‘Pub’ fears over bid to extend cafe open hours
PLANS for one of Cardiff’s most popular parks will cause “irreversible” damage according to concerned residents.
A number of residents living near Roath Park have raised concerns over plans for the cafe inside the park to remain open later and to continue keeping the area unlocked.
A letter has been sent to houses in the area by those against the plans claiming it would turn the Terra Nova Cafe into a “night-time pub”.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, the park has not been locked during the night. Yesterday, Cardiff council said that with lockdown restrictions still in place, there are no current plans to return to locking Roath Park.
A letter seen by the Echo has been sent to houses in the area by a group of concerned residents.
It stated: “In combination these two developments are a serious threat to the very nature of the park and the amenity of our neighbourhood.
“The cafe would effectively become a night-time pub with no dedicated car park and customers free to remain in the park as long as they like after the 11pm closing time.”
The letter calls on people to make objections to the plans by citing concerns about preventing crime and disorder and public safety.
It added: “Should such changes be allowed we risk having a completely new and irreversible dynamic to our beautiful park.”
A licencing application dated February 2 from the cafe asks for permission to sell alcohol between midday and 11pm seven days a week.
Cyncoed councillor Robert Hopkins said that a number of residents have been “very active” following news of the plans and that he plans to submit representations in response to the licencing application.
He said: “Residents have been complaining about things like increases in litter in the park, and they are mainly concerned about the impact on some of the gated areas.
“They’ve got some evidence at the moment to suggest littering has increased. We have had some reports of anti-social behaviour and some of that has been reported to the police.
“When residents are seeing things like that then they’re obviously concerned about what the implications might be for the longer term really.”
A council spokesman said: “Increased access to Cardiff’s parks has been important for the mental and physical wellbeing of many residents over the past year and, with lockdown restrictions still in place, there are no current plans to return to locking Roath Park at night.
“This policy is being kept under review and we continue to liaise with South Wales Police to ensure that the local community is being well-served by the park remaining open.
“All decisions made by the licencing committee on applications for alcohol licences are taken in conjunction with the emergency services, and are made with a view to ensuring the prevention of crime and disorder, the promotion of public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
“Residents wishing to express a view on this application are able to make representations to the licencing committee by emailing licencing@cardiff. gov.uk “
Terra Nova Cafe said it did not wish to comment while the application is being processed.