Royal Mail fears over Cardiff flats
PLANS for five-storey affordable flats in Canton could threaten the survival of a Royal Mail delivery office, the company has warned.
Pegasus Developments wants to build a block of 23 one- and two-bedroom affordable flats in Cowbridge Road East in Canton.
But the Royal Mail had raised concerns it would cause “significant disruption and operational difficulties” to its adjoining delivery office, as it would lose 26 parking spaces.
It is feared the development, which would involve knocking down a former car showroom, would lead to Royal Mail vehicles being forced to park in residential streets.
The development could “significantly impact on the ongoing operation of the delivery office and it could result in closure if there isn’t continuity of sufficient parking at both construction and operational phases,” the Royal Mail has told Cardiff Council.
Royal Mail says it is seeking permission for temporary parking on a nearby vacant site. It is understood the land has been earmarked for a future development of a metro station.
The statement says: “Whilst Royal Mail has no objection to the principle of the proposed development, the local planning authority is urged to consider the potential impacts on the operation of the delivery office, an essential service to the local resident and business community.”
A decision on the plans has been put on hold after Natural Resources Wales put forward “significant concerns” that the development would be unable to cope with flooding, especially at its cycle parking and bin store.
A petition of 52 residents objecting to the plans also cites concerns over parking. Ward councillors Stephen Cunnah, Susan Elsmore, and Ramesh Patel also objected to the application.
The application originally proposed the 15 car-parking spaces would be used by the adjoining Royal Mail building, but this has now been revised and the spaces would be available to residents.
Cardiff Council’s planning committee voted yesterday to defer the application so the authority can discuss with NRW how it can resolve the flooding issues. The application is likely to be considered again in June.
Pegasus has said Royal Mail’s longterm commitment to the Cowbridge Road Delivery Office site “must be questioned” because it chose not to buy the site when it had the opportunity and did not reach agreement with Pegasus on a revised lease.
A statement on behalf of Pegasus to the council says: “Royal Mail will no longer be taking a lease on the groundfloor parking area and the 15 spaces provided will now be for the use of residents of the apartments... Royal Mail had the opportunity to purchase the application site when it came to market in 2016 but chose not to, preferring to continue as a tenant on the site, in full knowledge of the break clause in the lease in 2018, which either party could exercise.
“Pegasus have now exercised that right and terminated the lease, which they are fully within their legal rights to do so. There is no obligation for Pegasus to continue to allow Royal Mail to park on the site.”