Formal objection to Cathays High School expansion proposals

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Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you about the Council’s proposals for expanding Cathays High School. I have serious concerns about the proposal, as well as about the consultation process.
My objections to consultation point 2, building on the Maindy site, are as follows:

Maindy Velodrome track, field and bowling greens are one of the few green spaces in Cathays and should be retained. The area is currently used by many local residents for relaxing and exercising. The track is used by individual cyclists and a variety of cycling clubs for training purposes due to its central location and the low banking suitable for younger and inexperienced cyclists. The total area open to the public should not be reduced in size, or replaced by sports halls / Multi-Use Games Areas, as under the proposals.

There is not sufficient space for buildings on the new site, particularly as the cycle track area cannot be built on due to the ground being unstable. The old site will need to be built on, too. It would be appreciated if information could be provided on how this will be done while the school remains open, and how the Better Leisure Centre will be able to remain open during the new building work (given the proposed new school buildings may use part, or all, of the current gym car park).

It is also noted that PE lessons may need to continue to be held in Heath Park even if the proposals went ahead. This further undermines the arguments for removing the cycle track.

The proposed building work on the Maindy site and the old school site would be disruptive for pupils, users of the leisure centre, and local residents. Additionally, the Council has not made clear the infrastructure implications for local residents, including suggestions that Crown Way may be permanently closed. The plans would be likely to have negative effects on congestion, pollution, road safety and active travel throughout Cathays and Gabalfa, affecting school pupils and local residents.

I believe the cycle track demolition and replacement would be contrary to Policy C2 of the adopted Local Development Plan on the Protection of Existing Community Facilities. The supporting text for the policy states that it includes both land and buildings. This policy states:
"Proposals involving the loss or change of use of buildings currently or last used for community facilities will only be permitted if:
i. An alternative facility of at least equal quality and scale to meet community needs is available or will be provided within the vicinity; or
ii. It can be demonstrated that the existing provision is surplus to the needs of the community."

Neither of these conditions are met. As Maindy Velodrome is not surplus to requirements, the alternative cycle track would need to be provided in the ‘vicinity.’ The proposed alternative site in the Bay is over 4 miles away: not in the vicinity.

As the cycle track / field area cannot be built on, it is unclear why it would need to be demolished for the purposes of building the new school. There is land in the centre of the track that is under-utilised and could offer additional sports provision such as a pitch or series of five-a-side pitches; some land from the old school site could also be used for this purpose. Although for some years the bowling greens have not been properly maintained by the Council, this area is also already public space. It should be regenerated and improved as a publicly-available park or garden, instead of being built on.

Maindy Velodrome and the nearby Bowling Green have historical and cultural significance. The area was gifted to the residents of Cardiff by Lord Bute, and therefore what residents wish to have in the space should be taken into consideration. The history of the track, as a Commonwealth Games location and home cycling track for multiple Olympic medal winners and a Tour de France winner should mean the track is treasured.

[Additional comments or concerns about the proposals]

I would also like to complain about how the Council has so far consulted on its plans.

- The council has been discussing these plans internally for many months, but residents have generally only been made aware of them in recent weeks. Many have only become aware of the plans by social media and word of mouth.
- The council’s published plans are extremely vague (for example, it has not said exactly what would be built on the Maindy site). The plans are unclear, confusing, and often contradictory.
- The short timescales and vague nature of the plans make it extremely difficult to give an informed view on the proposals.
- Demolition of the cycle track area has been unnecessarily made part of the plans for expanding the school. These are two separate issues and must be treated as such.
- The community has not been given the opportunity to object to the demolition of the cycle track specifically, or to suggest more positive and better-value approaches such as improving and adding to the existing facilities for the school and community to share.
- From 29th June 2021 to 16th July 2021, the council web page where the current statutory notice is published displayed the message "This consultation is now closed." at the top of the page. The information about statutory notice itself was not visible unless you scrolled to the bottom page. This is has undoubtedly mislead many people into thinking they're now too late to object to the proposals, and the statutory notice was therefore not appropriate to capture objections to the plans during this time. The statutory notice period should be extended by 18 days, the length of time taken for the council to change the message at the top of the page.

I hope you will address these issues with the proposals and the consultation process as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]
Of [Full address including postcode] 

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