Temporary car park plan in Llandaff playing field angers locals

A planning application for a temporary car park in a Llandaff playing field lodged to Cardiff Council has prompted local objections.

The application from University of Wales Institute Cardiff for 52 car parking spaces to be made available on the grassy area behind UWIC campus between Llandaff Cathedral cemetery and the Taff trail is to accommodate the expansion of the university.
The relocation of the Cardiff School of Management from Colchester Avenue to the Llandaff campus is already underway. The campus has 435 parking spaces, 395 of which are for staff.

A notice of the application was erected on a tree in the field for residents who use the playing field to walk their dogs and for running.

The application states the new temporary car park will be for the academic year until 31 October 2011 and aims to retain the local character by having a "grassed surface reinforced by a honeycomb mesh to minimise the visual impact on the area." The statement says:

"The proposed temporary car park would cover a small corner of the field, which is not used for sport or recreational use."

One local resident, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce said locals who use the park are not happy about the application notice.

"I run around the park area regularly and this one notice on one tree isn't very democratic.

"The buildings outside Cardiff Castle were supposed to be temporary and look how long they stayed with us.

"People have been completely horrified by the way they have been notified and it's another threat to the green spaces in Cardiff.

"If this piece of parkland goes it's another segment which will be lost. You can see the Cathedral from the park and it's just a lovely area."

A planning application for an overflow car park in the same site was refused by Cardiff Council on 3 November 2007 on the grounds it would harm the character of the area. Since from the site you can view Llandaff Cathedral, it is protected as a Llandaff Conservation Area (instated by Cardiff Council in 1968 to protect sites of historical interest).

Local counciloor for Llandaff, Gareth Aubrey said:

"There's a lot of concern about the visual impact especially how it relates to the cathedral. At some stage we have to find a way to get more parking for the UWIC campus.

"We want to make sure that the conservation position is defended but at some time we need to do something about parking and this may be it."

A spokesperson from UWIC said:

"With the development of the facilities at our Llandaff campus we believe that there could be increased demand for car parking spaces from September 2010 onwards.

"We regularly liaise with the local community to find solutions to any issues that arise due to car parking and this planning application could help minimise the effect on public car parking in the surrounding area.
"UWIC continues to take a pro-active approach to playing its part in easing traffic congestion in Llandaff and has launched a series of initiatives to encourage staff and students to use alternative ways to travel to the campus, including; the UWIC Rider bus pass scheme which is one of the most successful of its kind in Wales, the 'Bike-to-UWIC' campaign and a popular car-sharing scheme – all key elements of UWIC's Green Travel plan which has been fully endorsed by Cardiff Council."

What do you think of this planning application? Is Cardiff slowly losing its green spaces? Leave your comments below.