South Wales Echo

Council’s promise never to build on 11 parks in the capital

- TAITE JOHNSON taite.johnson@walesonlin­e.co.uk

PARKS throughout Cardiff could be safe from future developmen­t if council proposals are agreed. Eleven parks throughout the city have been chosen to be protected, subject to agreement by Cardiff Council cabinet and the results of a public consultati­on.

Cardiff Council are proposing to enter a legal agreement known as “deed of dedication” with UK charity Fields In Trust (FIT). FIT are the only charity in the UK working to protect parks and green spaces to ensure that they cannot be sold for developmen­t.

There are currently 10 green spaces owned by Cardiff Council that are permenantl­y protected by the charity.

They are: Alexandra Gardens, Grange Gardens, Heath Park, Hywel Dda Open Space, Llanishen Park, Moorland Park, Pontcanna Fields, Pontprenna­u Fields, Roath Recreation Ground and Rumney Recreation Ground. Creigau Recreation Ground and Old St Mellons Playing Field are also protected but managed by local community councils.

While the parks would be protected from being sold for developmen­t, Cardiff Council would be able to make changes to the park if they encouraged outdoor leisure and recreation.

There is however one exception to that rule, which would be developmen­t under statutory powers. A limited number of organisati­ons, such as utility companies and rail networks have statutory developmen­t rights that override the rights of landowners, which in this case would be the council.

The 11 green spaces were chosen by Cardiff Council based on a number of criteria including areas of the city with the lowest level of available green space, higher levels of poverty and that do not already have protected sites and open spaces designed for play, sport and active recreation.

FIT also have criteria that needs to be met in order for them to sign the agreement which includes the council having

Reporter ownership of the space, the space measuring at least 0.2 hectares in size, the area having some form of permanent public access and that it can be used for informal physical activity and recreation, or formal sport.

The 11 parks include:

■ Cemetery Park – Adamsdown

■ Trelai Park – Caerau

■ Sanatorium Park – Canton

■ Rhydypenau Park – Cyncoed

■ Fairwater Park – Fairwater

■ Hailey Park – Llandaff North

■ Parc Waun Fach – Pentwyn

■ Westfield Park – Pentyrch & St Fagans ■ Heol Llanishen Fach – Rhiwbina

■ Caerleon Park – Trowbridge

■ Craiglee Drive – Butetown

This does not mean that parks not included in this list will be developed on, just that they were not classed as higher priority for protection.

If agreed by the council cabinet this month, a six-week public consultati­on will take place, starting in June, to get feedback from residents of Cardiff on the proposal.

Council leader councillor Huw Thomas, said: “Cardiff wouldn’t be Cardiff without its parks and green spaces they’re vital places for play and social wellbeing, they connect us with the nature on our doorsteps, support ~biodiversi­ty, improve the quality of the air we all breathe and can help mitigate some of the worst effects of climate change.”

“Entering into this agreement with Fields In Trust will more than double the number of Cardiff’s parks which are permanentl­y and legally protected from developmen­t, ensuring they will continue to benefit generation­s to come and mean that 254,000 residents – 69% of the population – live within a 10 minute walk of a protected green space.”

 ?? ?? Hailey Park in Llandaff North is among the spaces chosen to be protected
Hailey Park in Llandaff North is among the spaces chosen to be protected

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