WWF-UK: Cardiff Council urged to defer planning proposal
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Cardiff Council urged to defer planning proposal
17 January 2006
WWF Cymru is calling on Cardiff Council to defer the decision for granting 900 houses on the Ely Bridge site in Cardiff until the awaited report into the project's sustainability credentials is completed.
Tomorrow (18 January) members of the Planning and Development Committee are set to vote on the proposed development which has the potential to be an exemplar project for eco-homes.
WWF Cymru is concerned that without the Sustainable Design Code report members of the committee are not best placed to take a decision on the matter.
The Welsh Development Agency (WDA), who owns the land has commissioned architectural design specialist White Design to prepare the report which is due soon.
Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Cymru said: "The site at Ely Bridge gives Cardiff Council a unique opportunity to deliver a truly sustainable housing community, but it is crucial that the Council has all the evidence at its finger tips before taking a decision."
WWF Cymru has submitted evidence to the committee which identifies key ways to make the development a truly sustainable housing community and provide the template for future housing developments in Wales.
"Our report to members concludes that the development's sustainable credentials hinge upon providing public transport solutions for future residents, without the necessary structures in place the environmental and social needs in the surrounding area could worsen when 900 houses are occupied," continued Mr Parry.
WWF Cymru's supports the creation of a new rail halt at the site and urges Cardiff Council to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and Arriva Trains to ensure that a railway halt is installed from the outset of this development.
The Ely Bridge lies northwest of Cardiff City Centre. The WDA has submitted plans for a "mixed use development for up to 900 dwellings, employment and associated commercial uses, new highway access, a pedestrian footbridge across the Ely River and publicly accessible new green space".
Earlier this year WWF Cymru launched 'Reducing Wales' Ecological Footprint' report which stated that travel has a substantial impact on the average Welsh person's footprint.
It acknowledged that a key step in reducing the environmental impact associated with a person's travel footprint is to reduce their need to travel and therefore reducing carbon emissions – the main climate change gas.
According to WWF Cymru the proposal has the potential to help the Welsh Assembly Government achieve some of the objectives in its Sustainable Development Action Plan.
WWF Cymru is concerned that without the Sustainable Design Code report members of the committee are not best placed to take a decision on the matter.
The Welsh Development Agency (WDA), who owns the land has commissioned architectural design specialist White Design to prepare the report which is due soon.
Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Cymru said: "The site at Ely Bridge gives Cardiff Council a unique opportunity to deliver a truly sustainable housing community, but it is crucial that the Council has all the evidence at its finger tips before taking a decision."
WWF Cymru has submitted evidence to the committee which identifies key ways to make the development a truly sustainable housing community and provide the template for future housing developments in Wales.
"Our report to members concludes that the development's sustainable credentials hinge upon providing public transport solutions for future residents, without the necessary structures in place the environmental and social needs in the surrounding area could worsen when 900 houses are occupied," continued Mr Parry.
WWF Cymru's supports the creation of a new rail halt at the site and urges Cardiff Council to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and Arriva Trains to ensure that a railway halt is installed from the outset of this development.
The Ely Bridge lies northwest of Cardiff City Centre. The WDA has submitted plans for a "mixed use development for up to 900 dwellings, employment and associated commercial uses, new highway access, a pedestrian footbridge across the Ely River and publicly accessible new green space".
Earlier this year WWF Cymru launched 'Reducing Wales' Ecological Footprint' report which stated that travel has a substantial impact on the average Welsh person's footprint.
It acknowledged that a key step in reducing the environmental impact associated with a person's travel footprint is to reduce their need to travel and therefore reducing carbon emissions – the main climate change gas.
According to WWF Cymru the proposal has the potential to help the Welsh Assembly Government achieve some of the objectives in its Sustainable Development Action Plan.
Cymraeg
Further information
Download the report One Planet Living: The Opportunity at Ely Bridge as a PDF file.
Find out more about WWF's work in this area by visiting our One Million Sustainable Homes campaign website
PDF files
To view and print PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge from the Adobe website. For further information, visit our help page.
Further information
Download the report One Planet Living: The Opportunity at Ely Bridge as a PDF file.
Find out more about WWF's work in this area by visiting our One Million Sustainable Homes campaign website
PDF files
To view and print PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge from the Adobe website. For further information, visit our help page.