Local residents object to proposals for new cancer centre at ‘meadow’ site
CONCERNS have been raised over plans for a new cancer centre which could be built in north Cardiff.
Plans were this week unveiled for a new facility to be built on land to the north of Whitchurch Hospital playing fields.
The new hospital could be open in five years and have 1,000 members of staff.
While those behind the scheme say a replacement is needed for the existing cancer centre, residents have expressed concerns about the proposed location, which is known as Whitchurch Meadow.
But more than 100 people have signed an online petition calling for any planning application which is eventually submitted to be refused.
Plans have been released for consultation ahead of any formal planning permission being sumbmitted.
Velindre NHS Trust wants to submit an outline planning application to Cardiff council next month.
The new premises would include a specialist cancer treatment centre, a centre for learning, research and development facilities, temporary construction accesses, parking provision, an energy centre and paths.
The main access would be from Coryton interchange, with emergency access via the Hollybush Estate.
If planning permission is granted, the first patients could be seen at the new centre by September 2022. But the proposals have been met with some concern about overdevelopment, parking, traffic and concern for the Whitchurch Meadow.
So far 150 people have signed the “Protect Whitchurch Meadow and stop the over-development by Velindre NHS Trust” petition.
It reads: “Please decline the planning application by Velindre NHS Trust to build the new Velindre Cancer Centre on the land to the north of Whitchurch Hospital playing fields (commonly known as Whitchurch Meadow).
“The meadow is adjacent to Glamorganshire Canal Nature Reserve, part of which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with several trees being more than 200 years old.”
It says there would be a “substantial” impact to local wildlife.
Worries are also raised about congestion levels on local roads in Whitchurch.
It added: “Both the location and scale of this development are alarming and we ask for this to be urgently reconsidered.”
A planning statement about the scheme says no surgical treatment would be undertaken at the centre. Services provided would include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, pharmacy, inpatient beds, outpatients services, support services, and imaging.
The Transforming Cancer Services (TCS) in South East Wales programme is being run by Velindre NHS Trust, which provides cancer treatments which aren’t provided by a GP or local hospital across south east Wales.
A Maggie’s Centre is also proposed for the 14.5-hectare site – which would provide free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks.
The new facility would aim to make Velindre an international focal point for research and development, with an emphasis on expanding clinical trials.
A patient hub would be built at the centre, allowing them to register for appointments, wait for treatments and consultations, and access areas like multi-faith facilities, a cafe and restaurant.
The proposed site is designated as the Whitchurch Green Fields Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, designated for its grassland.
Some of the site is also part of the Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve, which surrounds the main site area on all boundaries except the southeast boundary towards Whitchurch Hospital.
The Glamorgan Canal/Long Wood SSSI is located southwest and northwest of the site, while nearby heritage designations include the Whitchurch Hospital Park and Garden and Coryton House Historic Park and Garden – which are both grade II-listed.
The planning documents state: “The new Velindre Cancer Centre extends the Velindre NHS Trust’s presence as the largest clinical oncology centres in Wales, and top 10 in the UK.
“It forms an important milestone in its wider initiative to improve cancer outcomes in South East Wales, known strategically as ‘Transforming Cancer Services.’ The quality of the surrounding landscape offers the potential for an architectural experience that is closely connected with the surrounding natural beauty.
“The proximity to existing nature reserves, flourishing meadows, and wildlife will be capitalised upon to enhance the health and wellbeing for staff, patients, and visitors alike.”
The applicant says that the existing Velindre facility cannot continue to meet the needs of patients and that a new premises is needed.
The planning statement adds: “It is considered then that, while it will clearly have inevitable environmental impacts, these will be reduced to acceptable levels through mitigation and enhancement.”
The document that says in terms of planning policy, environmental evaluation, the benefits of the location, and the “overwhelming wider health need for the project”, the scheme should be approved.
Carl James, Director of the Velindre Trust Transforming Cancer Service programme, said: “The current Velindre Cancer Centre has served cancer patients across South Wales exceptionally well for the past 60 years.
“However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue to provide the quality of services and new treatments expected by patients from the current facility due to its age (and) the many constraints that this causes.
“I am sure people will want us to develop the very best services for patients and provide world class care and facilities. The site at Whitchurch provides a unique opportunity to achieve all of these aims.
“It is easily accessible from the A470 and M4, reducing travel time for patients and families, and provides a peaceful and calming environment to assist patients during their treatment and rehabilitation with us.”
He said they were very conscious of the importance the Meadows area holds for the local community and those further afield.
“We have worked closely with the local Whitchurch community and the Friends of Forest Farm over the past 12 months in designing our proposals for the new Velindre Cancer Centre.
“This has assisted us greatly in better understanding the area and identifying how we can move forward effectively. The feedback we have received to date suggests that the local community supports the need for the new Velindre Cancer Centre and want to work with us to ensure we develop something we can all be proud of.
“The local community has also been clear in telling us that they would prefer the cancer centre to be built at the site