The Reservoir Action Group was launched on Tuesday evening (4th December) at a public meeting in Rhyd-y-Penau Primary School, Cyncoed. Over four hundred people managed to squeeze into the school hall but, unfortunately, we had to turn away another 200 who could not be accommodated. If you were in the latter group, we are extremely sorry that you had a wasted trip. We hope this newsletter will, at least, put you in the picture.
Cllr. Owen Pryce, a member of the Council Planning Committee, summarised the latest information about the development plans. Although no formal planning application has yet been submitted, and one is not now expected until mid-January, Western Power Distribution have met with Councillors and several local groups to outline their proposals. These are broadly in line with the plans that we circulated earlier: 120 houses on the Southern (Cyncoed side) of the reservoir including the Nant Fawr meadows; 60 houses on the North West side behind South Rise, and a block of 60 apartments on the site of the sailing school. The size of Llanishen reservoir would also be drastically reduced. As Lisvane reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest it would be difficult to develop this site, although there are plans to make some environmental 'improvements' such as lowering the banks and building islands for birds to breed. The developers have employed the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust as consultants, and will probably try to emphasise these environmental enhancements as much as possible, whilst ignoring the detrimental effects of the rest of the development.
Jenny Randerson, Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, addressed the likely timescale of the planning application and how it would be dealt with by the Council. Given the scale of the proposed development, there is likely to be a period of consultation after the application is lodged which may last for several months. Local residents and other interested parties would have to be consulted, and an Environmental Impact Assessment of the development would have to be considered.
The third speaker, Ted Thurgood, proposed the formation of a Reservoir Action Group to oppose the development of the site. This was overwhelmingly supported by the meeting along with the following objects for the Group:
(1) That it is opposed to any building development on Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs and the open land surrounding them and supports a campaign against any application for planning permission on this land.
(2) That it will campaign for the area to be given legally protected status and enhanced as a part of the Nant Fawr Green Corridor that can be passed down as a heritage to future generations.
A Steering Committee was elected to launch the campaign to meet the Group's aims (above) and also to organise a proper constitution for the group. The Steering Committee is comprised of the following people:
| Chair | Ted Thurgood | Committee Members: | Geraint Evans | |
| Vice Chair | Richard Cowie | Bert Williams | ||
| Hon. Secretary | Ruth Jenkins | Ceri Davies | ||
| Hon. Treasurer | Rhys Thomas | Vernon Hale | ||
| Liaison Officer | Mike Walker |
Ted stressed the importance of a co-ordinated campaign against the development plans. The Reservoir Action Group will be open to residents of Llanishen, Lisvane or Cyncoed; fishermen, sailors, birdwatchers, and walkers. In fact, anyone who wants to prevent building development on the reservoirs and surrounding fields and wants to conserve the whole area as an essential component of the Nant Fawr wildlife corridor. Accompanying this Newsletter is a form to complete if you would like to become a member of the group.
A meeting about the reservoir development has also been arranged by Llanishen Councillors on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30 pm in Christ the King School, Everest Avenue. If our experience last Tuesday is anything to go by, it would be a good idea to turn up early!
We were also informed at the meeting that Western Power have arranged to take over an empty shop in Cyncoed village (Cleghorn the photographers) to mount an exhibition regarding the development. This is likely to open from Tuesday 11th December until Christmas, if not beyond this. There is also the possibility that a similar exercise might be carried out in Llanishen.
Whilst we can understand that people will want to see this exhibit, we would warn you that you are likely to experience a 'hard sell'. No doubt the positive aspects of the environmental improvements to Lisvane reservoir will be stressed, whilst the damage to the environment caused by the building development will be played down. This sort of exercise is also not just to inform the public. The developers will be keen to pump visitors for their views, so that they can attempt to address common concerns when the final planning application is submitted. We suggest that you get as much information from them as possible, but don't give away too much about what you think are the bad (or good?) points of the scheme.
Another common argument used by developers is that if the Planning Permission for their scheme is refused, they will do something much worse. In this case, such as filling in the reservoir and building houses ALL over the site. This argument is fallacious. If the planning application for this scheme is turned down, it is extremely unlikely that they will get planning permission for any scheme that causes even more environmental damage. If the planning application is rejected, the land becomes relatively worthless, and the best the developers can hope to do is to sell it for its residual value. This should be our ultimate aim.
RAG Steering Committee