Save Pantmawr

FUN(D) RAISING DAY!

2008-07-14T09:05:00.001-07:00

Saturday 19th July from 12.00 mid-day at the Pantmawr Inn

Fun(d) Raising Day to include:

Supervised Bouncy Castle

Pig Roast

Balloon Sculpting

Face Painting

Can and Bottle Stall

Books, CDs, DVDs

Handicrafts

Toy Stall

White Elephant

Cake Stall

Plant stall

Live music commencing at 6.00pm

Something for the whole family!!

Please support the cause, all money raised goes towards legal representation in the coming public inquiry.

If you have any items to donate, please contact Sue on Tel. 2062 4218 to arrange a collection.

Rhiwbina Festival Street Market

2008-07-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

We had a good day except the weather was not too good, Rain, wind and intermitent sun! We were all very tired after it and a little wet (but it was worth it).

Thank you to all who contributed!

EVENTS!

2008-07-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

PAG will have a stall at Rhiwbina Festival Street Market tomorrow 5th July. The Market starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm. We will be selling children's toys and books and bric a brac. Please come along and support us. All the money raised will go to PAG Funds to pay for legal representation at the Public Inquiry Appeal brought by Mitchells & Butlers and Charles Church.

And

The Pantmawr Inn is holding a Live Mouse Race tomorrow 5th July at 5pm.
Please come along and enjoy the fun

Row-a-thon!

2008-06-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

We have managed to "borrow" 2 rowing machines (thank you!)

Starting at 4pm Saturday 28th June, with live music from Greg Foley at 6pm

Sponsorship forms are available from the bar

(All monies raised will go towards legal representation at the forthcoming public Inquiry)

Chepstow Horse Racing Trip

2008-06-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

Ladies Evening

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Bus departs from the Pantmawr Inn at 4.30pm and we should arrive at Chepstow 5.45pm ish.

First Race: 6.30pm Last Race: 9.15pm

“Queen” tribute band live on stage 9.30pm

Bus departs at 11.00pm for return to Pantmawr Inn around mid-night.

Cost for coach and entrance £20-£25 depending on numbers

Please e-mail savepantmawr@hotmail.co.uk to confirm your spaces. All welcome!

FUN(D) RAISING DAY!

2008-06-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday 19th July from 12.00 mid-day at the Pantmawr Inn

Fun(d) Raising Day to include:

Supervised Bouncy Castle

Pig Roast

Balloon Sculpting

Face Painting

Can and Bottle Stall

Books, CDs, DVDs

Handicrafts

Toy Stall

White Elephant

Cake Stall

Plant stall

Live music commencing at 6.00pm

Something for the whole family!!

Please support the cause, all money raised goes towards legal representation in the coming public inquiry.

If you have any donations, please contact Sue on Tel. 2062 4218 to arrange a collection.

Seeking 2 rowing machines! Can you help?

2008-06-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Pantmawr Action Group will be holding a Row-Athon at the Pantmawr Inn if we can get hold of 2 rowing machines. Can you help us? Please email savepantmawr@hotmail.co.uk if we can borrow yours for the day. Thanks!

Fundraiser Day at the Pantmawr Inn!

2008-06-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

As you are probably aware PAG is looking to raise funds for the legal fees we will encounter during our fight against the proposed development of the Pantmawr Inn site.

We would like to organise a fundraising day on Saturday 19th July.

The venue will be the grounds of the Pantmawr Inn commencing at 12.00.

We hope you will attend and pay us a visit on the day to support the cause. In the meantime we could do with volunteers to help organise and help during the day. If you have any fundraising ideas or would like to take part please contact one of the coordinators listed below. We would especially like to see some local children running their own stalls. If there are any young people wishing to do so please contact Sue Rawlinson on 20624218.

The following stalls need donations of items, if you have any please contact a coordinator and they will arrange to collect from you.
Can and Bottle Stall - Anne Leyshon 20624939
Books, CD’s DVD’s and Handicrafts - Gill/Judith 20623466
Toy Stall - Gail 20693007
White Elephant - Claire 20655738
Cake Stall - Pat 20613234
Plant Stall - Hugh

Attractions for the day include a supervised bouncy castle, pig roast, balloon man, music in the pub after 6.00 pm, face painting and hopefully more. If you have any other ideas please contact us.

All funds raised will go to the Pantmawr Action Group in aid of our legal fees.

Thank you in anticipation
PANTMAWR ACTION GROUP

DONATIONS DONATIONS DONATIONS!

2008-06-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

Please help us beat the developers - we need money to help us pay legal fees. To donate:

send a cheque payable to 'Pantmawr Action Group' and include your name and address to our Treasurer Jill Edwards, 34 Heol Ffynon Wen, Pantmawr, Cardiff, CF14 7TP.
if you live in the Pantmawr area, you can donate cash to the PAG member to will knocking on your door soon to tell you more about representation.
to make a bank transfer, please call our Treasurer Jill on 02920656966.
please keep visiting this website for details of fundraising events coming soon.

Your support is vital to us winning. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Latest Pantmawr Action Group newsletter

2008-06-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

PANTMAWR ACTION GROUP NEWSLETTER
MAY 30TH 2008

The Appeal against the decision by Cardiff Council to reject the application to demolish the Pantmawr Inn and build Flats and Townhouses on the site is now to be the subject of a Public Inquiry. During the coming week all those of you who sent a letter about the proposed development to Cardiff Council Planning Department earlier this year should receive a letter from them advising you of this. We do not yet know the date on which the Inquiry will be held, but it is likely to extend over a number of days.

We understand that many of you have already written to the Planning Inspectorate at Cathays Park, but you do not need to as your previous letter to the Council will be passed on to the Inspector. If you do wish to write because you have something further to add, you should note that they require 3 copies of your letter. We would also be grateful if you could pass a copy to our Chairman at 115, Caer Wenallt or to another member of the Committee as we wish to monitor the objections that are being made.

This is now a very different situation from the application to the Council. While anyone can speak at the Inquiry, with the Inspector’s agreement, it is important for the success of our case that only planning issues are raised. Any other comments will be ignored. The Inspector will also not wish numerous people to stand up and make the same point over and over again, particularly if they are not directly affected themselves by the development. That will be counterproductive and will not help us to win this Appeal. Anyone who does speak may also be questioned by Lawyers acting for the Applicant and Cardiff Council.

The Action Group have applied to the Inspectorate to be what is called a Rule 6 party. This will give us certain privileges that individuals will not have. We will be allowed to use a Lawyer to present our case at the Inquiry and he will be able to cross examine the Applicant’s and Cardiff Council’s witnesses (eg their planning officers). We would like as many residents of Pantmawr as possible to agree to be represented by us and our legal team. Our case will be very much stronger if we are united. Those whose properties back onto the site, or will be affected by the development in other ways, will still be able to give their views on the effect the development will have on them.

Pooling together will also shorten the length of the Inquiry, which will please the Inspector and should reduce our legal fees. Even so, Legal representation will be expensive and we are appealing for donations which can be proportionally returned if the money is not used. You can send a cheque payable to ‘Pantmawr Action Group’ and include your name and address to our Treasurer, Mrs Jill Edwards, 34 Heol Ffynon Wen, Pantmawr, Cardiff, CF14 7TP. If you prefer, you can give a cash donation to the PAG Committee Member who calls to see you about representation. If you wish to make bank transfer, please consult our Treasurer on 029 20656966. A receipt will be issued and accounts for the group are available on request. We will also be holding a number of fund-raising events over the coming weeks and months. Please support us.

We will keep you informed of any developments via newsletters and our website www.savepantmawr.org. A PAG Committee Member will be visiting every house in Pantmawr soon to obtain a signature confirming your support. This will also provide you with an opportunity to get more information on a one to one basis.

Join us on Facebook here.

What happens at a public inquiry?

2008-05-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Here's some further info on the Planning Inspectorate:

"Our quality statement:
We aim to provide the following in the appeal process:
· clear, prompt and polite advice and information;
· quick and efficient handling of your appeal;
· an open exchange of views between the people involved in the appeal;
· fair and unbiased decisions by appropriately qualified people;
· clear, logical decisions and reports;
· a quick and thorough complaints procedure; and
· a service that gives the public confidence in us.

About the Planning Inspectorate:
We are part of the National Assembly for Wales and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. We deal with planning appeals in Wales from our Cardiff office. The Inspectors, who judge the appeals, have a variety of backgrounds. These include town planning, surveying, engineering, architecture and law. We choose the Inspectors very carefully and train them thoroughly.

Guide to taking part in planning appeals:
The purpose of this guide:
Only the person who applies for the planning permission has a legal right to appeal against the LPA’s decision and we call this person ‘the appellant’. But, if you had an interest in an application, whether you were for or against it, you may also be interested in the outcome of the appeal. For example, you may live close to the area, or you may be a member of a residents’ association or a group with a special interest.

In Wales, appeals are made to the National Assembly for Wales. Appeals are judged by Inspectors, who are completely unbiased and professionally qualified in planning or a related area, like law or architecture. An Inspector will decide most appeals, but there are some appeals that the Assembly will decide (for example, proposals that will affect more than just the local area). In those cases, the Inspector will still assess the appeal, but he or she will send a report with his or her recommendation to the Assembly. The Assembly then considers whether to accept the Inspector’s recommendation, and issues a decision letter. Both the appellant and the LPA can have their case heard by an Inspector at a hearing or public inquiry, but very few appeals are dealt with in this way. With all the appeal procedures, the Inspector and the Assembly can only consider things which are relevant to planning. These things can cover a wide range of issues, but the LPA’s reasons for refusing a planning application will usually set out those issues that will apply. You can only raise planning issues about the application. The Inspector and the Assembly cannot consider any other matters. For example, they cannot normally consider how a development will affect property values in the area. Or, if a new building would affect the view from your property, this is also not likely to be a good
reason for you making an objection. You would have to show that the new building would affect your living conditions, for example, because it overlooks your home or you would lose your privacy. Only the person who made the planning application has the right of appeal. We must receive all their appeal papers within six months of the LPA’s decision notice, or within six months of the end of the decision period if the LPA hasn’t made a decision. If we don’t receive their appeal papers within the time limit, and there are no exceptional reasons for this delay, we won’t accept the appeal. If the appeal has been made in time, we will write to the appellant and the LPA telling them which of the following procedures we will use to decide the appeal. We will also give them the timetable for receiving their comments. How much publicity the appeal receives will depend on which procedure we follow.

Inquiry procedure.
There is usually more publicity about an appeal if there will be an inquiry. As with the other appeal procedures, if you have already written to the LPA, they should write to you. And, you can send more comments to us. The LPA should send you details of the inquiry arrangements once the date is agreed. The appellant must display details of the inquiry, like the time and place, on the site of the proposed development.

Any person wishing to speak at an inquiry in the Welsh language, may do so, but it would be helpful if you could inform The Planning Inspectorate beforehand so that arrangements can be made.

The inquiry procedure
This is the most formal of the appeal procedures, because it usually involves larger or more complicated appeals. These are often cases where expert evidence is presented, and witnesses are cross-examined. An inquiry may last for several days, or even weeks. It is not a court of law, but the proceedings will often seem to be quite similar and the appellant and the LPA usually have legal representatives. Inquiries are open to members of the public, and although you do not have a legal right to speak, the Inspector will normally allow you to do so. We encourage local people to take part in the inquiry process. Local knowledge and opinion can often be a valuable addition to the more formal evidence given by the appellant and the LPA. However, as with hearings, you do not have to go to the inquiry to make your views known. You can write to us. If you wrote to the LPA at application stage, they will send us a copy of your views. If you did not, or wish to add to those views, you can still write to us. But you must make sure we receive three copies of your comments within the time limit given in your letter from the LPA telling you about the appeal. This is within six weeks of us accepting the appeal — we call this ‘the starting
date’. If we do not receive your letter within the time limit, the Inspector will not normally take your comments into account and we will send them back to you. If we receive your comments in time, we will send a copy of your letter to the appellant, the LPA and the Inspector. Please tell us in your letter if you would like a copy of the appeal decision. We will not acknowledge your letter unless you ask us to. If we consider your letter contains racist or abusive comments, we will send it back to you before the Inspector sees it. If you take out the racist or abusive comments, you can send your letter back to us. But, we must receive this before the time limit ends. If you want to see what the appellant and the LPA have said, you should be able to see copies of their appeal documents and statements at the local council’s offices.

How you find out about the inquiry
We will agree a date for the inquiry with the appellant and LPA. We do not involve anyone else when we fix the date. The LPA will write to everyone they told about the appeal and give them details of the inquiry, like the time and place. The LPA may put a notice in a local paper and the appellant must put one on the appeal site, giving the same information.

Taking part in the inquiry
If you want to take part in an inquiry, you need to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. Most people prefer to make, or read out, a brief statement giving their views. If there are several people with the same views, it is a good idea for one person to speak on behalf of the others. Repeating arguments at the inquiry does not help the Inspector, or make the point more relevant. If you want to take a leading role in the inquiry and call your own witnesses, you should contact us at the earliest possible stage. If we agree to this, we may ask you to provide a statement of your case and details of any documents you will produce at the inquiry. You will also be required to provide written statements of evidence 4 weeks before the start of the inquiry. If we ask for this information, and you provide it, we will send you copies of the appellant’s and LPA’s statements.

What happens at the inquiry
If you want to speak at the inquiry, it is important that you are there when it opens because this is when the Inspector will tell everyone about the timetable. At the inquiry opening, the Inspector will go through some routine matters, including asking who will be taking part in the inquiry. When the appellant and the LPA have given their details, the Inspector will ask if anyone else wants to speak. At this stage, you should only give your name and address, and say whether you are for or against the proposal. The Inspector will then usually give an outline of what will happen at the inquiry. The LPA will usually begin by making an opening statement. Their witnesses will then give their evidence and the appellant can cross-examine (question) them. The appellant will then call their witnesses, and the LPA can cross-examine them.

Giving your views
When each witness has been formally cross-examined, the Inspector will normally ask if anyone else who objects to the proposed development has any questions. This is your opportunity to ask questions, but you must make sure that your questions are relevant to the evidence the witnesses have given. You shouldn’t repeat questions that have already been asked. Do not use questions as an opportunity to state your views on the application; you will have the chance to do so later. This will normally be after the LPA’s and the appellant’s witnesses have been heard. At a long inquiry, we cannot predict when we will reach this stage. If you can’t stay at the inquiry all the time, tell the Inspector when the inquiry opens. The Inspector will understand and will try to help by hearing your comments at a different stage of the inquiry, if that is possible. The Inspector will usually ask if you are willing to answer questions about your evidence. You do not have to do this. If you object to the proposed development, the appellant’s representative will ask these questions. Do not feel intimidated. The Inspector will not let anyone ask you hostile or unfair questions. The inquiry ends with closing speeches by the LPA and the appellant. This is
normally followed by the Inspector visiting the appeal site. Because the inquiry is over, there can be no further discussion about the case during that visit. The arrangements are very similar to the visits that are made as part of the written procedure.

After the inquiry
The Inspector will write their decision or send their report to the Assembly. Where the
Inspector decides the appeal we will send a copy of their decision to:
· the appellant;
· the LPA;
· anyone who took part in the inquiry; and
· anyone else who wrote to ask us for a copy.
For inquiries which the Inspector decides, and which last for one or two days, we aim to issue the decision no later than seven weeks after the close of the inquiry. For inquiries which last longer, or where the Inspector has to write a report for the Assembly, the decision will usually take longer.

Pirates and princesses at the Pantmawr!

2008-05-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

The Pantmawr Inn continues to be the hub of social activity for the Pantmawr Garden Village, and on the weekend hosted a pirates and princesses birthday party! PANTMAWR CANNOT LOSE THIS SOCIAL AMENITY!

Public meeting

2008-05-27T00:34:00.000-07:00

Last night local ward Councillors Brian Jones, Jayne Cowan and Adrian Robson held a public meeting at the All Saints Hall in Rhiwbina to discuss the appeal and public enquiry.

Cllr Jayne Cowan informed those present that the Assembly had granted a public enquiry, and said that this was a "positive way forward".

Adrian Robson talked through the enquiry procedure, and reminded those present that all objection letters already sent in to the Council on this matter will be forwarded to the planning inspector - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't write in again!

There's more information on the Planning Inspectorate website - click here.

Adrian reminded everyone that written representations must be received by the inspectorate by 4th July. Write to:
Hefin Jones
Case officer
The Planning Inspectorate
Crown Buildings
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Jonathan Morgan AM was also in attendance, and he explained that he has experience of 2 major planning appeals.

Thank you to everyone who came - please send your letters of objection to the planning inspectorate now!

Watch this space for more news soon!

Request for public enquiry gets the go ahead!

2008-05-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

Good news...

Here's what the Planning Inspectorate had to say...

"Further to my e-mail below I can confirm that the Inspectorate has now reviewed the situation and has decided that the most appropriate procedure for the appeal is the inquiry procedure. Therefore the appeal will proceed on that basis.

Any representations you wish to make on the appeal must be received at the Inspectorate by 4 July.

Kind regards
Hefin Jones
Swyddog Achos/Case officer
Yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio / The Planning Inspectorate
Adeilad y Goron / Crown Buildings
Parc Cathays / Cathays Park
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
029 2082 3856"

British BBQ Champion at the Pantmawr this Saturday!

2008-05-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow for BBQ fun and frolics. Starting early afternoon, Ben - the British BBQ Champion will be serving up tasty morcels all afternoon!

All prices include a serving of salad and a Jacket Potato.

Rack of ribs US style full rack - £7.99

and half rack - £5.99

Hot & Spicy Rump Steak - £6.99

Smoked Trout - £7.99

BBQ Burger - £4.99

Bananas & Baileys - £2.99

See you there!

PAG is calling for a public enquiry

2008-05-22T01:31:00.000-07:00

The Pantmawr Action Group committee met last night to discuss the appeal. The applicants Mitchells & Butler and Asbri Planning (on behalf of Charles Church) have requested that the appeal be made through written representations, rather than a public enquiry.

PAG has contacted the Planning Inspectorate strongly urging them to launch a public enquiry into the matter, following the high profile and strongly supported campaign to SAVE THE PANTMAWR! The Planning Inspectorate have noted PAG's request for a public enquiry.

PAG will be making a statement at the public meeting at All Saints Church Hall, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, at 7pm on Monday, May 26th. All welcome - please come along! Spread the word.

Join us on Facebook here.

Assembly to rule on Pantmawr Inn's future as developers appeal

2008-05-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Assembly to rule on pub’s future as developers appeal

Katie Norman, South Wales Echo

DEVELOPERS have appealed against the rejection of controversial plans to build flats and houses on the site of a popular pub.
Proposals to build on the site of the Pantmawr Inn, Pantmawr, Cardiff, were rejected by Cardiff council’s planning committee after a lengthy residents’ campaign against the idea.
But Asbri Planning, which represents developer Charles Church and landowner Mitchells and Butlers, has appealed to the National Assembly.
The Pantmawr Action Group (PAG), which formed to try to save the pub, has said it will continue its campaign against the plans.
The Assembly’s planning inspectorate, based at Cathays Park, Cardiff, will now have 30 weeks to look at the appeal.
Asbri Planning has asked the inspectorate to consider the application on written representation alone, without a public inquiry.
But a public inquiry could be held if the Assembly receives enough demands for such action from the public.
Ward councillor Jayne Cowan said she fully supported PAG and believed a public inquiry would be in their interests.
“It would mean there would be a site meeting and the campaigners could show the full scale of the impact, as they have done previously,” she said.
A public meeting to discuss the situation has been organised at All Saints Church Hall, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, at 7pm on Monday, May 26.

WRITE TO THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE NOW!

2008-05-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

Local Cllr Jayne Cowan has just sent us this update...

"Just a short note to advise that I have made contact with the Planning Inspectorate and they have confirmed the following contact details for people wishing to make their representations.

Although the application has not been formally registered, this should be done in the next few days.

The Planning Inspectorate
Crown Buildings
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Telephone: 029 2082 3866
Fax: 029 2082 5150

wales@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk

wales@pins.gsi.gov.uk

I will also post this on our website www.rhiwbinaward.com"

M&B and Charles Church have appealed

2008-05-15T00:32:00.000-07:00

Local Cllrs Jayne, Adrian and Brian contacted the Pantmawr Action Group with the following:

We are sorry to advise that Mitchells and Butler and Charles Church have appealed against the Pantmawr Inn Decision.

We are putting out a flyer to every house in Pantmawr to advise them of this over the next few days.

A public meeting has been arranged for Monday 26th May, 7pm at All Saints Church Hall.

Please contact us with your views which we will forward to the National Assembly for Wales.

Best wishes

Jayne, Adrian and Brian

Email Jayne - JCowan@cardiff.gov.uk

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE SOON FOR MORE DETAILS.

The Pantmawr PARTY!

2008-04-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

Come and celebrate the Pantmawr victory with us, this Friday at the Pantmawr Inn!

Letter from the First Minister

2008-04-24T08:29:00.001-07:00

Dear Sue,

I was very pleased to hear that the well supported campaign against the redevelopment of the Pantmawr site was successful and Cardiff Council's Planning Committee recently turned down the application.

I am well aware of the importance of the pub, especially for the Pantmawr residents, and that since the closure of the Heol Ffynnon Wen shops, it is the only facility on the estate available for the local community's use.

It is also an important part of the living heritage of North Cardiff, a place where people can meet and can now enjoy good value food & drink in a well-run establishment.

The future may not yet be totally secure, but the Committee's decision, reflecting local people's concerns as well as needs, is an important step in preserving the Pantmawr for future generations and I wish you and the pub every success.

Yours

Rhodri

Reasons planning permission was refused

2008-04-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

Local independent Councillor Jayne Cowan confirmed the reasons planning was refused - reasons cited by the planning officer.

Pantmawr Inn - reasons for refusal - 07/1980

RECOMMENDATION 1: That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

The proposed development by virtue of its scale and massing would be out of keeping with the pattern and density of development in the surrounding area and would appear obtrusive and over-dominant when viewed from neighbouring properties, to the detriment of visual amenity, residential amenity and the character of the area and contrary to policy 11 of the Cardiff Local Plan, policies 2.20 and 2.24 of the deposit. Cardiff Unitary Development Plan and paragraph 9.3.3 of Planning Policy Wales.

The density of the proposed development is such that the development would be contrary to policy 2.24 of the Cardiff Unitary Development Plan in that there would not be an adequate distance between facing habitable room windows of dwellings within the application site and between such windows of the proposed dwellings and existing dwellings surrounding the site to maintain a satisfactory standard of privacy.

Celebratory emails from campaign supporters

2008-04-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

The Pantmawr Action Group has received a huge number of emails following the Planning Committee voting NO to development. Here's just some of them:

A short note to say many thanks for all the hard work that you’ve put in on the campaign to stop the Pantmawr planning application. My wife and I moved here last year, and we quickly realised the importance of the pub as a focus for the estate and a place for our three year old daughter to play. We were horrified at the prospect of losing it before we’d really had a chance to get to know it, and I have no doubt that this would have been the result had you not decided to press the case with such commitment and innovation. I’ve attended the last two planning meetings and the site visit and have been amazed at the support that you’ve mobilised. Pantmawr is fortunate to have you. [Pantmawr resident]

Congratulations and thanks to all concerned for achieving this result. By mounting such a professional and well informed campaign you have demonstrated how members of the community can exert a real and positive influence over decisions which affect them. You have also highlighted a worrying naivety and lack of rigour in the way that the planning and highway officers handled such a badly prepared proposal. Hopefully lessons will be learned in County Hall. [Elwyn Owen, Pantmawr resident]

Congratulations. What an amazing result. Everyone worked so hard to ensure the right result was achieved. [Independent Cllr Jayne Cowan]

Latest newsletter to residents

2008-04-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

PANTMAWR ACTION GROUP NEWSLETTER – 18th APRIL 2008

PANTMAWR INN SITE PLANNING APPLICATION

You should all be aware by now from other notes around the Estate that the Planning Application for 34 dwellings on the Pantmawr Inn site was rejected by the Planning Committee. Excluding the Chairman, of the six Councillors present and able to vote, five voted to reject the application and one abstained. From a point of view of fairness we should make it quite clear that Adrian Robson, the Independent Councillor for this area on the Planning Committee, was obliged to declare an interest and withdraw as he had publicly stated his opposition to the plans prior to becoming a member of the Committee. A comment that he didn’t bother to vote is inaccurate. The Labour Councillor present voted in favour of rejection.

We would like to record our grateful thanks to our local Councillors Jayne Cowan, Adrian Robson and Gareth Neale for the support they have given us during our campaign to defeat this application. We have also been supported by Julie Morgan MP, Jonathan Morgan AM, Chris Franks AM and others. We would also like to acknowledge the fantastic support we have received from residents of Pantmawr especially and users of the Pantmawr Inn. Without their demonstration of support at the two planning meetings and at the site visit it is possible we would not have achieved a positive result. However, the applicants can appeal to the National Assembly for Wales against the decision by the Council or they could submit a new application to develop the site. We cannot allow ourselves to be complacent.

We should emphasise our campaign is not just about saving the Pantmawr Inn, but about rejecting totally unsuitable developments on the site.

PS. Could the person who contacted the Chairman about Bats please ring him again on 20628484 and remind him of their address so that he can let them have the promised copy of the report on the survey that was carried out last year.

"It's a wonderful result"

2008-04-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

“It’s a wonderful result”- The words of PAG’s chairman Hugh Payne says it all. Yesterday the Council’s Planning Committee voted to reject plans to demolish the Pantmawr Inn and build apartments on the site. Below is what happened at the meeting.....

At the Planning Meeting, Richard Twomlow spoke on behalf of PAG and other objectors and neatly summarised the range of objections in an excellent 3 minute speech – detailing the main objections as the loss of the pub as a community facility, and fundamental planning problems – massing, scale, access, and open space. Twomlow urged the Committee to reject the application

Developers Charles Church had the opportunity to respond but chose not to.

Conservative Councillor Gareth Neale spoke and congratulated PAG on a “superb campaign”. Neale said his main concerns were access to the site as the entrance is narrow and obscured, and this matter had been ignored by the Highways Officer. He also drew attention to various inaccuracies in the plans. Neale also discussed a Times article published a couple of weeks ago which claimed every 6 hours in England and Wales a pub closes. Neale urged the Planning Committee to reject the application.

Independent Councillor Jayne Cowan thanked the Planning Committee for attending the site visit to consider the impact of the development, and praised PAG’s use of balloons to illustrate the height and area of the proposed development. Cowan went on to highlight various inaccuracies in the application and questioned the Committee as to how they could vote on an application that is inaccurate. Cowan argued that Councillors should reject the plans on overdevelopment of the site; scale and character of the development would be overbearing; privacy standards would be reduced by the development; the un-neighbourly nature of the apartments including their close proximity to existing dwellings; the development being out of keeping with the area; and the impact the development would have on existing houses; and loss of amenity as the development would mean the loss of amenity for 1000 residents – “it will mean no parks, no shops, no nothing”. Cowan urged the Planning Committee to reject the application.

Planning Officer Martin Morris talked through the application, and noted that there had been a huge number of objections from local residents, as well as Jonathan Morgan AM, Julie Morgan MP, and the Rhiwbina Civic Society. Morris claimed that objections based on the pub acting as a community facility should not be considered because he claimed the pub doesn’t act in the same way as a community facility and that in a January 2007 audit, a report stated that there were community facilities located within a one mile radius of the site. This comment was met with jeers from the audience gathered. Morris went on to argue that the site for proposed development was an “isolated site” on the Pantmawr estate – a comment which caused the room to erupt into laughter and jeers. Morris thanked PAG for the balloons at the site visit, but claimed that they were not set at an appropriate site. PAG can confirm that the balloons were laid out by a civil engineer!! Morris apologised for citing the Monico flats as an example, and admitted he’d made a mistake by claiming that particular site was in Rhiwbina. Morris said that he believed the plans were for a “reasonable” development, and said “we recommend approval”.

The Highways Officer discussed two issues – access and traffic. She confirmed that the width of the entrance is indeed 6.8m – a correction to the original application – pointed out by PAG! She went on to argue that the pub currently has 84 parking spaces, and that the new development would only have 48 – meaning a reduction in traffic. This was also met with boos and jeers as the cars would be entering and leaving the site at peak times, meaning an increase in traffic density!

The Councillors on the Committee were invited to comment.

Councillor Cathy Pearcy said that she had visited the pub recently and it was very busy and “thriving”. She argued that local residents “deserve” to have a facility like this near them. She said
“I do not believe the other community facilities mentioned in the report are easily accessible for residents on the estate”.
She also said she was very unhappy with an old building being pulled down. Pearcy went on to highlight the access issues, and noted that the Planning Committee struggled to get onto the estate in their mini-bus. She argued that members (and indeed residents) should be very concerned if a fire engine needed access.

Another Councillor said that they were very concerned how close the new buildings would be to the existing properties.

Another Councillor said that they were very concerned about a comment made by Planning Officer Martin Morris about the proposed development being a “tight development” and that this strongly suggests overdevelopment and overbearing.

The Vice Chair of the Planning Committee said that he was very concerned with the application, and said that this new style of development will be an over development of the site. He also highlighted the lack of amenity space, and concerns over the proximity to existing houses.

Another Councillor said that at the site visit she felt the site was very claustrophobic.

The Chief of Planning told the Committee
“this application meets all requirements”
And said that if Councillors vote to reject it and the developers appeal, there would be a potential cost to the tax-payer. The audience jeered loudly and many audience members shouted “blackmail” in response.
After the meeting, several PAG members said that his behaviour was disgraceful.

The Councillors then voted to REJECT the planning application amidst a burst of applause and celebration from the audience.

After the meeting Planning Officer Martin Morris approached PAG member Sue Rawlinson and said:
“Congratulations on a very entertaining campaign”.
Why thank you Mr Morris.

The Charles Church Rep also spoke to Sue Rawlinson and said
“Congratulations”.
“Do you think they’ll appeal?” replied Sue.
“I’ll need to consult with my client”
“Tell them to bugger off. We’ll fight them to the end of the earth” Sue told the Rep.
“I’ll pass the message on”

PAG will be holding a celebration party at the Inn very soon….check back for details.

YOU ALL DESERVE A HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.....

THANK YOU!

However, the fight is not over. The developers might appeal.....please check back for details.