Success: WAG refuses permission for Castle Lift: significant detrimental impact

Today (11th November) the Welsh Assembly Government turned down a Listed Buildings Application by Cardiff Council  to build a staircase that would have obscured historic windows, affect wall masonry, and - far from helping disabled access - could have posed safety threats to people visiting the Castle.

Cadw’s Principal Architect who gave advice said: “In my view the proposal will have a significant detrimental impact on the interior of one of the most historically and architecturally important grade one listed buildings in Wales.” The Planners at WAG agreed.

You can read the very informative and important letter to the council here Cardiff Castle lift.pdf

Cardiff Civic Society supports objections to ‘portacabins’ and asked for application to be Called In

A letter from Cardiff Civic Society to the Council and WAG crossed in the email post with WAG’s decision about the lift. It lends considerable weight to the objections regarding the retrospective application to keep the portacabins. Importantly, it asks for the Planning department at WAG - yes, the people who turned down the staircase - to Call In the Planning application. CCS give two main reasons: the fact that the Council is trying to give itself permission to continue breaking the law, and secondly the importance of the Castle.

Their letter is here. CCS Objections CCC at Castle.pdf

Attention turns to Bute Castle

Cardiff Council is now trying to push through RETROSPECTIVE planning consent for Portacabins it should have removed a year ago. As usual, time is short to object. Please download a petition form here

Most people will be familiar with the ticket office and shop beside the main entrance to Cardiff Castle on Duke Street.

What you may not realise is that these are temporary structures which were only given planning permission while the new visitor centre was constructed inside the castle. They were supposed to be demolished as soon as the new centre was constructed as they damage the appearance of the castle front.

Yet the council has refused to enforce its own planning condition and CADW which is responsible for protecting the Welsh heritage appears unable to protect one of the key buildings in the city centre. This seems to be yet another example of Council officers showing contempt for the planning process and failing to protect Cardiff's heritage.

Please help us object to the Council's attempt to maintain these temporary structures write quoting 09/01744/C to  Development Control, City Hall, Cardiff CF10 3ND

or email developmentcontrol@cardiff.gov.uk by 10th November!

 

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Desperate Council meeting rejects Moratorium

A quick update on the Council Meeting that rejected (thanks to LibDem/Plaid block voting) a moratorium for the Bute Parks - or even the more gentle 'pause' proposed by the Council's own Scrutiny Committee on the parks. These pages will be updated as quickly as possible, but for now:

The Council Motions and what happened

Video online of the meeting

You can see the effect that development has had on the parks on this new page here. You can download a StopThinkA4 web-email.pdf of what we presented to councillors as well. Come back later for more news, more campaigning material to download, details of the legal challenge being mounted by BPA.

Donate online!

BPA needs your money! And it needs it now!

We need money for:

1. •Publicity materials - we're about to undertake a massive leafleting campaign to inform people of the facts about the council's plans. We need £500 for the printing bill - that's just £5 from 100 supporters
   

2. •We need money to contribute to the cost of pursuing the legal challenge against Cardiff Council - more details here soon. In the meantime time help us raise the £2,000 that BPA will have to commit as its contribution (even though some money will come from public funds).
   

We have already received some very generous donations. We need lots more, and quickly. Either send a cheque to BPA 152 Cathedral Road Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9JB or use the Paypal button alongside to donate online. Either way, please do it now. Thanks.

Read about Beryl

She's almost been adopted by the BPA! read about her protest here.

The Bute Parks Alliance has launched its petition to safeguard the future of the historic parks of central Cardiff. You can download the petition here. Information on what to do with the forms is also there now.

Read the latest supporters' email here

Join the Bute Parks Alliance - go to this page now!

The new Members’ website is up and running here you are welcome to explore it - you have to register to get full access (and we'd like you to join BPA too!).

To contact us email info@buteparksalliance.org

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