As long standing members are aware, the development of the Hospital Meadows has been
hanging over the Reserve since the mid 1990’s. We received a letter from Cardiff and Vale
University Health Board within the last three years advising that they had no plans for
housing and the land would be kept for health purposes. Whilst this was not ideal, it would
have not caused the level of environmental damage if a housing development was
implemented.
Members may have noticed in the local press that the Board have changed their plans for
the site. At the time of writing this article, the future of Mental Health Services is open for
public consultation. Following this announcement, we requested a meeting with
representatives of the senior management to discuss their plans and our continued concern
as this has implications for the future of the site.
Whilst the final details will not be finalised until the end of the public consultation
period**, it would appear from our meeting that our worst fears will be realised. As things
stand, a significant housing development will be built next to the Reserve. We have been
told that this part of the Board’s land has been identified as surplus to their requirements.
(The fields we are most concerned about are in the Hollybush area across the road from
Coryton station, towards ASDA.) They have existing planning consent and will be
requesting that this timescale is extended into the future. The environmental damage that
this will cause to this Reserve is obvious to anyone.
The timescales for starting these developments are unlikely to be imminent with the present
economic conditions however the future plans for the Reserve and wide biodiversity in the
longer term are now in doubt.
The Committee will be contacting our local representatives; AM, MP, Councillors and the
Cardiff County Council Planning Department to inform them of our opposition to the
planned housing development which will cause damage to the Reserve and the loss of
an important protective zone which is also a valuable countryside amenity within the
City.
We would urge you to also contact your local representatives as soon as possible to express
your concerns on an individual basis.
Martin Chamberlain
Secretary – Friends of Forest Farm
**Public consultation started on 5th November 2010 and lasts for 6 weeks until 17th December. The Board is expected to make a decision in January 2011.
