Mark Drakeford AM and Kevin Brennan MP

Cardiff West Constituency Office 395 Cowbridge Road East

CF5 1JG

Mark Drakeford AM and Kevin Brennan MP Councillor Michael Michael Chair of Planning Committee Cardiff Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW.

11.05.2015 Dear Councillor Michael, RE: Creigiau Quarry, application ref: 15/01953/MJR We are grateful for the meeting that you arranged with officers to discuss the current status of Creigiau Quarry, and the opportunity this allowed us to raise with you the concerns of our constituents. Further to that meeting, we are aware that a formal planning application (Reference 15/01953/MJR) has now been submitted. We understand that existing permissions would already permit the re-opening of the quarry, and that the new application presents an opportunity for the council to secure, in negotiation with the quarry owners, improved environmental protection and other changes to the permissions in order to serve the public interest. We have been contacted by a number of our constituents who have raised concerns about renewed quarrying in the vicinity of Creigiau and Pentyrch. We would be grateful if you would ensure that these concerns are given thorough consideration in the determination of the application. We understand that the council intend to seek improved environmental protection. We would urge the council to ensure that active monitoring of the environmental impact is carried out alongside any plans to recommence mineral extraction, to ensure that residents do not experience unacceptable levels of traffic congestion, noise and air pollution. Whilst the availability of aggregates is important for the local economy and for provision of essential infrastructure, it is important carefully to balance this need with the need to protect the environment and the health and wellbeing of people living in areas directly affected by mineral extraction. The increased usage of Heol Pant-y-Gored by heavy goods vehicle is of great concern to my constituents living in this part of Creigiau. As well as the congestion that may result, they are especially concerned about road safety. The road at this point is narrow and although there is a slender pavement on one side, this is intersected by driveways. This means that vehicles are known to mount the kerb and present a danger to pedestrians. Anything which could be done to improve the position for Heol Pant-y-Gored residents, through this application, would be a very important outcome. These road safety concerns are compounded by the close proximity, at the North end of Heol Pant-y-Gored, of the entrance to the quarry road and the entrance to the recreation ground. Individuals who have contacted us are understandably concerned that children may be walking or playing in the

Mark Drakeford AM and Kevin Brennan MP

Cardiff West Constituency Office 395 Cowbridge Road East

CF5 1JG

path of very large vehicles at a point where visibility is limited as the road curves. Clearly such a situation is unacceptable and we hope the council will take this opportunity to ensure that works as necessary are carried out to ensure the safety of children and their families who may use the recreation ground. Some of my constituents have called into question the accuracy of some of the information contained within the application with respect to the distances between where blasting will take place and where the nearest residential accommodation is located. We hope that the committee will ensure that council officers have checked this information for accuracy so that the planning authoritys decision is based on sound data. We have also been contacted by constituents living in Pentyrch who have expressed their concern about the impact of quarrying on the air quality for children attending Pentyrch Primary School. The planning application provides an opportunity to ensure that suitable arrangements are put in place for regular monitoring of air quality and dust levels to ensure that the health of children is not in any way put at risk. Given the concerns of residents in both Creigiau and Pentrych, we hope that the local authority might be able to use this opportunity to ensure that the operating hours proposed for the quarry are sensitive to the right which people have to live their lives free from unreasonable noise and disturbance. In our view, the hours of operation currently proposed would not meet that test. We are grateful if these comments could be taken into consideration by the committee in the determination of this planning application. Yours,

Mark Drakeford AM for Cardiff West Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff West