Northlands proposals REJECTED

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

Cllr. Ed Bridges represented local residents on plans to develop the Northlands site in Gabalfa.

Residents in Gabalfa have expressed satisfaction after plans to develop the Northlands site on North Road were rejected by Cardiff Council's Planning Committee this afternoon.

The proposals would have seen the existing Salvation Army rebuilt and a residential development constructed on the same site. However, there was local controversy over a proposed second access point to the site via residential side streets.

Cllr. Ed Bridges said: "The developer felt that, for various technical reasons, they would need to access the site via Pen-y-Bryn Place as well as the existing North Road access. Along with local residents, I argued that access via residential side streets would be detrimental to the area and that access solely via North Road would be more appropriate."

The Planning Committee voted by four votes to three to reject the application because of concerns over access. In their comments, several Committee Members agreed that side streets like Pen-y-Bryn Road would be adversely affected by the proposed development, and that the existing access point on North Road should be sufficient.

Cllr. Bridges added: "The applicant has the right of appeal against the decision, and may well now take the matter to the Welsh Assembly for an appeal hearing. However, I hope that I have done all I can in my role with the council to represent residents on this issue. The Salvation Army are part of our community, and I value the work they do, but the access issue was fundamental to local residents and I am satisfied that the Planning Committee listened to the concerns we expressed."