Geting-backed scheme would ‘fatally undermine Welsh Government planning policy’

Martin Shipton

A fierce power struggle is taking place behind the scenes over controversial plans backed by Vaughan Gething which opponents fear could seriously undermine the Welsh Government’s planning policies.

NationCymru recently reported that environmental campaigners are eagerly awaiting the decision, which could result in the destruction of a conservation area in east Cardiff and the construction of a railway station in the wrong place.

The company, led by businessman Nigel Roberts, wants to develop Hendre Lakes Business Park and build a large new station called Cardiff Parkway, which would serve express trains to London.

The project was granted planning permission by Cardiff Council in April 2022, but was called in by Julie James, who was then the Welsh Government’s climate change minister. The “call in” means that the decision on the application is being made not by the council but by Planning & Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), the planning inspectorate.

‘Balanced’

When the scheme was approved by Cardiff Council in April 2022, Mr Roberts said: “We are delighted to have achieved a positive outcome at planning committee for this transformational project. Our proposals are for a sustainable, well-connected business district with public transport and active travel at its heart.

“The project will bring investment to an area of ​​Cardiff that needs it, create new employment opportunities and better connect people across this region of South East Wales. Our aim is to deliver convenient and fast services, with high quality customer service, particularly around public transport and active travel, to encourage sustainable transport to become the obvious choice. We look forward to delivering the programme.”

Row

However, as well as strong opposition from environmental groups such as the Cardiff Civic Society, we have also learned of a major dispute within the Welsh Government over the proposed project.

One source told us: “The project was sold as a private sector investment that would cover the costs of a new main station and was therefore a ‘sustainable development’ project. Surprise, surprise it fell through and in practice most of the costs of the station would have fallen to the public purse.”

“There is a good case for a local tube station, although the Civic Society is right in saying that it is in the wrong place, a considerable distance from where people live. And a local ‘walking’ station, such as that proposed for Magor or new tube stations being developed elsewhere, is a drastic difference in scale from the proposed four-platform station.

“(O)ne particular concern is the main station, which has a much larger footprint than the local station. There are concerns that if intercity trains stop at Cardiff Parkway, GWR will consider omitting the stops at Newport or Cardiff Central.

“The proposed development also involves the construction of a 650-space car park on Gwent Levels.

“Economic development officials initially backed the project, with the Welsh Government taking a 10% stake. Senior Labour politicians including Vaughan Gething, Jo Stevens, Stephen Doughty and Russell Goodway are strongly in favour and have emphasised the public transport arguments – mixing up the arguments for the station and the project, and quoting the Burns Report to say it would be part of the Metro. Burns supported the project because of the strong support from the Welsh Government at the time.”

Alternatives to M4

The Burns Commission report on alternatives to the construction of the M4 relief road around Newport recommends improving local transport access along the main line by building Cardiff Parkway and five other new stations between Cardiff Central and the Severn Tunnel Junction.

But a source told us: “It’s simply a project by Nigel Roberts’ family to develop their business park outside the city. The business community (Roberts is a former chairman of Cardiff Business Council) and the Council/City Region are lobbying for this.

“However, a recent report by property services firm Savills has raised serious questions about whether there is currently a market for out-of-town property development on this scale. So Goodway’s latest storyline is a merger of the Rolls Royce submarine project with Parkway, which means that expansion will go elsewhere if it doesn’t go ahead. There is no evidence of that.

“There is significant opposition within the Welsh Government. In addition to the opposition from Natural Resources Wales, there is opposition from the environment/transport side of the Welsh Government.

“The planning inspector’s draft findings supported the application despite it being contrary to planning policy and, unusually, copied the draft report to all supporters, giving them all the grounds for judicial review if the advice was rejected. This led to confusion in planning circles and he was subsequently replaced and a new inspector appointed.

“In summary, a station of this scale is not funded, is not needed and will be detrimental to Newport or Cardiff Central; out-of-town office development led by property is no longer in line with market conditions; and if PEDW supports a 90,000 square metre development on a site of special scientific interest, as is proposed, it will demonstrate that Welsh Government policy is not sound. So much is at stake here.”

Reflection

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “This application is being actively considered and a decision will be announced in due course.”

It is understood that a planning inspector has considered the application and following hearings a report has been submitted to the Welsh Government. As the application is active it would not be appropriate for anyone at the Welsh Government to comment on the merits of the application as this could influence the final decision.

Transport for Wales said it was unable to comment.

A GWR spokesman said: “We fully support this scheme in principle and GWR regional trains will continue to arrive regularly. However, recalling mainline long-distance trains as things stand would likely add seven minutes to each journey.”