> Agenda Item No.

 

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL

 

CABINET: 8TH NOVEMBER, 2006

 

REFERENCE FROM PLANNING COMMITTEE: 18TH OCTOBER, 2006

 

            "NORTH AND WEST CARDIFF - AREA TRANSPORT STUDY (REF) -

 

Cabinet had been advised of the above group, which had been established by the Welsh Assembly Government.  It had also been informed in January 2006 that the Welsh Assembly Government was to establish a working group to consider key traffic issues arising from a proposal to develop an internal business park on land north of junction 34 of the M4.  In response to the proposals and as a consequence of the likely impact that the development could have in the wider highway network, WAG had commissioned consultants to advise them on the transport issues that would be likely to be associated with the proposal.  WAG had also established a working group to ensure that neighbouring authorities (Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff and the Vale of Glamorgan) were made aware of the work being undertaken by Halcrow Group Limited, consultants appointed by WAG.  Since February 2006 four meetings had been held and a copy of the conclusions and recommendations of Halcrow Group Limited's report were appended at Appendix A to the report.  The key findings of the Halcrow Group report which had been undertaken on behalf of WAG and related to the Vale of Glamorgan were detailed as below:

 

1.         The need to assess existing traffic demand at key junctions in the sub-region, including the operation of four key functions mainly on the M4 i.e. J32, J33 and J34 and the Culverhouse Cross interchange.

 

2.         The need to include traffic impacts of other key existing and proposed developments with particular emphasis on the Sports Village and Cardiff City Football Club and associated retail developments in Leckwith, when assessing existing traffic conditions and future demand on the network.

 

3.         A detailed analysis of the impact of the business park proposal on the operation at Culverhouse Cross would be required, and this analysis has to include a consideration of issues relating to access to Cardiff International Airport.

 

As a result of the report, Cabinet made the following resolutions

 

"(1)      T H A T the content of this report and of the Halcrow Group Limited report produced on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government be noted with great concern particularly with regard to the far-reaching implications of the proposal and the serious implications for the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

(2)       T H A T any further works undertaken in assessing the transportation impact of the proposed developments of the international business park at land to the north of J33 of the M4 must take into full account the impact on J33 of the M4, the A4232 Ely Link, Culverhouse Cross interchange and approaches to it, as well as the impact on J34 and approaches to this junction from the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

(3)       T H A T a copy of the report be referred to the Planning Committee and to Sewta for information.

 

(4)       T H A T Halcrow Group Limited and relevant officers be invited to update Cabinet Members on the proposal.

 

(5)       T H A T the WAG be informed of the serious concerns of the Council of the potential impact of the proposals on the strategic access into the Vale of Glamorgan.  Furthermore, that WAG be reminded of the impact of previous proposals at Culverhouse Cross, Leckwith Junction and Cogan Junction on strategic access to the Vale of Glamorgan and that in the light of this, WAG be informed that this Council will be requesting that any planning application be "called in" for determination by the Assembly.

 

(6)       T H A T a letter be sent to all Assembly Members and relevant MPs outlining the Council's concerns at these proposals."

 

In consideration of the reference from Cabinet, and it being noted that the junction referred to in the report should have read 33 and not 34 the Planning Committee.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the report and Cabinet resolutions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T Cabinet be requested in respect of resolution 4 to invite Members of the Planning Committee to a meeting when Cabinet Members are updated on the proposal by the Halcrow Group Limited."