Go-ahead for newVelindre centre

VELINDRE’S controversial new cancer centre was last night given an unanimous goahead by councillors.

While there have been indicative plans for the design of the building, last night’s approval was for outline permission. That means the principle of development was approved along with access for the site.

There have been hundreds of objections to the scheme – residents feared it will cause traffic problems in Whitchurch and adversely harm wildlife.

The new site will contain 42 beds and will mainly be in use on weekdays. There will be no surgery at the hospital but services including radiotherapy; chemotherapy; pharmacy; inpatient beds; outpatients’ services; support services; and imaging with a conference centre facility and a Centre for Learning, Research and Development.

Mark Farrar, speaking on behalf of the developers said that the location was selected by the trust and this “centrally located” site will be convenient for patients who travel from across south Wales. He says they will access it via Coryton “completely avoiding Whitchurch”.

Whitchurch resident John Duff said that a new bridge planned for access to the site will be “one of the biggest in the city”.

“This 100m bridge will be one of the biggest in Cardiff. It’s proposed to be built on a nature reserve. 186 trees will be knocked down for the bridges. They’re going to be lost forever. If you build on 40% of this grassland, it’s gone forever. Nothing will bring that back.”

He told planning committee only 25% of users will come from Cardiff so he doesn’t understand how the trust can say it will suit all patients.“It’s a piecemeal proposal,” he says.

Steve Ham, Chief Executive of Velindre NHS Trust said: “The approval of our outline planning application is a significant milestone for the population we serve across South East Wales.

“Although it has served us and our patients well for more than 60 years; our current Cancer Centre is no longer fit for purpose.”