NO to Penarth Northcliffe lodge "LITTLE BOXES" SCHEME

NORTHCLIFF LODGE "LITTLE BOXES" SCHEME - OPPOSED BY PENARTH COUNCIL - GETS VALE PLANNERS OK - VoG planning Cmte THURS, 5^TH JAN 2017 AT 6.00 P.M. 

Venue  COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC OFFICES

Our historic mature woodland in St. Augustine’s Ward would be trashed for spec housing on the side of the cliff.
►high risk of landslide, just above the Custom House hotel - See here
►rich reserve of up to 40 trees and wildlife to go
►a big gash in Penarth’s iconic wooded headland
►the developers refuse their share of affordable housing
►the developers pretend new residents will walk or bus to town, so plan few car-spaces, creating a parking problem

Planning papers here More details  Details for : 2015/01449/FUL 

Lab CLLR LIS BURNETT
ST AUGUSTINES
WARD PENARTH
@lisburnett

VoG planning cmte - those in bold also St Augustines Ward and members of Penarth Town Council 

Chairman: Councillor Fred Johnson @CllrFred

Vice-Chairman: Councillor Margaret Wilkinson

Councillors: Rhiannon Birch, Jonathan Bird, Bronwen Brooks, Lis Burnett @lisburnett, Pamela Drake, John Drysdale, Chris Franks, Eric Hacker, Howard Hamilton, Val Hartrey, Nic Hodges @NP_H13, Jeff James, Peter King @CllrKing, Andrew Parker, Bob Penrose, Anthony Powell, Audrey Preston, Gwyn Roberts and Clive Williams.

Penarth Town Council SAYS NO  

Penarth Town Council –

That the application should not be approved for the following reasons:- 

1. Overdominant form of development that could threaten the future of the listed buildings, Custom House and Marine Building. 

2. Overcrowded form of development. 

3. Detrimental to this iconic headland known as the Bears Head believed to be where the name of Penarth is derived.

4. Request the Vale Council’s own ecology officer carry out a comprehensive ecology survey as it is considered that the submitted survey is inadequate. Local Knowledge is aware of an extensive and active bat population. 

5. The loss of so many mature trees is also of concern. If the Vale Council is minded to approved the application the Town Council wishes to reserve the right to comment at a later date with regard to any S106 agreement and the community needs within the locality. 

Cllr Lis Burnett disses petition asking not to bring Wakeboarding to Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

Wakeboarding scheme was announced by VoG council on 1st December 2016 

Anne Greagsby started the petition on the 5th December 2016 signed by 14,000.  

Cllr Lis Burnett called the
petition inaccurate -
spurious - untrue- fabricated
So thats a NO I won't listen then

Cllr Burnett mocked the petition making accusations of exaggeration and deception, accused Anne of fabricating stories to create spurious petitions Cllr Burnett "I would reassure members that if just a small fraction of the some of the tales of impending carnage and destruction in our much-loved Country Park were actually true then I’d probably signing the wholly inaccurate petition  launched and handed in by the recently announced Penarth Plaid Cymru candidate for next year’s local government elections …..But it’s not true and so I won’t be signing" 

Cllr Burnett claims this wake boarding scheme was discussed and consulted on but that is not true. Water activities and a zip wire do not equate to WAKEBOARDING. Discussion at cabinet is not consultation. Dec1st 2016 was the date of the press release.   
The VoG council is keen to introduce commercial activities to our parks and Cllr Franks and Cllr Ernest raised objections and alarm at potential plans.  We've already experienced rowing competitions with loud PA system, showing a failure to control noise. They promised not to disturb bird-life on the lake, so few would have envisaged wakeboarding with splash-noise, back-wash and PA-led competitions in the peaceful nature reserve. Money-making activities despite the intrusion scaring off wildlife from the lake is Burnett's agenda (answer at Council meeting of 15 Dec. - video clip).  She talked of working with Natural Resources Wales, whose only concern is the special underwater algae, not the normal resident and breeding birds. The proposal hasn't been to planning yet, but worryingly the council could just grant itself permission.

Here is a time-line of items for reference, including Vale Council meetings.    

11th Jan 2016

The Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Meeting: 11 January, 2016 Report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Tourism and Commercial Opportunities at Countryside Service. 

To seek authority to invite tenders from potential commercial partners in order to create new tourism and commercial opportunities at Porthkerry Country Park, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village. 

12th April 2016
The Vale of Glamorgan Council Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment): 12th April 2016 Report of the Managing Director Tourism and Commercial Opportunities at Countryside Service Sites. To report the progress made with regard to the engagement of third party operators in relation to commercial opportunities at Countryside sites.

Oct 27th 2016
VALE COUNCIL REVEALS MORE DETAILS OF PLANS TO CASH-IN ON COSMESTON 

Cllr Chris Franks (Plaid Dinas Powys) has already demanded that the public should be given full details of the Cosmeston proposals .“It is not right that this much-loved country park is facing potentially disruptive activities but the public are denied a say on matters. We recognise that there are financial challenges but that is no excuse for this secrecy.”

Penarth town councillor, Cllr Anthony Ernest (Conservative Plymouth Ward),  who represents part of the Cosmeston Park area, says “Whilst I recognise there may be some need to raise a reasonable income from this much loved country park, which presently attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the proposals do seem completely over the top in their scope, and I am not convinced that we need to turn this haven of wildlife into the latest theme park in Wales. There seems to be a hell-bent wish on behalf of the current Labour administration in the Vale of Glamorgan to do away with those natural facilities that so many of our residents and visitors really enjoy, and I remain to be convinced that this is little more than a cost cutting exercise... with grandiose ideas for fun fairs, cable wires and the like.”

September 11th 2016 

VALE COUNCIL SET TO GENERATE CASH FROM COSMESTON COUNTRY PARK 

1st December 2016 
Vale of Glamorgan press release 
Wakeboarding could be first new activity on offer at Cosmeston Country Park

1st December 2016
Cable Wakeboarding Application Submitted at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park 
As well as bringing new visitors to the country park the activity is likely to attract interest in Cosmeston from across the UK as from 2017 it will be used as part of the UK competition circuit. Gareth Stevenson of Cosmeston Lakes Wake Park said:......
http://businessnewswales.com/wakeboarding-application-submitted-cosmeston-country-park/

1st December 2016 

Plans revealed for wakeboarding park at Cosmeston Lakes - Wales ...

www.walesonline.co.uk › Business › Business News › Vale of Glamorgan Council

1 Dec 2016 - Vale of Glamorgan council has submitted plans for a wake park at ... Gareth Stevenson of Cosmeston Lakes Wake Park said: "We have chosen ...

5th December 2016 - Vale Council (@VOGCouncil) tweeted at 1:00 pm on Mon, Dec 05, 2016: Wakeboarding could be first new activity on offer at Cosmeston Country Park 
(https://twitter.com/VOGCouncil/status/805758750011326464?s=03)

9th December 2016
6,000 people back petition against 'horrific' wakeboarding park plans 

11th Dec 2016 
9,000 SIGN ON-LINE PETITION OPPOSING COSMESTON WAKE-BOARD PLAN  

12thDecember 
NO WINTER WAKE-BOARDING TO BE ALLOWED AT COSMESTON - SAYS VALE 

14th December 2016 
VALE COUNCIL TO RECEIVE COSMESTON COUNTRY PARK PETITION TONIGHT 

15th December 2016 
COSMESTON ROW: 'WAKE-BOARDING' ISN'T LIKE 'WATER-BOARDING' - SAYS BURNETT 
Cllr Burnett tried to joke about waterboarding and answered Qs she wasn't asked “No pylons will be erected across the lake".  Seeking to minimise the potential impact of the scheme, she said that it involved a “slim A-frame set on land in tall wooded-areas on each of two sides at one end of the Eastern lake.” She continued: “a small area of the lake would be set aside for  safe and managed use”. Emphasising the word “quiet” Cllr Burnett said  “a quiet electric motor would pull users across the lake on a wire”.  Nothing about splash and boat noise, or loud speaker/PA systems, or crowds of spectators for wakeboarding competitions.

16th December 2016 COSMESTON ROW: VETERAN COUNCILLOR SLAMS VALE'S "FUNFAIR BY THE LAKES" 

Find your local Cllr here - Write to them  
You can contact Cllr Burnett 

• 029 2025 6295 / 07736 771017

• lburnett@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards to Northcliffe Penarth

  Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards

In their promotion of new homes – for the housing market rather than for need – the Vale Council leaders must have told their planning officers to by-pass car-parking standards. 

The Northcliffe Lodge developers are allowed to propose just 30 car-spaces for 30 dwellings, though the ‘standard’ is one space per bedroom, which would total 67 for the 2 and 3-bed apartments proposed**.  They are allowed to claim in their transport statement that the new dwellings would be within “easy walking distance” to the town centre and a foodstore (over the St Augustine’s hill) and public transport (no bus service after  6pm and on Sundays).

People living close-by have objected that it will result in parking on-street in Paget Place and potentially in their own cul-de-sacs.  Vale Officers still indicate 30 spaces plus 6 spaces for visitors are sufficient**.  In a case in Barry (housing on the Windsor Rd church site) the officers suggested people could give up their cars if they find it difficult to park; presumably they give the same excuse in Penarth.

Labour politicians do argue for going easy on parking standards when there’s ‘affordable’/social housing.    Yet at Northcliffe Lodge, the developer is wriggling out of the obligation to provide 40% affordable housing on the argument that the service charges they plan to levy would be over much for social tenants.  

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader, knows this well as Northcliffe is in her ward – curiously, she has not told the officers to stop leaning over backwards to assist this crammed yuppy development.

** Table 1: Accommodation Schedule

Apartment Type-    23 dwellings,  2 bedroom 90 m2 

                                7  dwellings  3 bedroom duplex 126 m2           Total  30

 http://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/PlaRecord.aspx?AppNo=2015/01449/FUL

** see the Council Highway comments of 18^th August

Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards to Northcliffe Penarth

  Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards

In their promotion of new homes – for the housing market rather than for need – the Vale Council leaders must have told their planning officers to by-pass car-parking standards. 

The Northcliffe Lodge developers are allowed to propose just 30 car-spaces for 30 dwellings, though the ‘standard’ is one space per bedroom, which would total 67 for the 2 and 3-bed apartments proposed**.  They are allowed to claim in their transport statement that the new dwellings would be within “easy walking distance” to the town centre and a foodstore (over the St Augustine’s hill) and public transport (no bus service after  6pm and on Sundays).

People living close-by have objected that it will result in parking on-street in Paget Place and potentially in their own cul-de-sacs.  Vale Officers still indicate 30 spaces plus 6 spaces for visitors are sufficient**.  In a case in Barry (housing on the Windsor Rd church site) the officers suggested people could give up their cars if they find it difficult to park; presumably they give the same excuse in Penarth.

Labour politicians do argue for going easy on parking standards when there’s ‘affordable’/social housing.    Yet at Northcliffe Lodge, the developer is wriggling out of the obligation to provide 40% affordable housing on the argument that the service charges they plan to levy would be over much for social tenants.  

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader, knows this well as Northcliffe is in her ward – curiously, she has not told the officers to stop leaning over backwards to assist this crammed yuppy development.

** Table 1: Accommodation Schedule

Apartment Type-    23 dwellings,  2 bedroom 90 m2 

                                7  dwellings  3 bedroom duplex 126 m2           Total  30

 http://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/PlaRecord.aspx?AppNo=2015/01449/FUL

** see the Council Highway comments of 18^th August

Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards to Northcliffe Penarth

  Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards

In their promotion of new homes – for the housing market rather than for need – the Vale Council leaders must have told their planning officers to by-pass car-parking standards. 

The Northcliffe Lodge developers are allowed to propose just 30 car-spaces for 30 dwellings, though the ‘standard’ is one space per bedroom, which would total 67 for the 2 and 3-bed apartments proposed**.  They are allowed to claim in their transport statement that the new dwellings would be within “easy walking distance” to the town centre and a foodstore (over the St Augustine’s hill) and public transport (no bus service after  6pm and on Sundays).

People living close-by have objected that it will result in parking on-street in Paget Place and potentially in their own cul-de-sacs.  Vale Officers still indicate 30 spaces plus 6 spaces for visitors are sufficient**.  In a case in Barry (housing on the Windsor Rd church site) the officers suggested people could give up their cars if they find it difficult to park; presumably they give the same excuse in Penarth.

Labour politicians do argue for going easy on parking standards when there’s ‘affordable’/social housing.    Yet at Northcliffe Lodge, the developer is wriggling out of the obligation to provide 40% affordable housing on the argument that the service charges they plan to levy would be over much for social tenants.  

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader, knows this well as Northcliffe is in her ward – curiously, she has not told the officers to stop leaning over backwards to assist this crammed yuppy development.

** Table 1: Accommodation Schedule

Apartment Type-    23 dwellings,  2 bedroom 90 m2 

                                7  dwellings  3 bedroom duplex 126 m2           Total  30

 http://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/PlaRecord.aspx?AppNo=2015/01449/FUL

** see the Council Highway comments of 18^th August

Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards to Northcliffe Penarth

  Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards

In their promotion of new homes – for the housing market rather than for need – the Vale Council leaders must have told their planning officers to by-pass car-parking standards. 

The Northcliffe Lodge developers are allowed to propose just 30 car-spaces for 30 dwellings, though the ‘standard’ is one space per bedroom, which would total 67 for the 2 and 3-bed apartments proposed**.  They are allowed to claim in their transport statement that the new dwellings would be within “easy walking distance” to the town centre and a foodstore (over the St Augustine’s hill) and public transport (no bus service after  6pm and on Sundays).

People living close-by have objected that it will result in parking on-street in Paget Place and potentially in their own cul-de-sacs.  Vale Officers still indicate 30 spaces plus 6 spaces for visitors are sufficient**.  In a case in Barry (housing on the Windsor Rd church site) the officers suggested people could give up their cars if they find it difficult to park; presumably they give the same excuse in Penarth.

Labour politicians do argue for going easy on parking standards when there’s ‘affordable’/social housing.    Yet at Northcliffe Lodge, the developer is wriggling out of the obligation to provide 40% affordable housing on the argument that the service charges they plan to levy would be over much for social tenants.  

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader, knows this well as Northcliffe is in her ward – curiously, she has not told the officers to stop leaning over backwards to assist this crammed yuppy development.

** Table 1: Accommodation Schedule

Apartment Type-    23 dwellings,  2 bedroom 90 m2 

                                7  dwellings  3 bedroom duplex 126 m2           Total  30

 http://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/PlaRecord.aspx?AppNo=2015/01449/FUL

** see the Council Highway comments of 18^th August

Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards to Northcliffe Penarth

  Planning Officers fail to apply car-parking standards

In their promotion of new homes, the Vale Council leaders must have told their planning officers to by-pass car-parking standards for the yuppy housing market. 

The Northcliffe Lodge developers are allowed to propose just 30 car-spaces for 30 dwellings, though the ‘standard’ is one space per bedroom, which would total 67 for the 2 and 3-bed apartments proposed**.  They are allowed to claim in their transport statement that the new dwellings would be within “easy walking distance” to the town centre and a foodstore (over the St Augustine’s hill) and public transport (no bus service after  6pm and on Sundays).

People living close-by have objected that it will result in parking on-street in Paget Place and potentially in their own cul-de-sacs.  Vale Officers still indicate 30 spaces plus 6 spaces for visitors are sufficient**.  In a case in Barry (housing on the Windsor Rd church site) the officers suggested people could give up their cars if they find it difficult to park; presumably they give the same excuse in Penarth.

Labour politicians do argue for going easy on parking standards when there’s ‘affordable’/social housing.    Yet at Northcliffe Lodge, the developer is wriggling out of the obligation to provide 40% affordable housing on the argument that the service charges they plan to levy would be over much for social tenants.  

Cllr Lis Burnett, deputy leader, knows this well as Northcliffe is in her ward – curiously, she has not told the officers to stop leaning over backwards to assist this crammed yuppy development.

** Table 1: Accommodation Schedule

Apartment Type-    23 dwellings,  2 bedroom 90 m2 

                                7  dwellings  3 bedroom duplex 126 m2           Total  30

 http://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/PlaRecord.aspx?AppNo=2015/01449/FUL

** see the Council Highway comments of 18^th August

Is that labour Banner at West House legal?

A large new banner appears at West House, raising questions whether this is legal and if this should be investigated. 

In May this year it was reported that the Vale Council were investigating Penarth Trinity Methodist Church banner

There was also a row about advertising banners being installed by builders in Penarth Marina and by Westbourne School on its fences. 

West House is Penarth Town Council’s HQ on Stanwell Road – a building which – over the years – local council-tax and rate-payers have already had to buy twice-over and which recently has had a £££ makeover.  

West House is also used for constituency sessions by Stephen Doughty MP – 

VALE Labour Cllr Lis Burnett
Holds occasional surgeries at
Westhouse   

We don't know if he or the labour Cllrs pay to use it. 

Stephen Doughty MP

The constituency sessions involve the attendance of a member of council staff to open up and lock up afterwards so it’s not cost free.
  Bearing in mind the Vale council is so short of funds it couldn't even provide a few flowers on Penarth roundabout.

Westbourne School banners