.

Cllr Howells Lib Dems lies and propaganda on BUTE PARK

Why is Cllr Howells and the LIB DEMS spending council tax payers money on such blatant propaganda!! read June edition of Capital times yourself here

Q: There has been some criticism about the council’s proposals for Bute Park, why do you think that is?: "I think the main reason is because people aren’t being told the truth about our proposals by some of those who are opposing it. If someone said to me that a dual carriageway was being bulldozed through the park, trees were being cut down and the council was going use the park as a cash cow to host more events I’d be furious too."
Councillor Howells lies as no one ever suggested that a dual carriageway was to be built through the park!
TRUTH - shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.

Q: So what exactly are the proposals? Executive member for Sport Leisure and Culture, Councillor Nigel Howells,
"We are building a new access bridge off North Road which will allow service vehicles that need access to avoid the busiest areas of the park. The new bridge will take vehicles away from the historic heart of the park, leaving it traffic free for the public to enjoy. This will significantly improve both the safety of park users and reduce the damaging effects vehicles cause to the unique heritage of the park."

TRUTH:NO NO NO There won't be more SAFETY for PARK USERS - it won't as it moves the traffic and articulated lorries and the risk to pedestrians elsewhere.

Q: What about criticism about paths being widened and trees cut down to accommodate
the bridge?
Councillor Howells: "There will be some widening of
paths near the new bridge (to 8 metres) so that vehicles can get into the park and access the nursery and some paths will be marginally extended, but the truth is
that this will have minimal visual impact on the park (really???) Only one holly tree is being lost as a direct result of the development " LIE

TRUTH
JUST Look at what Cllr Howells has done in BUTE PARK and need I say that more than one tree has been chopped and the one with the X for the chop!! And there are the trees that are to be chopped back to accommodate passing articulated lorries!

Q: There have also been arguments about the bridge leading to more vehicles entering the park and the council laying on more events to generate more money.
Councillor Howells: I can categorically deny both
these points. They are simply untrue. .. All the restoration work will be
enhanced by provision of on site visitor facilities and interpretation. The nursery will be developed as an educational and training centre for our own staff, schools and the community,
Furthermore we will be able to increase staffing levels within the park. (and increase Traffic)

Q: You have also been accused of not consulting over these plans and forcing them through.
Councillor Howells: Again, nothing could be further from the truth. We have consulted extensively over our plans and had widespread support from
many organisations including historic bodies. In terms of the bridge it went
through the correct planning process with all legal requirements rigorously
adhered to." except for the work illustrated in the photographs went ahead WITHOUT permission!!

During the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Flower Show weekend" thousands of visitors signed a petition against and were horrified to hear more of the park was to be concreted over! Not to mention the thousand plus who signed the petition and wrote to cllrs to complain about the plans and who Cllr Howells has ignored. Lib Dems have also ignored the 1,628 members facebook group of objectors to their plans!

Q: Finally, how important is Bute Park to Cardiff.
Councillor Howells: "There has been a lot of misinformation regarding Cardiff Council’s plans to build a new access bridge into Bute Park."
YES and Cllr Howells is the one giving the misinformation!

Find out the facts, which include:

*The shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.

*Roadways enlarged and raised to accommodate articulated lorries.

*Mature trees lopped to allow huge lorries to pass.

*A turning circle on the meadow - yet more tarmac to allow articulated lorries freedom of access into our park.

Add your voice to the campaign and join Bute Parks Alliance

Further information : savebutepark@yahoo.co.uk
or annegre@aol.com