Park-Ride Plan to Be Dormouse Friendly

A 1,000-space park-and-ride site proposed alongside Cardiff’s Eastern Avenue is set to be given the backing of planners – although protected dormice will not be disturbed.

Work on the Llanrumney side of the A48 near the Pentwyn Interchange is not due to start until the second half of next year because the dormice on the land are hibernating.

A council spokeswoman said there were plans to make alternative space available for the rodents, a European-protected species, including the planting of so-called “dormice-friendly” vegetation.

The scheme, which is part of efforts by the council to persuade more people not to drive into the city centre, has also faced concerns from the Environment Agency, which has lodged a holding objection on flood risk grounds.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency Wales said: “We have been talking to the developers (Cardiff council) and their consultants about this proposal. We need to make sure that the park and ride does not cause flooding problems elsewhere.

“We are currently looking at a flood consequence assessment and a hydraulic model which will show us if the flood risk can be managed. Our initial findings suggest that it can, provided that mitigating works are carried out.

“Our priority is to make sure that any development does not increase the risk of flooding to homes and businesses, putting people and property at risk. We are also reviewing information on any possible impact this development may have on water habitats for wildlife.”

Cardiff’s planning committee, which meets on Wednesday, is being recommended to approve the scheme providing the Environment Agency withdraws its objection.

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