Llandaff North Focus Team Keeps Fighting

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 18th Jul 2010

The Focus Team in Llandaff North is keeping you up to date on the progress with the planning application affecting the old Natwest bank site (no. 143) on Station Road.

The Response

Approximately two-thirds of respondents to our street letter do not want to see a large development on the site. The remaining third, generally, will only support the application if the parking and delivery bay issues are resolved first.

To better reflect the concerns of residents, Cllrs Ann Rowland-James and Jacqui Hooper have drawn up a petition and are circulating it amongst residents. Because of the strength of feeling, the Focus Team has been supported by many residents collecting signatures along their own streets. We have already achieved the magic 50 signatories necessary to really demonstrate to the Planning Committee that the majority of residents do not want a large development on our doorstep.

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, etc

David Coggins Cogan pointed out at the public meeting in June, the developer has not mentioned any retails names interested in the site. However, the last application was marked with a reference to Tesco, so it is probable that Tesco are behind this new application. However, as the Focus Team has received no confirmation, we will not mislead you and say that it definitely is Tesco. Any literature purporting to say otherwise is incorrect and reckless.

The worrying service bay would mean large delivery lorries would be reversing across Evansfield Road.

We have provided a drawing of the application on showing the basis for residents' concerns.

The diagram above is a scale representation of the proposed development and how it will affect the surrounding area. There are a number of issues to take into account when viewing this development:

• The service bay is located opposite the old Post Office and Cumines Vets. Delivery lorries using this service bay will have to reverse in, making several manoeuvres in the process.

• The extension builds on the existing forecourt. The forecourt currently provides parking for several cars. This development would result in fewer parking spaces whilst attracting more cars to the area, all needing to park.

• The Developer cites parking being available in the Llandaff railway station car park and the Railway Inn car park. Both areas are private car parks and are for the use of their patrons only.

• The junction is already hazardous, especially at peak times with commuters entering/exiting the railway station, pupils walking to/from school and general traffic congestion. On top of this, heavy goods vehicles will be reversing across Evansfield Rd into a narrow service bay.

The Focus Team supports responsible development of the area. However, these plans are reckless and would create unnecessary hazards in the area.