I’ve contacted Anna McMorrin MP, Julie Morgan AM and the four Whitchurch and Tongwynlais County Councillors for their views on the Velindre Cancer Centre planning application.

Anna McMorrin has sent me these comments:

“I support the Velindre NHS Trust planning application for the development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre on land to the North of Whitchurch Hospital playing fields, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

“I have had many discussions with Velindre Hospital, local residents and organisations over the past few months to discuss the development and have considered all of the issues very carefully, weighing the very real environmental concerns with the health needs of our communities and that of South East Wales.

“Planning permission has already been granted for 86 houses to be built on the Whitchurch Meadows site. I would prefer the space to be used for a world class centre of excellence that leads the UK, and is desperately needed in South East Wales, where cancer is the second highest cause of death.

“However, I am concerned that there will be a significant environmental impact on a part of Whitchurch meadows and am keen that the developers seek to mitigate as much of this as possible in their design and delivery of the project. I am also aware that there are crucial concerns about traffic, transport and parking.

“I have spoken a number of times to the developers and with Cardiff Council to discuss all of these concerns and in particular to ask whether the site could be developed on a brownfield site elsewhere. The current Whitchurch hospital site is a Grade two listed building and therefore cannot be built on or adapted and I have been assured that there is no other NHS owned or brownfield public land available in the vicinity to accommodate the development. The other consideration is that the Cancer Centre must be close to the Heath Hospital in order for patients to receive surgery.

“Following discussions with Cardiff Council, I have been informed that their own consultation responses on public rights of way and ecology are yet to be submitted. I will be following these responses and the proposals with interest and am also meeting with the developers again in early September.

“Although the pre-planning consultation period has come to an end, I am continuing my discussions with environmental groups, Friends of Forest Farm, local residents, the developers and Cardiff Council. I have also sought a meeting to discuss the proposal with Natural Resources Wales. I am committed to ensuring that Cardiff North residents voices are heard and that the upmost is done to reduce the impact on the local community, as well as on Whitchurch meadows.”

Anna Mcmorrin MP (contact Anna at anna.mcmorrin.mp@parliament.uk)

(Received by email on 14 August 2017)

I’ve contacted Anna McMorrin MP, Julie Morgan AM and the four Whitchurch and Tongwynlais County Councillors for their views on the Velindre Cancer Centre planning application.

Julie Morgan has sent me these comments:

“I do support this application. I have been involved with Velindre Hospital for many years and have taken part in many discussions about the plan for a new hospital and for delivering cancer services as close to home as possible for patients in South East Wales.

“The plan is for a new hospital to be sited on the Whitchurch Hospital Meadows. I have opposed development on the meadows for many years but planning permission was finally given for houses in 2001. There will therefore be development on the meadows in any case. I am therefore supporting a hospital rather than houses. This view is backed by the Friends of Forest Farm, who work, voluntarily, to protect and maintain Forest Farm.

“I have met the developers on a number of occasions. I believe we must do all we can to minimise the environmental impact. I have also met people opposed to the development. One of the issues raised is why can’t it go somewhere else. There is not enough room at the Whitchurch Hospital site as the hospital is a listed building and cannot be demolished. I am assured that there is no other NHS or public land available for the development and it needs to be near the Heath Hospital where cancer surgery is carried out.

“I am in support of having the best possible modern service for cancer patients in South East Wales so that we can improve the life chances for the increasing number of people who suffer from cancer. I am satisfied that there is no other suitable site available so I will be doing all I can to support the development to be as environmentally friendly as possible to take on board the views of local residents and my own views.”

Julie Morgan AM (contact Julie at juliemorgan.org.uk)

(Received by email on 28 July 2017)

There’s a community engagement meeting this evening to discuss traffic, transport and parking at the proposed Velindre Cancer Centre.

Date: Thursday, June 15th

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Venue: Whitchurch RFC, Samuels Crescent, Cardiff, CF14 2TH

Room: Conference Suite (please note that the room can hold a maximum of 60 people and we are unable to reserve seats)