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Protests Erupt Outside Cardiff Council Meeting Over Education and Planning Issues
Cardiff – Two separate protests took place at County Hall in Cardiff Bay prior to the latest meeting of the city’s full council, focusing on a Welsh-medium school proposal and a controversial planning application for a new data centre.
One group, advocating for the establishment of a Welsh-medium high school in the south of Cardiff, expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as inadequate access to Welsh-medium education in this area. Carl Morris, co-organiser of the Ysgol De Caerdydd campaign, highlighted the existence of Welsh-medium schools in the north, west, and east of Cardiff, but noted the absence of one in the southern part of the city. He stated, “This means that Welsh-medium education is just not as accessible to the families of Grangetown, Butetown, and surrounding areas.”
Morris urged Cardiff Council to take “concrete action” and apply for funding from the Welsh Government to facilitate the establishment of a new school, emphasizing that family circumstances often hinder access to education that is further away.
In response to the protest, a spokesman for Cardiff Council reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Welsh-medium education, stating that the council is in the early stages of planning long-term options for future secondary school provision. The council also noted a significant increase in the number of learners in Welsh-medium secondary schools since 2012.
Simultaneously, approximately 45 members of Acorn, a tenants’ union, protested against a planning application for a new data centre at the former East Cardiff Park and Ride site in Llanrumney. The protestors carried banners stating demands to “Ditch the data centre” and “Save the Park and Ride.” Acorn members expressed concerns over the potential noise and environmental impact associated with the data centre.
One protestor, Lizzie Bailey, articulated the group’s frustrations about the perceived lack of engagement from the council, asserting that in-person meetings might prompt more substantial dialogue than emails and petitions. Another member, Sue Elias, voiced similar concerns, highlighting a general lack of awareness in the community regarding the implications of the proposed data centre.
The council has acknowledged the planning application for the data centre is currently under review, reiterating that no decision has been made yet. A spokesman stated that the application will be evaluated against relevant planning policies, emphasising the importance of public consultation and input from local residents.
The situation remains ongoing as both protests reflect broader concerns regarding local educational provision and development plans within Cardiff.
