Failed attempt to stop Cardiff council giving land over to military medicine museum

AN attempt has failed to stop Cardiff council giving land over to a planned military medicine museum in Cardiff Bay.

Britannia Park, an open space between the bay and Roath Basin, opposite the Norwegian Church, is about to be built on. In December, the council gave planning permission for a three-storey museum, despite strong public opposition.

The council owns the land, having bought it from previous landowner British Ports to “save it” from separate plans to build a 24-storey block of flats there. But council leader Huw Thomas said the council needs to give the land to the museum, to recoup the costs.

On Thursday, January 28, councillors were called to reject the planned disposal land, to protect the park and the public open space. But a majority voted against the idea.

During a full council meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Rodney Berman said:

“The council may well have already considered this as a local planning authority and has granted planning consent. But that doesn’t have to be the end of the matter.

“For the proposal to go forward, the council needs to release the land for development. And that’s something members could vote to stop today.”

He tabled an amendment to a motion calling for more trees to be planted across the city and protecting public open space.

He added: “The [museum] has met with huge opposition among the local community. It’s clear there is considerable opposition about the proposal and the loss of public open space in a part of the city already recognised as deficient in public open space.

“If we are serious about wanting to create a greener city then we have to retain and value our public open space, allow the city to breathe and ensure residents can enjoy open space that they’ve enjoyed for many years.

“The walkway around Roath basin is well used. Although some of it would remain, this development would cut it off from the water’s edge. The vista currently enjoyed from this location will be changed for the worse. It’s not too late to stop it.”

But only 15 councillors voted for the amendment, with 20 abstaining and 38 councillors voting against.