A date has been set for discussions that could decide the future of a multi-million pound Cardiff railway development. The two-day call-in hearing about the Cardiff Parkway railway station development, which is proposed for land to the south of St Mellons Business Park, has been set for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11 and 12.
Plans for the wider business park scheme, of which the railway station is proposed to be a part of, were approved by Cardiff Council in April 2022. However, the plans were put on hold when the Welsh Government called in the application in October.
Planning applications are normally called in for determination by the Welsh Government if they are deemed to be of more than local importance. During the hearing, which is set to take place at County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Planning and Environment Decisions Wales inspectors will be looking at whether the development complies with Cardiff's local development plan and the national development plan, Future Wales.
Read more: ''I am frustrated, frankly': Cardiff Council leader on delay to Parkway station plans'
The planning inspector will also be looking at whether the proposed compensation measures would mitigate the impact of the development on the Rumney and Peterstone Site of Special Scientific Interest. When the application was called in last year, the director of Cardiff Parkway Developments, Andrew Roberts, said he was disappointed with the Welsh Government's decision.
Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, also expressed his frustration when the plans were put on hold last year. More recently, the leader said: "From the outset I’ve always been clear that delivering Parkway – a station that could serve 800,000 rail passengers a year and transform travel options from the east of Cardiff into the city, reducing car-dependence and improving air quality, is an essential requirement if we are to build a modern, transport system for Wales’s capital city which is fit for purpose.
“The council has always acknowledged that this is an important and environmentally sensitive area; designated nationally a site of Special Scientific Interest. Through working collaboratively, we believe this scheme will deliver much needed and transformational travel choices in the east of the city, whilst also preserving and enhancing the natural environment.
"This analysis was confirmed by the Burns Commission when they considered how to ease traffic volumes on the M4." The opening date for the business park and Cardiff Parkway railway station was originally earmarked for 2024.
If it is ultimately allowed to go ahead, it is hoped the business park will provide about 6,000 jobs and improve transport connections between the east of Cardiff and the city centre. Cllr Thomas added: "It is important to stress that this area has been designated as employment land within our current LDP, which was developed through rigorous engagement both with the public and with Welsh Government Planning inspectors.
"If local decision-making is to count for anything, then I expect the Planning Inspector to endorse the decision taken by the council’s planning committee. In so doing they will have the full support of local elected representatives, my administration, and indeed the wider city region.
“In short, this project is an opportunity to not just deliver a critical piece of sustainable transport infrastructure, but also to provide a huge range of jobs on the doorstep of some of the poorest communities in Wales, whilst enhancing local biodiversity. There are social, environmental and economic reasons why it should go ahead."
The hearing will open at 10am on Tuesday and resume at 9.30am the following day.
