What is the matter with these people?

[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)
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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.

[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..

[ccfc_is_my_life]

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.

[B. Oddie]

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..

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

[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.

[elytillidie]

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..

Couldn't have put it better.

[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.

[The Lone Gunman]

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

[CCFCC3PO]

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

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

[The Bloop]

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.

[bobh]

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.

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.

[Cyclops]

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

[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.

[Cleve van Leef]

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.

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.

[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

[Tuerto]

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.

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

[B. Oddie]

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.

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.

[life on mars]

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 .

[life on mars]

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.

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 .

[goats]

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

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?

[xsnaggle]

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?

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!"!!!

[elytillidie]

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

[goats]

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.

Of which there are lots of choices....

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

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

[UNDERHILL1927]

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