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.
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.
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
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.
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!
ENVIRONMENTAL SCRUTINY COMMITTEELindsay 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 toThe Bridge or lodge at ButePark.
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!
"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 fundENVIRONMENTAL SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
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 ButePark 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.
respect the condition against works in the nesting season
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!
OPPONENTS of council plans to drive a lorry access bridge and enlarged, raised roadways through ButePark 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 ButePark.
“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 ButePark and has embarked on a £5.6m conservation project in partnership with HLF, restoring historic features and opening the North Gate to reconnect CardiffCastle to the park.”
The spokesman added that, in the council’s view, there is no need for a formal EIA.
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).
“Over my dead body will anything bad happen to that park ”- plans in best interest of city” says leisure chief!
Coun Howells “What we are doing is in the best interests of ButePark and will preserve what is one of the best examples of Victorian Parkland in the UK”.
Despite a letter from an assembly civil servant from writing on behalf of heritage minister heritage Alun Ffred Jones and calling for more consultation Coun Howells said that the council had no plans for further consultation nad the heritage lottery fund was not taking any interest in the work to the road or the lorry bridge.
We challenge Cllr Howells to attend a public meeting. Give us a chance to discuss it with you, he couldn't find the time to attend the last public meeting.
Tell him what you think! NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
journalist who wrote the article david.james@mediawales.co.uk,
write to echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,
It will be over our dead bodies that Cllr Howells scars and destroys ButePark and its landscape by building this ugly raised 4 metre wide roads with dangerous 2 metre long 1 in 5 slopes on either sidethrough ButePark. It is extremely arrogant of Cllr Howells to state that he knows best. He has been corrupt in
1. Failing to ensure that the ButePark new development was properly assessed for sustainability prior to implementation as in the Park & Green Space Strategy
2. Failing to consider a decision to limit the size of lorries in the Park as requested from Cllr Simon Wakefield).
3. Speaking at the planning meeting purely advocating the project without claiming to representing his electors’ views, and did not declare a prejudicial ‘interest’.
Cllr Nigel Howells, Exec member has the scheme in his portfolio
4. Reports from council officers were 'sexed down' to minimise the impact.
The Highways “Options Appraisal” was altered (between the January and August versions) to support the Parks’ claim of the present situation being ‘unsafe’ and the Project being ‘essential
There must be a comprehensive programme of public consultation on the proposed plans to restore the Park and I challenge Cllr Howells to give us a time he can attend a public meeting to give people the chance to answer these question and others.
Thank you for your email of 02 December 2008 to the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, regarding your concerns with the position taken by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in relation to the proposals for the building ofa new bridge and road in ButePark, Cardiff. I have been asked to reply.
I understand that in June 2006, the HLF Trustees awarded a Stage One, development funding of £115,000 to Cardiff County Council for the restoration of ButePark. This was followed in March 2008 by a Stage Two main award of £3,123,000 to enable the Council to restore the Park through conservation and interpretation work which would include a new build educational facility and an on-site horticultural training programme.
The £3.1 million grant awarded by the HLF to Cardiff County Council to restore ButePark does not include funding for the design, planning or construction of the new access bridge and road into the Park which forms the subject of current public concern. However, HLF is conscious that the success of its grant award to the project is dependent on the successful integration of all forms of physical and intellectual access in the Park. In this respect, they have asked Cardiff County Council to provide ongoing evidence of their commitment to consult and involve the public, community and conservation groups in the project, to ensure public support for this project, and the future of the Park heritage.
HLF takes very seriously the public concerns which have arisen since the summer of 2007 and have discussed with Cardiff County Council the apparent lack of dialogue with stakeholders and park users on this issue. Direct involvement by the public in their heritage is one of HLF’s strategic priorities, so it is crucial for the proposed plans to restore the Park that there is a comprehensive programme of public consultation. As part of its monitoring of the grant to the Council, HLF continue to keep this under review.
Whilst the Welsh Assembly Government has responsibility for developing the policy framework for the HLF in Wales, it remains at arms length from the day to day regulation and operation of HLF. Should you wish to contact the HLF for further information or clarification, they can be contacted at;
HLF wants the acceptance of the bridge by all users of the Park including local residents and community groupsbut this has not been achieved; indeed people thought the £1.4 million cost is quite out of order. It follows that their condition for the "success of the HLF project" is not met, so they should suspend progress on this until a solution agreed by the bulk of users of the Park is achieved.
The universal opposition to large lorries for the Nursery's plant business and to the new roadways (that turn out to be 4-metres wide on 3ft high embankments - creating new conflicts between pedestrians and lorries - an issue that the Council has never disclosed and consulted on).
What HLF said “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”.
What HLF say now ...Thank you for your emails. I have not responded about the public debate as I was waiting on further information from Professor Kevin Mason, which he supplied yesterday. As you well know the Heritage Lottery Fund is not funding the new access bridge which is the subject of the public debate - I attach our Public Statement as a reminder. As we cannot comment on those elements funded by other parties, neither I nor Mr Dan Clayton Jones will be attending the meeting.
Thank you again for your interest in the work of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Best Wishes Jennifer Stewart
Jennifer Stewart Pennaeth CDL, Cymru/Head of HLF, Wales Llinell uniongyrchol/direct line 029 2023 4144 www.hlf.org.uk
Date: 4th Nov 2008 Bute Park – Public Statement
A HLF spokesperson said “The £3.1 million grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to Cardiff County Council to restore Bute Park is not funding the design, planning or construction of the new access bridge and road into the Park, which forms the subject of current public concern.
“However HLF is conscious that the success of its grant award to the project is dependent on the successful integration of all forms of physical and intellectual access in the Park. We have asked the Council to provide ongoing evidence of their commitment to consult and involve the public, community and conservation groups in the project, to ensure public support for this project, and the future of the Park’s priceless heritage.”
-Ends-
Further information: Please contact the Heritage Lottery Fund on 029 2034 3413 or email wales@hlf.org.uk
NOTE that 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 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”.
Berman is right about the date - Glamorgan Building (Committee Room 1) for 5pm on 12 December for the Bute Park Debate.Councillor Nigel Howells not available either but this is urgent - Lets hope we can find a senior Cardiff Council lib dem who is free! And someone from the HLF! Jennifer Stewart
Jennifer doesn't want to attend a public meeting - She says'To be honest I don't think there would be much more to add to our public statement: - as you know, we are not funding the new access bridge, we are funding the restoration of the historic park. And, as a funder, we have no role, nor locus, in the planning process. These are rather brief, boring messages for the audience! And the real debate will centre on other issues, not our funding.'
But she seems to have forgotten that she wrote to me saying HLF did tell the council 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"
email from jennifer stuart to me
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-----Original Message----- Llinell uniongyrchol/direct line 029 2023 4144 www.hlf.org.uk jennifers@hlf.org.uk, Email From: Berman, Rodney (Cllr) Sent: Sat, 29 Nov 2008 9:40 Subject: RE: private eye and Bute Park
I have already explained to Professor Morgan that Councillor Nigel Howells would be much better placed than me to participate in the debate on behalf of the Council as the Executive Member responsible for parks.
I have also explained that he is already committed to being out of the country on 12 December (which was the date given to me by Professor Morgan, not 10 December) and that I would also not be available on that date as I am committed to being in mid-Wales.
However, I have made it clear to Professor Morgan that Nigel Howells would be more than happy to participate in the debate if it was possible to rearrange the date and have suggested to Professor Morgan that he liases with Nigel Howells directly.
Even in these difficult times, it seems, money can still be found to spoil things unnecessarily: in this case Bute Park, a much loved oasis in the centre of Cardiff....Bute Park is listed as grade 1 by the Welsh historic building and environment agency, CADW, on the Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest . Not that such an accolade seems able to protect it. ...
Here is a copy of the letter containing a number of questions that remain unanswered that I sent to Pat Thompson who is the project lead for the Bute Park lorry road and bridge.
Dear Mr Thompson,
Thank you for meeting us last Monday.
We have obtained the Green Spaces & Parks Strategy and are giving it further consideration.
In the meantime could you supply details as discussed at our meeting:
Removal of trees early in Spring. Apart from the diseased beech, you said another tree (or two) was taken down by the boundary fence, indicating the north end of gap. Was this from your own inspection or would you please supply a record of this tree or trees taken down by the Parks Dept? Unmapped champion oaks Have you checked the two major oaks to the NE of the Nursery missing from your chart? Does this not reflect on the reliability of the remaining mapping of trees
Covenant You promised to let us see the covenant(s) on Bute Park Memorial trees and plaques: what agreement was there by the Council and payments accepted for erecting these? And were the people involved notified by the Parks Dept. of the scheme? Lorries in the Park at present. How many lorry movements through on average (50-100 per week in a press report) and how many of these are concerned with the Nursery plant business (of 700 000 plants per year)? How many are large lorries – was the figure of 36 per year stated at Committee the number of artic lorries?
"Ensuring that all new developments or changes in the service are properly assessed for sustainability prior to implementation." You said the basis for the scheme is in the Park & Green Space Strategy; can you provide a document showing how the balance of positives and negatives in that Strategy were assessed?
You mention improving site use and increasing income generation, but in the Strategy there are also eg. 11) To adapt operations to reduce their impact on the environment. 12) To adopt appropriate and innovative ways of working to respond to climate change and improve environmental quality in parks and green spaces. Decision to allow the largest lorries in the Park You accepted this is a decision for the Parks service and referred to the Park & Green Space Strategy, which requires you to maintain and improve environmental quality, and to conserve and improve local heritage assets. So doesn’t any past practice to allow occasional over 30-tonne and artic lorries need to be assessed on this Strategy?
Assessment following the Aboriculture report As this shows that 43 trees will have to be lopped and raised roadways will have to be constructed, will you be reassessing the project under the Park & Green Space Strategy in the light of these significant impacts?
Safety of the Lorry Road design (4m wide, 36” high, grassed 1 in 5 slopes) You accepted that lorries passing pedestrians, wheelchairs etc. on these roadways might be intimidating and problematic. How do you propose to address this problem – does it come under the Strategy’s “involve the public.. in partnership to manage parks and green spaces”?
The planning proposal was for a new access gate and bridge. As the Planning Committee report states, it does not cover the design of roadways and safety within the Park.
"10.6 There no longer remains any overt technical/professional objection to the proposal, but the degree of public opposition to the scheme cannot be ignored and appeals to the Council to consider alternative methods of managing access to the park are noted, however the local planning authority ultimately has to decide the proposal placed before it."
The officers' recommendation covers only the access and bridge, not roadways and vehicles in the Park. Yet most public opposition was to opening up the Park to lorries, especially the large lorries.
The Council's promotional brochure talks not of roadways but of "paths… widened to 4m to accommodate larger vehicles", and does not talk of strengthening to carry 40-tonne artics. The actual design for roadway - to avoid damaging tree roots - would build 4m roadways raised by 350-400mm above the present paths, with 2m tapered ramps on either side (1 in 5 slopes).
Few people will feel comfortable with lorries passing that close with no kerbed pavement. Working on 1 metre minimum clearance, cyclists and wheelchairs will divert onto the grassed slope - and wheelchairs will have difficulty in getting back up.
Thus the 4m design is ill-conceived; too narrow to give clearance from 2.5m wide lorries and wide enough to encourage 1.8 metre cars (the majority) to pass by driving on the sloping verge. The whole idea of park users sharing a "path" with lorries should be rejected - and lorries that are not very occasional or for special events, but 50 to 100 per week. Lorry roadways must be separate from pedestrian paths.
I hope that HLF will raise our concerns with the council and also consider carefully the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust questions about the suitability of a listed park as a venue for more events and an expanding nursery business which relies on articulated lorries. I notice that the council website has no information on the HLF project – or feeder bridge project.
It is quite clear that the present scheme could not accord with what HLF would require for a Grade 1 listed historic landscape.
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.
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.
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