Flats plan meets with protest from residents

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Nov 2006

Cllr. Ed Bridges (in hat) campaigning with residents against the Mynachdy Road flats

A planning application to build a massive residential development on an old coal yard in Cardiff was met with stiff resistance at a site visit today.

Nearly thirty local residents and councillors in Mynachdy, Cardiff, held aloft large banners and wore badges urging Cardiff's Planning Committee to refuse permission for 73 residential units on the old coal yard behind Mynachdy Road.

Cllr. Ed Bridges, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for the area, told us: "The proposals are a huge over-development of the site. The number of people protesting against the plans showed just how much local residents are opposed to this development."

Valerie Phillips, who lives on Mynachdy Road, said: "The plans are simply ludicrous. After the council has spent so long discouraging motorists from driving down Mynachdy Road, it seems stupid that we could now have loads of extra traffic as a result of this development."

David Mouncher, also of Mynachdy Road, added: "The scale and nature of the development are totally out of keeping with the area. My biggest concern is that the proposed units are so close to the railway line - there could easily be an accident, especially with so many young children in the area."

The plans have also caused alarm because of potential increased traffic flows into north Mynachdy. Cllr. Ann Rowland-James, Lib Dem councillor for the area, said: "The proposed units would result in even more traffic going through Radyr Place because of the access road. The developers should go back to the drawing board and come up with a smaller set of proposals."

A final decision is expected at the Planning Committee's meeting on 15th November.