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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.