Plan for floodlit 3G sports pitch gets approval
PLANS for a new sports pitch have been approved for Butetown’s Canal Park, behind Cardiff and Vale College.
The college now has permission to build a 3G pitch with floodlights, seats for spectators and changing rooms, after Cardiff council’s planning committee voted to approve permission last week.
The new pitch will be the latest development in the major regeneration of the wider Dumballs Road area, which will see hundreds of new houses and flats built. The college itself opened its £45m main campus there in 2015.
The plans were supported by local ward Councillor Saeed Ebrahim, who said: “The new 3G pitch is in the heart of Butetown. Development of the existing football pitch is long overdue, and will greatly benefit the local community.
“The new pitch will encourage more people in Butetown to appreciate the benefits of improved physical health and mental wellbeing that participating in sports generates.
“The new pitch, changing rooms, and proposed multi-use games area will also support Butetown’s primary school, local sports teams and the wider community.”
Floodlighting was one concern raised by councillors on the planning committee. However, only one member of the public commented on the planning application, and they were in support of the new sports pitch.
Cllr Iona Gordon questioned the public consultation carried out. She said: “It looks a great facility and I’m sure it will be very well used and appreciated by the Butetown community. But my concern is around the consultation done with the neighbours. I know from previous applications that people who live near to floodlit pitches do have huge concerns about the impact of the floodlighting. I’m surprised there was only one resident who has commented on the scheme.”
The pitch will be built on part of Canal Park. The park used to be part of the Glamorganshire canal running through Cardiff, which was filled in during the first half of the 20th century.
Cllr Parry said reopening the canal could be considered in the future.
He said: “The canal was filled in by our forebears, which is a great pity, because if the canal still existed - and ran all the way up the river Taff towards Tongwynlais, down along the castle, through the town and down to Butetown - it would be a great asset to the area.”