The Northcliffe development proposal for 30 dwellings is in addition to the Vale Labour LDP which we oppose as they dump on Penarth residents at the last minute huge increases in house building - from 380 to 860 in Penarth and area. You have just until 28th October 2016 to
object. Say No to building and losing our green belt and our tree canopy. 
Some of the reasons why we should object to Northcliffe development and why we cant trust the officers of the civic society who support the architects, local firm of Loyn and Co. principal, Penarth resident Chris Loyn, unelected president of the Penarth Civic Society. Unfortunately he has shown little respect for our trees or conservation areas by seeking to build a large dwelling in his back garden in Victoria Rd across his neighbours garden he bought and was suitably slapped down by the planning inspector.
Chris Loyns design for the Northcliffe development means the
- Loss of some 40 mature trees – Tree Protection Order changed [TPO No.11 2015] to cover only a group of 6 sycamores and 7 trees (an oak, holm oak, magnolia, pine, yew and 2 sycamores); the pine and yew are to be felled. The VoG should not permit it without a felling license, as is required for the total and needs to be granted by NRW. and the rich diverse habitat depleted, despite the claim to conservation and enhancement measures.
- the N Lodge site is part of a green corridor of ancient/mature woodland along the cliff edge
- Over-dominant form of development, above the listed buildings (Custom House and Marine Hotel). Impact on look of the Headland from Cdf Bay - inserts modern blocks between the Custom House and St Augustine's church, instead of largely woodland
- Overcrowded form of development – far too many units, too little car and amenity space
- Detrimental to the iconic headland – modern blocks replace trees
- Comprehensive ecology survey required – only a part survey for reptiles and bats so far; ignore bat roosts in the trees; NRW officer (Lindy Barratt) believes no bats are present and was unaware of the loss of tree habitat; now looking at again
- the estate dates at least from the early 1800s (bought with much of Penarth lands from the Church by the Windsors) shown as an estate on Glamorgan maps from ~1880, so should be classed as mature Woodland & Parkland, a priority habitat in the VoGs biodiversity action plan and Wales woodland strategy
- the ecology has not been properly surveyed (just a search for lizards and whether bats are roosting in the house and walls) yet bats and potentially other protected species are present. The NRW asked for a survey so they could respond fully, but that has not been done.
- the bats are likely to be roosting in trees that are destined for the chop,but that harm to their habitat has not been assessed, nor have the types of bats been identified, for rarer spcies may be present.
- claims that significant number of future residents would walk to the town shops or rely on the bus are not credible, eg. by comparison with current Northcliff flats' residents and because the bus does not run in the evenings or weekends (outside the summer).over-development of the site is shown by only 22 carparking spaces for 30 dwellings
- the cliff is unstable to some degree; the Council asked for site investigation as did the applicant's consultants in their desk-study. This is needed to show whether their construction technique with deep piling is feasible. Planning Policy Wales requires site stability to be properly investigated.
- the Northcliff Lodge could be listed: historical link to the Northcliff estate and John Batchelor's period there (and at Upper Cliff house), this remnant of the estate contains the roadway to Cliff Villa, an intermediate cliff, the old pond and (derelict) summer house.
- The lack of a site investigation is a material consideration to be included in the reasons for rejecting this application.
The civic society in Penarth refuses to allow some of their cmte members to attend the tree forum even though they are knowledgeable environmental campaigners. This is because they oppose president Chris Loyn refusal to adhere to the principals of the constitution. In Anne Greagsbys case they they refuse even to allow her to comment or [post on the facebook page on the basis she is 'politically orientated' = Plaid Cymru - not a labour party member or supporter although members of other political partys are permitted in the tree forum. The tree forum has reported NO progress to the civic society executive cmte and NO street streets have been planted.
Sorry, but this has got to be said aloud as Penarths future is at risk if the officers of the civic society bend to labour party political pressure, even the cmte chair doesn't live in Penarth!
NOTE -
Members of the Executive Committee may be members of any sub-committee and membership of a sub-committee shall be no bar to appointment to membership of the Executive Committee
Contact us - and our Save Penarth Tree Group - @PenarthTrees Facebook page Save Penarth Trees
https://www.facebook.com/SavePenarthTrees/?fref=ts
email womensvoice@gmail.com
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