What is the matter with these people?

Having somewhere to walk your dog or treating cancer patients in Wales
People protest against the building of a new cancer hospital on Cardiff meadows

The new Velindre hospital is planned on a site known as the Northern Meadows in Cardiff

Over 100 people are currently attending (Image: Mark Lewis)
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Over 300 people joined a Saturday morning protest against the building of a £180m cancer hospital in the north of Cardiff.

The new Velindre cancer hospital is planned built on a green fields site known as the Northern Meadows between Whitchurch Hospital and Asda at Coryton.

The facility is set to replace the current 60-year-old Velindre Cancer Centre.

Though the plans were approved by Cardiff Council in 2018, many residents from the campaign group Save the Northern Meadows say that the plans will cause "irreversible damage" to what is undoubtedly a beautiful area.

Many residents are also in favour of the scheme which support say is deseratly needed to accommodate the growing number of cancer patients in Wales. The new facility would be twice as big as the current hospital with a capacity for 8,500 new patients and 160,000 patient appointments a year.
It is a colourful occasion (Image: Mark Lewis)
People are gathering to protest the new hospital (Image: Mark Lewis)

The Save the Northern Meadows campaign group says it will damage wildlife, cause traffic problems and lead to a loss of green space.

Todays protest, called Stand Up for the Meadows, started at 10.30am. Those taking part are asked to stay at least five-metres apart and to wear a face covering.

Live updates below
11:16
Police are in attendance

There are four police officers at the scene but there is no trouble at all.

Everyone seems to be socially distancing and enjoying the lovely environment and weather.

A few chats of “save our meadow” have broken out.
11:10
There are between 300-500 people at the protest

There seems to have been a very good turnout at protest. Only 100 indicated there would be attending on the Facebook event but many seem to have brought their families.

Our photographer at the meadows says that there are up to 500 people there.

There's nothing 'the matter' with them. They're protesting against the loss of probably the only true wild part of our City than people can walk through. It's undoubtedly the most beautiful walk in the area and a wonderful place to open your lungs, forget your troubles, and see nature at it's best. It's not just about 'walking the dog', it almost certainly contributes significantly to many people's mental well-being.
The council and NHS has several other options including brownfield sites, but opted for this one as nature can't protest..

Plus traffic issues, as was mentioned.

People are all very happy to whine about NIMBYism whilst ignoring very real problems caused that affect others lives.

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

There's nothing 'the matter' with them. They're protesting against the loss of probably the only true wild part of our City than people can walk through. It's undoubtedly the most beautiful walk in the area and a wonderful place to open your lungs, forget your troubles, and see nature at it's best. It's not just about 'walking the dog', it almost certainly contributes significantly to many people's mental well-being.
The council and NHS has several other options including brownfield sites, but opted for this one as nature can't protest..

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I agree. There's plenty of Brown Field around Cardiff to develop on.

I totally agree with them. It doesn't need to be there. Why lose more green fields, when there's plenty of other places to put it? Let's be honest, it should be on an industrial estate somewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

There's nothing 'the matter' with them. They're protesting against the loss of probably the only true wild part of our City than people can walk through. It's undoubtedly the most beautiful walk in the area and a wonderful place to open your lungs, forget your troubles, and see nature at it's best. It's not just about 'walking the dog', it almost certainly contributes significantly to many people's mental well-being.
The council and NHS has several other options including brownfield sites, but opted for this one as nature can't protest..

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Couldn't have put it better.:thumbup:

Others with more knowledge of the place than me might be able to put me right here, but I don't get why they need to build a new hospital - what's wrong with the old one?

Edit, I see the new hospital would be twice as big as the current one, but I can understand why people are unhappy with the proposed site for it.

What is the matter with these people? The answer is absolutely nothing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by B. Oddie

I agree. There's plenty of Brown Field around Cardiff to develop on.

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Yes, I hope their protest is successful and I hope they find a more suitable site for the larger hospital.

It's an easy solution for velindre as they own the land and were granted planning permission about 20 years ago. I think they also own the land that Whitchurch Hospital but dont seem interested in building the hospital there.
Nothing wrong with these people at all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Others with more knowledge of the place than me might be able to put me right here, but I don't get why they need to build a new hospital - what's wrong with the old one?

Edit, I see the new hospital would be twice as big as the current one, but I can understand why people are unhappy with the proposed site for it.

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Apart from the size for extra patients, i think the driving force is t install a proton beam facility, which is much more accurate thanblasting radiotherapy beams at the cancerous area.

I walk these meadows up to four times a week. It's a wonderful local amenity - but I recognise that it is not a public right and that the land is owned by someone.
I agree that a new hospital which caters for cancer patients from all over Wales is necessary (a neighbour who is a nurse practitioner says Velindre Hospital is past its sell-by date) but it could be built on many other sites in S Wales countryside.
"The submitted plans cover new road and car parking layouts at the Asda store in Coryton where the main access to the new Velindre Cancer Centre will be when it is due to open in 2024'. But new plans seem to indicate another access road via the Hollybush Estate and Pendywallt Road. Now that would make a huge difference to local traffic flow.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...eadow-18387354

One of those things isn't it, if you live local you don't want it in your backyard, also may use the area for walking, though probably more have done last few months than ever before.

If you don't live local you didnt know the area existed and are happy for something like a cancer centre to be built or at the very least couldn't care either way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Others with more knowledge of the place than me might be able to put me right here, but I don't get why they need to build a new hospital - what's wrong with the old one?

Edit, I see the new hospital would be twice as big as the current one, but I can understand why people are unhappy with the proposed site for it.

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They need to build another because Velindre is way too small for the number of patients who need their therapy there, it is the only one in Wales specialising in cancer care, it just can’t cope.

AsBloop noted above planning permission was granted for the land 20 years ago after a public enquiry.

If the hospital isn’t built there the land will be used to build houses.

It’s los lose for the locals because whichever way the hospital board decides to go there will be a massive building site there For years.

Protesting now seems to me to be a little late

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Igovernor

Having somewhere to walk your dog or treating cancer patients in Wales
People protest against the building of a new cancer hospital on Cardiff meadows

The new Velindre hospital is planned on a site known as the Northern Meadows in Cardiff

Over 100 people are currently attending (Image: Mark Lewis)
Enter your postcode for local news and info

Over 300 people joined a Saturday morning protest against the building of a £180m cancer hospital in the north of Cardiff.

The new Velindre cancer hospital is planned built on a green fields site known as the Northern Meadows between Whitchurch Hospital and Asda at Coryton.

The facility is set to replace the current 60-year-old Velindre Cancer Centre.

Though the plans were approved by Cardiff Council in 2018, many residents from the campaign group Save the Northern Meadows say that the plans will cause "irreversible damage" to what is undoubtedly a beautiful area.

Many residents are also in favour of the scheme which support say is deseratly needed to accommodate the growing number of cancer patients in Wales. The new facility would be twice as big as the current hospital with a capacity for 8,500 new patients and 160,000 patient appointments a year.
It is a colourful occasion (Image: Mark Lewis)
People are gathering to protest the new hospital (Image: Mark Lewis)

The Save the Northern Meadows campaign group says it will damage wildlife, cause traffic problems and lead to a loss of green space.

Todays protest, called Stand Up for the Meadows, started at 10.30am. Those taking part are asked to stay at least five-metres apart and to wear a face covering.

Live updates below
11:16
Police are in attendance

There are four police officers at the scene but there is no trouble at all.

Everyone seems to be socially distancing and enjoying the lovely environment and weather.

A few chats of “save our meadow” have broken out.
11:10
There are between 300-500 people at the protest

There seems to have been a very good turnout at protest. Only 100 indicated there would be attending on the Facebook event but many seem to have brought their families.

Our photographer at the meadows says that there are up to 500 people there.

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Half of those ****erslook like they could do with running a few laps of the 'Northern Meadows'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trigger

One of those things isn't it, if you live local you don't want it in your backyard, also may use the area for walking, though probably more have done last few months than ever before.

If you don't live local you didnt know the area existed and are happy for something like a cancer centre to be built or at the very least couldn't care either way.

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It's about wildlife for me. We really need to be paying more attention to and valuing the eco-system. Once it's gone, it's incredibly difficult, and perhaps impossible to restore.

Pre this announcement and Covid lockdown the meadow was usually void of people , if the new hospital can be built in a thoughtful way thd area still used as a walk though park ( ,which I believe the plan is ) if could be a win win , good fir Wales and its need to improve cancer care , may well bring some extra jobs in as well .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trigger

One of those things isn't it, if you live local you don't want it in your backyard, also may use the area for walking, though probably more have done last few months than ever before.

If you don't live local you didnt know the area existed and are happy for something like a cancer centre to be built or at the very least couldn't care either way.

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I'm local and many others are up for it , hence the small ish petition and protests , eighty eight thousand live in North Cardiff .

I just hope the many dog walkers who know use the area more than before , pick up the dodgy dog's and control their animals in a considerate way .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by light up the darkness

AsBloop noted above planning permission was granted for the land 20 years ago after a public enquiry.

If the hospital isn’t built there the land will be used to build houses.

It’s los lose for the locals because whichever way the hospital board decides to go there will be a massive building site there For years.

Protesting now seems to me to be a little late

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If it’s a choice of houses or a much needed cancer hospital surely it’s a no brainier? Aside from this why dontt they just built it on the massive old Whitchurch hospital site?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goats

If it’s a choice of houses or a much needed cancer hospital surely it’s a no brainier? Aside from this why dontt they just built it on the massive old Whitchurch hospital site?

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That's even closer to existing dwellings so might be more disruptive. But knowing Mr Drakeford he will probably allow another enquiry and then put it on the pile with the M4 Relief road. The rest of UK will be building major infrastructure projects to rebuild the economy and we will be paying extra taxes to pay all the people who are unemployed because there are none being built here.
They have had all this time to press forward with the commuter rail upgrading in an open air reduced risk environment and they have done nothing!"!!!

Dreadful news.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/h...nning-20212469
Controversial Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff given approval by Welsh Government

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tforturton

I totally agree with them. It doesn't need to be there. Why lose more green fields, when there's plenty of other places to put it? Let's be honest, it should be on an industrial estate somewhere.

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Of which there are lots of choices....

People dealing with serious life threatening illness like cancer , mental health , heart problems , children's life limiting conditions should be given , if possible , the best treatment , in the best location

For someone from say Bridgend a site with easy access off the motorway makes sense for someone in east cardiff which has poor transport links , that would be difficult if they relied on buses

A semi rural site might be better for patients to relax following treatment , for the delivery of supplies and for staff an ex industrial unit might be better

Its all very complicated

They are protesting against the planned placing of the unit, not against treating cancer. There is nothing the matter with them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goats

Of which there are lots of choices....

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Totally agree. Walked the meadows & canal yesterday. It was alive with birdsong, the beginning of the early summer showing of wild flowers. I heard the rattle of a woodpecker in the trees. Beautiful unspoilt meadow and woodland, yet so many other places where this could have been built, including within existing hospitals which was the preferred option of the senior doctors.

It's startling how readily Cardiff Council is covering over green spaces in the City and surrounding areas. 41,000 homes being built with now . I also read [forget where] of another 5,000 homes in the City being given planning permission. We all need places to live, but another 50,000 homes ? It's all about the money sadly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elytillidie

Dreadful news.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/h...nning-20212469
Controversial Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff given approval by Welsh Government

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I can’t say I find it dreadful news - in fact the opposite but do feel for the locals.

Great news for cancer care in South Wales

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goats

If it’s a choice of houses or a much needed cancer hospital surely it’s a no brainier? Aside from this why dontt they just built it on the massive old Whitchurch hospital site?

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The buildings on the old Whitchurch hospital site are listed. Conveniently they are listed individually and not as a single listing, do would have to be preserved on that basis. The requirements of the new facility (so I've read) wouldn't fit in the buildings.
I just dont think theyve tried hard enough to find an alternate solution, either there or at another site, to that decided on Friday

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Bloop

The buildings on the old Whitchurch hospital site are listed. Conveniently they are listed individually and not as a single listing, do would have to be preserved on that basis. The requirements of the new facility (so I've read) wouldn't fit in the buildings.
I just dont think theyve tried hard enough to find an alternate solution, either there or at another site, to that decided on Friday

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Why should they have to? That’s the site they selected and it’s then down to the planners to decide whether it’s got any merit.


It’s not a huge site so whilst I do sympathise, I don’t get the huge furore

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

Why should they have to? That’s the site they selected and it’s then down to the planners to decide whether it’s got any merit.

It’s not a huge site so whilst I do sympathise, I don’t get the huge furore

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I dont think the outcry would have been to this extent if it hadn't been for the lockdown and many people using the 'Meadows' for their daily walk.
Both Facebook groups have been entertaining too. I got banned (like many others apparently) for trying to debate the development on the pro-development site. That site is run (I think) by the wife of one of the directors of the development company. The admins of the 'save' site didnt like my opinion that all the flags and banners make it look a mess and will scare birds away from their nesting sites.
Yes it's a shame for those who use the area, but it is probably the right decision.

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Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman

What is the matter with these people? The answer is absolutely nothing.

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that block of flats where you live ?

What do you think it was built on ?

Jelly ?