Wildlife concerns raised as cancer centre planned
CONCERNS have been raised over plans for a new cancer centre in Cardiff. Plans were unveiled this week for a new facility to be built on land to the north of Whitchurch Hospital’s 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, known as Whitchurch Meadow.
More than 150 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 submitted.
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. The “Protect Whitchurch Meadow and stop the over-development by Velindre NHS Trust” petition reads: “Please decline the planning application by Velindre NHS Trust... 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 on local wildlife.
The planning statement says no surgical treatment would be undertaken at the centre. Services provided would include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, pharmacy, inpatient beds, outpatient 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 southeast 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.
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.”
He said they were very conscious of the importance the Meadows area holds for the local community and those further afield.