New Zealand Road flats - planning appeal

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 18th Oct 2009

Gabalfa Lib Dems, Cllr. Ed Bridges and John Dixon, have learned that developers are appealing over plans for 40 new flats on the corner of Whitchurch Road and New Zealand Road.

The Gabalfa Liberal Democrat Focus Team has learned that developers will be appealing the decision to refuse planning permission for new flats on the corner of New Zealand Road and Whitchurch Road.

Earlier this year, an application was refused by Cardiff Council's Planning Committee to demolish the existing block of six flats on the site and build a taller block of 40 flats with just 37 car parking spaces. This followed a petition from local residents led by local Lib Dem councillor, Ed Bridges.

Ed said: "The appeal is perhaps not unexpected, and we warned people at the time that it might be the course of action taken by the developer. Residents, however, are right to be concerned about this application and were right to object to plans to build this rather drab and cramped block of flats in place of the existing pretty and spacious flats. I continue to urge the developer to drop this application and reconsider their plans in light of local concern."

John Dixon, Lib Dem candidate for Cardiff North, added: "All residents want is a development which is sympathetic to the local surroundings and which meets local housing need. Knocking down a perfectly pleasant block of large family apartments and replacing it with yet more boxy, one and two-bed flats simply isn't appropriate. The developer must listen to local opinion."