Garden Grabbing Cardiff

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Garden Grabbing boom
2008-05-28 16:28:00
Garden-grabbing boom: Number of homes built on gardens doubles in ...The number of gardens concreted over to make way for houses and flats has soared under Labour, it emerged yesterday. More than 22 per cent of new homes are ...Any figures for Wales?
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Public Inquiry into Western Powers 4th application!
2008-05-19 12:18:00
Cardiff City Council has won its case against Western Power's challenge in the County Court to terminate its tenancy of Lanishen Reservoir. "The Council is now entitiled to a new lease of the site," and Cardiff's high quality Sailing Centre can remain open.Public Inquiry again -The Public Inquiry into Western Power's Fourth Planning Application will be held in Committee Rooms 3 and 4 of County Hall, Cardiff Bay from Monday to Friday each week between the hours of 10.00am to 5.00 pm. The Inspector, Mr. Richard Potterton, will open the Inquiry at 10.00am on Wednesday 28h May 2008 and it is expected to last for 12 days. The first three days will be concerned with procedural matters and the opening addresses of Counsels on behalf of the Applicant, the County Council and the Reservoir Action Group. The Council will present its case and call its witnesses.On Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June RAG's case will be presented and its witnesses will give their evidence. On Wednesday 4th Ju...
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Council Secrecy over Bute Park Road fiasco!
2008-04-25 12:15:00
Info Request - Bute Park New Access etc. Appln 07/02649/CJeff Salmon, Group Leader (Strategic Services)Dear Mr Salmon, Representation under Reg.11(1) of the EIR 2004-------------------------------Thank you for your e-reply of 2nd April. It appears you have failed to comply with the requirement of these Regulations for disclosure of information. As you say, the planning officer's report was prepared and e-mailed to the Council 's committee services division by 2pm on the 12th March inpreparation for printing / distribution.Later that day, a meeting was called on the initiative of the Council's Chief Executive to "review the report", which led to it being withdrawn from the Agenda by the Chief Strategic Planning and Environment Officer, prior to its publication, "in order that the applicant be allowed to respond to Cadw's comments". As you have not supplied a written request from the applicant to that effect [nor claimed exemption under Reg.12(4)(e)], I presume the withdrawal req...
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Pantmawr saved!
2008-04-17 18:43:00
A great result - the planning committee saw sense and rejected the application. http://www.savepantmawr.org/ Time for a change in council policy so the destruction of community facilities is not considered again.

Heol Briwnant Garden Grabbing environmental disaster
2008-03-31 18:36:00
More garden grabbing in Rhiwbina .....more profiteering developers ..CARDIFF COUNTY COUNCILPLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR WEEK ENDING 13th MARCH 200808/00585/W Full Planning Permission Expected Decision Level: DELWard: RHIWBINA Received: 05/03/2008Case Officer: Hayley WilliamsApplicant: Mr. Gunn, c/o Agent, ,Agents: DTB Design, D Thomas, 286 North Road, Cardiff, , CF14 3BNProposal: Erection of attached house 18 Heol Briwnant, Rhiwbina, CardiffBid to prevent ‘house in a garden’ plan MORE than 70 people have signed a petition against plans to build a house in a suburban garden.moreMORE than 70 people have signed a petition against plans to build a house in a suburban garden.They have launched a campaign against proposals for a home in the garden at 18 Heol Briwnant, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. It is among the latest in a string of controversial plans for new developments to be labelled as “garden grabbing”.View Larger MapNeighbour Bernadette Wilson, 74, said: “It’s going to look awful a...
More About: Garden , Environmental , Disaster

Garden protection legislation mooted
2008-03-27 22:03:00
Garden protection legislation mooted »Caroline Spelman MP, a backbench Conservative MP, has won parliamentary approval for a Bill designed to give planning authorities a specific power to protect gardens from being redeveloped for housing. Spelman promoted a similar Bill during the previous parliamentary session but it was opposed by the Government and "talked out".As last time Spelman's proposed legislation has all-party support. She told the Commons: "I am once again asking for simple provision to be made in planning law so that councils can, where they feel it is appropriate, protect gardens from being built on."She added: "the logic for developers is that garden sites tend to be in areas of higher real-estate value. The end result is that two-bed roomed flats are created at a price that is beyond the pocket of first-time buyers. Also, small developments built in back gardens frequently fall below the threshold for providing affordable homes. The preference for blocks of flats...
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Keep the Pantmawr community alive! Hands off pantmawr Inn!!
2008-03-27 12:33:00
A Welsh Assembly spokesman confirmed the development. Pub is the Hub has submitted a draft plan to the Assembly suggesting how it can help pubs diversify and offer new income streams. This follows a year-long study by a 17-strong regional Pub is the Hub advisory group, chaired by SA Brains chief executive Scott Waddington. It includes other pub company bosses and Elin Jones, Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs.The draft plan, Rural Pubs and Services Strategy for Wales, suggests how different projects should be supported in different Welsh regions. It urges against pubs being hit by big business rate hikes for adding vital new services. Pub is the Hub may help Welsh regions Last Updated: 27/03/2008 05:53 The Welsh Assembly Government is considering plans to support Pub is the Hub 27/03/2008 05:53 written by: John Harrington here The Welsh Assembly Government is considering plans to support the Prince Charles-backed scheme that helps regenerate rural pubs. The ultimate aim is to secu...
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we want the Pantmawr Inn not flats!
2008-03-27 09:41:00
DON'T MISS Unwanted flats legacy of buy-to-let boomThe buy-to-let boom filled towns across Britain with luxury new-build flats - many now sit empty. So can the market recover?- Take the buy-to-let test- Is buy-to-let on the brink of collapse?Hundreds of flats are empty in Cardiff. Do we really want more?
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Bute Park - Cadw Objections to SCALE of bridge
2008-03-25 12:01:00
Cardiff council using the excuse of the "late" objection from CADW which they knew was coming. Cadw - what do they say?"I can advise that although the proposal for Bute Park has seen some changes since it was first submitted for our comments, Cadw still remains very concerned at the scale of the proposed bridge and has set these concerns out in detail to planning officers. "Mrs Lisa Roberts-Clarke Rheolwr Henebyn / Monuments ManagerYes the bridge is too big! Is that all? Cadw is there to protect our heritage and funded by us!
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Garden-grab homes environmental disaster
2008-03-25 11:59:00
Garden-grab homes an environmental disaster This is Money - A new call for laws to block 'garden-grabbing' has branded backyard developments an environmental disaster. Predictions of buy-to-let's demise continue but ...How to fight back against developersStop the garden grabbers call from angry residentsRichmond and Twickenham Times - UKBy Ian Mason Garden grabbing developers are finding themselves facing growing swarms of furious residents as the trend for building on green land continues. ...
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Profiteering Developers in Erw Wen!
2008-03-23 12:10:00
Calling themselves "period developments ltd " profiteering developers are busy in Erw Wen with an application to build a bungalow in the garden of the end terrace house!!!The only access is through the gate of the existing end terrace property. However they are at work already. Is this allowed? CAN WE RELY ON CARDIFF COUNCIL to turn this down....don't think so given so many recent decisions in favour of profiteering developers in Rhiwbina and all over the city.You might well ask what vision the ruling councillors have for the city and your neighbourhood! Have a look at the pictures and the street has only room for parking on one side to allow for traffic to go down and the turning circle is very small, and difficult to manoeuvre.RHIWBINA 08/00356/WFull Planning Permission Expected Decision Level:DELReceived: 12/02/2008Case Officer:Justin JonesApplicant:Cardiff Period Development Ltd, c/o Agent,Lewis Webb Associates, 24 Mill Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, , CF14 0XBProposal: ERECT BUNGAL...
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Profiteering Developers demolish 23 Beulah Road
2008-03-23 11:39:00
Battles lost - 23 Beulah Road - Gone forever ....and the character of Beulah Road, next to a conservation area, eroded again by profiteering developers with the blessing of the council planning committee. The community says NO but the Council says YES! What the community said in protest! "The line of the building and the style will be so disruptive, the character and ambiance of the neighbourhood will be lost forever."We must fight this trend, otherwise the character of Beulah Road will be ruined as more and more developers buy up bungalows, demolish them and replace them with overpriced buildings that are squeezed into their plots. Unless we are prepared to challenge this behaviour the Council will assume that we are all perfectly content to see opportunistic builders destroy attractive and traditional buildings for a quick buck. It is important that the community has a voice and that we use it!"I think this current trend in Cardiff by developers of knocking down perfectly good old...
More About: Developers

RAG’s Letter Writing Campaign to the Inspector is Re-launched
2008-03-20 16:55:00
Ted ThurgoodChairman RAG. "A short while back I emailed you to say that RAG’s letter writing campaign to the Inspector of the Public Inquiry into Western Power’s Fourth planning application has hit the buffers as the Case Officer at the Inspectorate has made an unusually strict interpretation of the rules governing Public Inquiries and was refusing to accept emails or letters to the Inspector from the public and was returning them to their authors. We have now spoken to the Inspector on this matter and he has said that he is willing to accept letters from local people until 15th April 2008 at the latest. We are therefore re-launching our letter writing campaign to the Inspector and strongly urge you to write or email him without delay. I copy below for your convenience the briefing note we had prepared earlier which is still relevant."RAG’s Brief for Letter Writers to the InspectorOpposing Western Power’s Fourth Planning Application Western Power’s Fourth Planning Applic...
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Bute Park
2008-03-20 16:08:00
There has been work work done -digging on that site since I last took pictures! There is a very steep drop down from the road now! They must stop working on it.I took pictures of some of the trees marked with an X which usually means they are to be chopped down!This Plus the 3 in the picture below. See the web album for more pictures.There was a notice on the door of planning meeting at city Hall to say that Bute Park wasn't on the agenda yesterday 19th March. They haven't withdrawn the plans, they just withdrew the proposal at the planning meeting this month. The plans have not gone away. We should use this extra time to get as much support as possible so there is a clear message being sent to the council.Sign the petition as the dates have been extended as there is morre time to collect signatures and to send emails/letters to Julian Stedman and Richard ColeJENNY RANDERSON Thank you for your e-mail and for drawing this application to my attention.Both myself and the local Counci...

Council withdraws Bute Park massacre plans
2008-03-18 17:26:00
I am told that Cardiff Council has withdrawn the plans for the bridge and road in Bute Park to "allow further consideration of proposals"!I hope they are going to restore the damaged area of park to its former glory!Friends of Bute Park say to Cardiff Council ...We will be watching you !!
More About: Plans , Massacre

Covenants on Bute Park, Cadw. HLF. RHS
2008-03-18 14:30:00
Q. Is the choice of site due less to rational & practical considerations than to avoiding taking on board possible opposition on the grounds of covenants which only cover a Southern section.More Questions for the planning committee Q. Are the current proposals “disproportionate”; in particular the idea that access should be provided for articulated lorries to service the nursery was seen as wholly unnecessary.Q. Are the Council heeding CADW's advice?Q. Has the heritage lottery fund been made aware that CADWs advice has been ignored?Q. Would tinkering at the current scheme which may be proposed tomorrow) be acceptable to HLF or RHS?Q. Would HLF or RHS feel like us that CADW’s advice would need to be taken on board at a deeper level?Q. Would an engineer designed concrete bridge be acceptable to anyone or organisation? What standard of design would be required in a Grade 1 listed park, &/or a historic place that was to be funded by an HLF grantQ. What does HLF and ...
More About: Park , Bute

500 plus Empty Flats in Cardiff - do we need more?
2008-03-18 12:22:00
Do we need more flats in Cardiff ? Council Officers recommend that the Pantmawr Inn be demolished and more flats 'built'..crammed into a small space in an estate which will now have the only amenity taken away!Q. How many empty flats in Cardiff?A. 500 plus - and empty for 6 months at least (estimated figure from the private sector housing department of Cardiff Council ) Nov 2007 figures.Many new apartments are not identifiable as flats as there is no way to distinguish them from houses! There are also 3,200 empty houses and shops.Q. Do the owners of empty property pay council tax?A. No, I am not certain, but I believe they don't have to for 6 months and then they pay 50% Too many flats and not enough amenities say experts so why are we knocking down pubs to build more flats???Q. Councillors - What is your vision for Cardiff?A. concrete deserts with flats in communities with no amenities within walking distance or green areas trapping elderly, disabled people and children in the...
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Oh Yeah...is it the 1st April already!
2008-03-17 18:15:00
Q.Will the Council or 'applicant' make good the damage done to grade 1 listed Bute Park in Cathays conservation area before planning permission is given ? Will all work on the site now stop as there is no planning permission?A. As far as I am aware the work carried out was to do with parks management in respect of a diseased tree which required felling for safety reasons and other small trees needed to be felled to make room. However if you require firm information you need to contact Parks services.Regards Bobmailto:RDerbyshire@cardiff.gov.ukAs I said, best to contact the parks department, Planning Committee members have not been informed of any work.bob
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Cardiff Council Secret!!! Why did council 'pull' Bute Park planning applica
2008-03-17 15:13:00
Why the secrecy??? Tell us whats happening!!!Ask your councillor for a clear statement on why the application was pulled from the Agenda. The officers can't say if the "applicant" withdrew it, only senior officers, and that the senior officer in 'development control' decided to "pull" it from the Agenda - but the Cttee chair may still make a statement.Meantime, today's deadline for objecting to the amended plan will be treated loosely. They can't say how many objections received!Write to Cllrs...Contact your Council lors, MP, MEPs, or Welsh AMs for free hereand to the planning committee..cpearcy@cardiff.gov.uk, cathy@btinternet.com,gharris@cardiff.gov. uk, gbird@cardiff.gov.uk, rderbyshire@cardiff.gov.uk, rcook@cardiff.gov.uk,JParry@cardiff.gov.u k, arobson@cardiff.gov.uk, mislam@cardiff.gov.uk,Remind your councillor that the Petition can be found more than 1,348 signatures!!!here http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Save-But e-Park or http://gardengrabbing.blogspot.com/
More About: Planning , Secret , Cardiff

New/amended plans for Bute Park???
2008-03-16 15:43:00
Adrian Robson writes I know that Jayne has mentioned to you about the application being withdrawn. Just to remind you (as I am responding to everyone else who has contacted me on this issue today!) that I cannot comment prior to the committee meeting should there be any amended or new application. Adrian Robson Independent Councillor for Rhiwbina and Pantmawr arobson@cardiff.gov.uk
More About: Plans , Park , Bute

Bute Park Masssacre ..Reasons for withdrawal?
2008-03-16 11:45:00
Max saysHas anyone else heard this? We need it confirmed by other Cllrs. Do enquire into the reason for withdrawing, which may have been technical or may have been some Lib-Dem Cllrs going against it. It is a victory, if withdrawal means they cannot now fund the bridge structures from 'surplus' in the 2007-8 budget. So thanks to all for helping with the pressure!Neil McEvoy "It's probably a delaying tactic before the election on May 1st. My advice is to vote Plaid for a councillor who will oppose this vandalism or make sure you know the views of candidates on this issue before May's elections and vote accordingly. My advice is not totally partisan, just issue based."Anne "The Green Party would never agree to a scheme like this."
More About: Park , Reasons , Bute , Withdrawal

Chainsaw massacre protest Bute Park
2008-03-12 18:09:00
No you can't come in here - its a building site? So who is breaking the law? There is NO planning permission for this work!Have you seen the destruction, on the pretence of taking down a diseased tree! I Hope you are appalled. Are the Council officers covering up this unlawful action BEFORE planning permission?Protest ers gathered today to protest against this Council sanctioned anti social behaviour! No planning permission has been granted for this ROAD 9 metres wide through the park!Does this look like managed tree felling? NO! ...And there are the contracotrs happily bringing big pieces of equipment on site to cause more damage to a site previously untouched for years in Cathays conservation area.Did this before nesting season! So as not to be delayed about considerations of wildlife as they have obliterated everything on site. Stop it now before there is more damage!
More About: Park , Massacre , Chainsaw , Bute

Bute Park - relocate the Business not the Trees
2008-03-11 16:37:00
The plans for the new roadway in Bute Park into the rear of the Nursery do not show the further trees they intend to demolish. But the attitude of the officials promoting the scheme on the 10 March site visit was appalling.Seven trees including memorial trees are to be "relocated" and others to be lopped to allow the lorries passage. But the plans don't show the trees that are to go, the practicalities of moving 30-foot trees and damage/failure is not considered, and the whole impact on this peaceful memorial area is ignored. They don't aim for minimal impact but want an over-wide 4-metre roadway and a big curve under the spreading oaks (lop the lower branches) to cut the corner.Surely time to tell them - if they can't run their business for supplying plants around the city with minimal impact, it's the business that has to be re-located, not the trees.Max WallisPlans at the City Hall, ref. 07/02649/Cobjections due by 17 March for Planning Cttee on 19 March.What is the carbon fo...
More About: Business , Trees

Save Bute Park from Cardiff Council
2008-03-11 13:37:00
Necessary Maintainance? = Vandalism?or Just getting ready for the unneccessary ROAD without planning permission? Are the council officers covering up for each other ?Planning officer did say investigations are still underway on what action to take (his objections were over-ridden), so do ask him - Richard Cole 2087 1668. .... you've seen the destruction, on the pretence of taking down a diseased tree. Hope you were appalled! Are the Council officers covering up this unlawful action ahead of planning permission. Will you support action against those responsible?The planning services have the duty of protecting other important trees and hedgerows. Although it is possible to make TPOs on any trees, in practice they are most commonly used in urban and semi-urban settings, for example gardens and parkland. A TPO is to protect trees for the public's enjoyment. It is made for the 'amenity' of the tree or woodland, and this can include its nature conservation value but more often means ...
More About: Park , Cardiff , Save , Bute

Desecration of Bute Park
2008-03-10 15:22:00
Planning committee and officers and protesters met today at Bute Park . It is a scandal that the council didn't wait to get planning permission before it started the chainsaw massacre. However, we were told that the devastion you can see in the pictures is part of PLANNED PARK MAINTAINANCE!!!...nothing to do with the application for a 9 metre wide road. Oh yeah!!!!A short scene filmed below pictures - where officers justify having a road so that articulated lorries that 'need' to go to the nursery can!!!Q Why do huge articulated lorries need a big road into the park knocking down tres and destroying the LISTED (conservation area!) park environment?A. To deliver bedding plants!!Q Why are we cutting down memorial trees and where are they?A Don't know where they are.Mr Frazer from Cardiiff Council is the person responsible for memorial trees. He doesn't know that any memorial trees are to be afffected. He does say that if that were the case they try and notify the person in adva...

20 Erw Wen has applied for a dormer bungalow to be built in the garden.
2008-03-10 10:54:00
Garden grabbing at 20 Erw Wen has applied for a dormer bungalow to be built in the garden.more info later as going to Bute Park to save the trees!View Larger Map
More About: Garden , In The Garden , Applied

Tree Massacre Bute Park
2008-03-02 12:00:00
Latest News - Monday 10th Mrch at 12 noon at tree-massacre siteThe Councillors' site visit is scheduled for 10 March at 12 noon and hearing at the Planning Committee on 19 March.The site visit protocol says it's not an opportunity to lobby Councillors, but "factual matters may be pointed out". If the public turn up in numbers, it helps emphasise the public interest.The Meeting point on 10 March is opposite the end of Corbett Roadwhere the fence is down and the line of trees has been ruptured. There's unresolved objection to the large verges of grasscrete (0.5m to 1.5m on the corners) as it's visually poor. Any alternative soil reinforcement to take large lorries must not damage tree roots.Second, they propose to "relocate" seven trees, including memorial trees at the side of the nursery and lop low branches of other overhanging trees, yet: two of the trees are semi-mature, some 40ft high, even if the others (20ft high) might be dug up and replanted (at some risk...
More About: Park , Massacre , Tree , Bute

Garden Grabbing increased riskes of flooding and London Major hustings
2008-02-19 19:41:00
Garden homes 'raise flood risk'BBC News - UKSir Michael Pitt, chairman of the independent inquiry, told BBC 5 Live the surge in garden developments - known as garden-grabbing - increased the risk of ...See all stories on this topic 02/08 - Fight for allotments is worthyGrantham Today - Grantham,England,UK... people who choose to live in the social environment of a town are forced through 'Garden Grabbing' to live more and more like battery chickens. ...See all stories on this topic First London Mayor hustings event focuses on environmentNewconsumer.com - London,England,UKHis vision include more vertical gardens and green roofs, and he accused Livingstone of ‘garden grabbing’ and cited that the capital has ‘lost gardens 22 ...See all stories on this topic Candidates lead off in "climate change elections"News Shopper - UKMayor Ken Livingstone said he too opposed garden grabbing and laid the blame with local planners. He also stressed the need to drive down C...
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Save the Pantmawr Inn
2008-02-11 11:13:00
Good news from Cllr Jayne Cowan .... Just a short note to advise that officials have confirmed that the Pantmawr Inn Application will not be heard by the planning committee in February 2008. Please continue to send in submissions, as the earliest date this could be heard now is Wednesday 19th March in the Ferrier Hall in City Hall. If we can be of any further assistance to you in this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. Jayne Cowan Independent Councillor/Cynghorydd Annibynnol Telephone/Ffôn 029 2062 7757 Fax/Ffacs 029 2087 7005 Mobile/Ffôn Symudol 079 7001 3332 E-Mail/E-bost jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk
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Concreting over Bute Park - new entrance from North Road, Cathays
2008-02-11 11:11:00
Proposal: NEW ACCESS, BRIDGE EMBANKMENTS, UPGRADED ACCESS ROUTES> AND LANDSCAPING>> Location: Land west of, North Road , Cathays, Cardiff>> Applicant: Cardiff County Council The new plans fail to show any moderation of the excessive scale of the design or any mitigation of the severe impact on this valued and valuable Park . The Plans still fail to give necessary detail. Nothing is said about consideration of alternatives, which appear to adequately meet the needs at lower cost and far less damaging impact. I therefore urge rejection of first, the loop to the Nursery, and second of the new Bridge and entrance.If not immediately rejected, I ask you to require the proposers to provide further informationon 1, considerations of a reduced scale entrance, bridge and roadways2. height bar to exclude high vehicles that would hit overhanging branches3. road and junction details at the Corbett Rd entrance, with description of its functioning as a new entrance to the ...
More About: Bute , Entrance