D-day for cancer hospital bid

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new cancer hospital in a Cardiff suburb will go before planners next week.

Velindre wants to build a new stateof-the-art facility on land north-west of Whitchurch Playing Fields.

The plans have split the community, with some saying the location is wrong. Others say it is a vital facility.

There have been a large number of comments and objections, but planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.

The new centre would have 42 beds, conference and research centres and a Maggie’s Centre – which caters for the non-clinical side of cancer treatment – as well as car parking.

This application is for outline permission, covering the principle of the development and access. There will be further future applications for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping if it gets through the first stage.

Patients would access radiotherapy, chemotherapy, pharmacy, inpatient beds, outpatients’ services, support services at the centre.

The main access would be via the existing roundabout on Longwood Drive, which would be upgraded.

A new road, across the disused railway cutting, would be created. A footpath and bike lane would be included.

There would also be emergency access through Hollybush Estate.

The plans state that 698 patients would visit the centre daily in 2022 with 978 staff, with patients rising to 801 in 2032 and staff to 1,041.

There is still a “significant level of uncertainty” about the impact of the development on trees, with a potential for 143 trees to be lost.

The transport officer accepts there will be a large number of car journeys and specialist staff will be travelling from a distance away.

There would be 755 parking spaces in dedicated car parks, but also 12 spaces at the Maggie’s Centre and six transport spaces and on-site motorcycle parking.

A condition will be put in place to ensure 283 spaces are reserved for patients.

There have been 187 letters received, with 181 being objections. An online petition of 698 names has been put forward against the plans.

Concerns are about the impact on the environment, “unacceptable overdevelopment”, road safety, parking concerns and the impact on residents at Hollybush Estate. Others have also asked if there is another suitable site that could be looked at.

Planning officers say they find that the application should be approved.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday.