Petition to reject planning permission for Live Events in Blackweir Fields

Petition to REJECT planning application 26/00507/FUL

We the undersigned ask the Cardiff LPA Planning Committee to reject Planning Application 26/00507/FUL seeking temporary use of part of Blackweir Fields for Live Events.

We welcome the opportunity for Cardiff residents and others to listen to world class music, but Blackweir Fields (part of Bute Park) is not an appropriate location for such an event. Specifically,

• Access to a large area of public green space will be lost or inconvenienced for several weeks at the height of summer.

• Bute Park was gifted to our city for public enjoyment and quiet recreation, not for commercial events.

• Blackweir Fields is ecologically sensitive land adjacent to ancient woodland and designated wildlife habitat. Birds, bats and waxcap grassland will be affected. The ecological assessment and mitigation do not comply with statutory biodiversity duties.

• Noise generated over 100 complaints last year, but the Noise Mitigation Strategy has not been published.

• Transport was last year poorly planned compared with other city centre events, causing congestion and disruption.

• Last year saw substantial waste, much of it plastic, and damage to playing pitches.

• The proposals for ground preparation and reinstatement lack detail and may not suffice to restore land after a wet summer.

• Granting permission until 2031 will not allow lessons to be learnt after each event.