Climate change has been described as ‘probably the greatest long-term challenge facing the human race’. Image by Quote Catalog In March 2019, Cardiff Council declared a climate emergency, and council leader, Huw Thomas, asserts that “the Council has recognised that Climate Change remains the defining global challenge of our generation” However, fine words are not … Continue reading Climate Change – The defining challenge for #Cardiff’s Replacement LDP
Author: Cardiff Civic Society
Cardiff Civic Society is a membership organisation and charity that aims to conserve, sustain and develop the natural and built environment of the city for the benefit of current and future generations.
It is a charity whose objects are improving the built and natural environment of the city. Its role is to provide information and support, research and debate and, where necessary, to lobby local authorities, government and private interests to ensure the achievement of its aims. It runs conferences, workshops, education events and acts as a catalyst for other organisations with similar objectives to exchange ideas and develop skills.
It also runs a programme of informal and social events for its members in buildings and places that demonstrate concern for the built environment.
Unless proper attempts to engage with people are made now, Cardiff’s population will sleep walk into a future that is not of their choosing.
Plea to Cllr Caro Wild to include public in the debate on the future of the city Coventry council's Democracy Challenge is an example of the kind of engagement Cardiff should do on its ten year plan for the ciy. Pic: Coventry council Cardiff Civic Society have written the following open letter to Cllr Caro … Continue reading Unless proper attempts to engage with people are made now, Cardiff’s population will sleep walk into a future that is not of their choosing.
The ten-year plan for Cardiff – NOW is the time to act!
Cardiff Council’s ten-year plan for the city – the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) - will shape the city we love irrevocably. We are also at the tipping point for issues such as the Climate Emergency and the Biodiversity Crisis. Cardiff Civic Society says that NOW is the time to act if we, the citizens, are to … Continue reading The ten-year plan for Cardiff – NOW is the time to act!
“Please complete this survey…”
Cardiff council's increasing use of surveys exacerbates the imbalance of power between citizens and decision-makers, with citizens’ views reduced to x% agreed and y% disagreed. "I love people power" image courtesy of the Sustainable Economies Law Centre By Tamsin Stirling How many times have you started a survey only to be confronted with questions that … Continue reading “Please complete this survey…”
Cardiff’s unsung public places
Rhymney Estuary. Pic: T. Stirling By Tamsin Stirling When Cardiff Civic Society asked on Twitter ‘what is your favourite unsung public space in Cardiff?’, the replies served as a reminder of the diversity of public spaces, that are loved and used by citizens across the city and which are a vital part of our quality … Continue reading Cardiff’s unsung public places
Why no face-to-face consultation on the ‘LDP’ (the ten year plan) for Cardiff?
Cardiff Council is reluctant to organise face to face sessions to listen to residents views on the next ten year plan. Graphic: Ron Mader Cardiff Council’s current consultation on their next 10 year plan (the Local Development Plan) is relying on online mechanisms which will exclude many citizens. There is appetite in a number of … Continue reading Why no face-to-face consultation on the ‘LDP’ (the ten year plan) for Cardiff?
Cardiff’s ten year plan
What it is - Why it matters - How to respond cardiffs-ldp-infographic-draft-3Download
Questions raised over city venues – Echo
St David's Hall. Pic: Walt Jabsco Martin Shipton, South Wales Echo, 15 June, 2021 This article was originally published in the South Wales Echo. Please support strong local journalism and buy a copy of your Echo regularly! A GROUP dedicated to preserving Cardiff’s heritage says it is worried that the city council held a top-level … Continue reading Questions raised over city venues – Echo
Everything you wanted to know about Cardiff’s replacement Local Development Plan
How to make your voice heard on the ten year plan for our city's future Blackweir bridge, Bute Park, Cardiff, pic: Jeremy Segrott Lyn Eynon from Cardiff Civic Society spoke to a packed public meeting on 8 June 2021 about the replacement local development plan (LDP). He said: We should all participate in the LDP … Continue reading Everything you wanted to know about Cardiff’s replacement Local Development Plan
Uncovered: Cardiff Council pledges NEVER to build on parks
Commitment from the ruling group would save Britannia Park children's playground from unwanted military museum "Please don't park your tanks on our children's playground!" Pic: Travis Despite it's bizarre plans to build a military museum on a children's playground and park in the deprived area of Butetown, Cardiff Civic Society can reveal that the council's … Continue reading Uncovered: Cardiff Council pledges NEVER to build on parks
“Let’s have our cake and eat it” – Cardiff Council on its planning committee
Altolusso, Cardiff with its controversial facade - courtesy of Cardiff's planning committee. Pic: Nick Cardiff Civic Society respond to Cardiff Council's misleading post on planning On 27 May, Cardiff Council posted a long Twitter post in defence of the Planning Committee. It is good to see Council engaging with citizens on planning. Some may even … Continue reading “Let’s have our cake and eat it” – Cardiff Council on its planning committee
Risk of confusion as council due to launch TWO huge consultations of the future of the city
'Greener, Fairer, Stronger' launch set to clash with the all important ten year local development plan (LDP) Cardiff Bay, Richard Szwejkowski Cardiff Civic Society has written an open letter to the leader and deputy leader of Cardiff Council. Dear Cllrs Thomas and MerryRE: CABINET MEETING PAPERS - 20th May 2021Cardiff Civic Society has noted the … Continue reading Risk of confusion as council due to launch TWO huge consultations of the future of the city
Good, but self-contradictory – our view on Cardiff’s recovery plan
Now is the time to make our voices heard to make our city one that is fit for current and future generations. We need action not vague promises. The Scott Monument, Roath Park, Cardiff. Pic: Richard Williams On 14 May, Cardiff Council released a report on creating a ‘Greener, Fairer and Stronger Cardiff’, which will … Continue reading Good, but self-contradictory – our view on Cardiff’s recovery plan
Concern at chair of planning’s potential conflict of interest
Chair of planning spoke for the cabinet in full council in favour policies on enforcing planning conditions and city development. County Hall, Cardiff pic: Geraint Rowland Nerys Lloyd Pierce, the chair of Cardiff Civic Society has written the following letter to Cllr Keith Jones, the chair of Cardiff's planning committee. Dear Cllr Jones, I am concerned … Continue reading Concern at chair of planning’s potential conflict of interest
Cardiff Civic Society calls for a free vote for powerful chair of planning
Letter to Cardiff's political leaders asks them to hold a free democratic vote for a post which is key to quality of life in the city Pic: OSCE Dear Councillor,I am writing to you as the leader of your political group or as an independent representative on Cardiff Council in order to ask you to … Continue reading Cardiff Civic Society calls for a free vote for powerful chair of planning
Cardiff Civic Society response to LDP Draft Delivery Agreement
1 INTRODUCTION Replacement Review We welcome Council’s recognition that a full Replacement Review is needed, given the extensive contextual changes since the adoption of the current LDP in January 2016. We want this to take a comprehensive view that will put the needs of the city’s residents and the welfare of future generations ahead of the demands … Continue reading Cardiff Civic Society response to LDP Draft Delivery Agreement
Decision could see more blocks of flats for city
None of the 432 apartments will be classed as “affordable” housing. This article first appeared in the South Wales Echo on April 16, 2016 ALEX SEABROOK South Wales Echo Local Democracy Reporter alex.seabrook@reachplc.com · Apr 16, 2021 TWO huge apartment blocks could be built in the heart of Cardiff – depending on a decision next week. Developers … Continue reading Decision could see more blocks of flats for city
Environmental justice in our city
Steel plant, near Splott, Cardiff. pic: Tamsin Stirling by Tamsin Stirling, Splott resident The other day I was playing around with a mapping app, drawing circles of various sizes centered on where we live in Splott as part of planning a photography project I’ve been thinking about. I then started moving the circle around the … Continue reading Environmental justice in our city
Potentially dangerous new buildings – the questions Cardiff Council must answer
Pic: 'Building boom' William Murphy Cardiff Civic Society are concerned to have it confirmed in the South Wales Echo (29 March 2021) that Cardiff council has not had a building control operational manager since at least September 2020. A spokesperson for the Council said Mr James Clemence, the head of planning is now responsible for … Continue reading Potentially dangerous new buildings – the questions Cardiff Council must answer
Cardiff council bid to attract Brexit museum to Bute Park
Image credit: Tim Reckman By: Bjorn Sharry, Business Reporter Cardiff council is the running to attract the proposed Brexit museum to the capital city. Papers to the Cardiff city council cabinet reveal that council officers favour Bute park as the ideal site. Len Foole, Cardiff’s head of capital projects said: “People might object to the … Continue reading Cardiff council bid to attract Brexit museum to Bute Park
Britannia Park playground – the facts
A child's drawing of Britannia Park, with Locky's Cottage in the foreground and the playground on the top right The playground at Britannia Park, near the Norwegian Church and Waterguard public house in Cardiff Bay is under threat. Plans to build a Museum of Military Medicine on Britannia Park will lead to the closure … Continue reading Britannia Park playground – the facts
EXCLUSIVE: Cardiff Council operating without an operational manager for building control since at least September 2020
Building control staff are responsible for protecting people from cowboy builders and unsafe practices Cardiff city centre from Penarth Moors, September 2020. Pic: Richard Szwejkowski Cardiff Council has operated without a head of building control since at least September 2020, according to the latest published organisational charts for the local authority. According to the Local … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Cardiff Council operating without an operational manager for building control since at least September 2020
‘Come clean on planned park sale’, say Bay residents
The Friends of Britannia Park have written a formal complaint to Cardiff Council about its controversial plans to sell a much loved children's park Cardiff County Hall (left) at sunset. Pic: Geraint Rowland The Friends of Britannia Park have written an official complaint to Cardiff Council. The complaint questions the council's claim that unelected official, … Continue reading ‘Come clean on planned park sale’, say Bay residents
Cardiff Civic Society launches its 2021 manifesto
The Pierhead building, part of the Senedd's estate. Pic: Dave Griffiths Cardiff Civic Society has launched an ambitious manifesto before the 2021 Senedd elections. cardiff-civic-soc-manifesto-2021Download Among the demands are the following: *Better protection of our green spaces – especially as Cardiff only has 8.04 per cent publicly available green space, compared to 15.38 in Birmingham. … Continue reading Cardiff Civic Society launches its 2021 manifesto
Channel View estate – residents’ concerns need to be addressed
The Marl, Cardiff. Photo: Jeremy Segrott Cardiff Civic Society has been approached by a number of concerned residents about the redevelopment of the Channel View estate. Their concerns include. *Loss of community. Some homes will be demolished and the occupants rehoused. However, there is no guarantee that they will be re-housed in Grangetown, nor that … Continue reading Channel View estate – residents’ concerns need to be addressed
Exclusive: CPS Homes’ tree felling contractors breached health and safety law at Suffolk House
One year on and Cllr Caro Wild still refuses to strengthen tree protections. Working in the dark, without proper lighting, CPS Homes' contractors attach a rope to tear down a 150 year old copper beech. Acorn tree services were subsequently issued with a notification of contravention by the Health and Safety Executive A year ago … Continue reading Exclusive: CPS Homes’ tree felling contractors breached health and safety law at Suffolk House
In memoriam: Suffolk House trees felled a year ago this week
The woeful catalogue of events leading to the felling of the trees at Suffolk House is a stain upon the local authority planning committee. Acorn tree services on behalf of CPS Homes/Quin & Co destroying a 150 copper beech tree, 8 March 2020 A year ago this week, following a decision by Cardiff Council to … Continue reading In memoriam: Suffolk House trees felled a year ago this week
Jargon buster no.2: EIA
Photo credit: eugenio56 Could it mean 'Extinction Is Assured' No, in fact it stands for an "environmental impact assessment" which provides information on the likely impacts of development projects on the environment
Jargon busters no.1: “LDP”
Power of Jargon. Credit: Ged Carroll Cardiff Civic Society sheds light on the impenetrable terminology used by officialdom First off – LDP Let Developers Plunder Only joking. In plain English it is the ten-year plan for Cardiff The Local Development Plan (LDP) will determine how Cardiff looks over the next decade. If you want to … Continue reading Jargon busters no.1: “LDP”
Cardiff Council responsible for plan to site Military Medicine Museum on children’s park
Military Medicine Museum Trust say council persuaded them to favour Britannia Park for their new five storey building An exhibit from the National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, which recreates a Union field hospital at the battle of Gettysburg. Photo credit: Taylor Studios Cardiff council's economic development department, led by Cllr Russell Goodway are … Continue reading Cardiff Council responsible for plan to site Military Medicine Museum on children’s park
