Why the Bath House area?
Last updated: 21 May 2008
In the spring of 2008, property development company Liberty Mercian re-submitted a planning application for a £50m scheme to redevelop the Bath House area of Cardigan. Here Emyr Williams of Liberty Mercian explains why the Bath House area was chosen:
"Following Ceredigion County Council's adoption of the UDP as a planning material consideration in January 2007 there are no suitable alternative sites allocated for development in Cardigan.
If another site were to be identified, then it would be possible to apply for planning consent.
However, as the site would necessarily be outside the settlement boundary for Cardigan, there would be a presumption, in planning law, against the granting of consent.
Whilst this does not mean that planning consent would not be obtained ultimately, the process could be expected to take three to five years.
The funding for the hospital is not available forever and a delay of three to five years could well lead to the Welsh Assembly Government withdrawing funding, or directing it to alternative towns.
The only real option of getting the new hospital Cardigan so badly needs now is to support the site that has planning consent and the full support and financial backing of the Trust and Welsh Assembly."
Article written by Emyr Williams
