Development on Aberystwyth University's Penglais Campus - a retrospective

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In another post concerns were raised over the future of Llanbadarn Campus. However the University's Penglais campus, visited and used by many thousands of people every year, is increasingly under threat of development. There are rumours of new buildings, though no official announcements have taken place. Any new buildings would impact on greenfield sites. Even if they were built on a car park, a car park would then be created on a greenfield site (as happened with the International Politics building), so the impact on green sites is the same. Below are some images cataloguing a few of the changes and views of the last ten years, in no particular order. CIN members would like to thank everyone who submitted photos and information for this piece - please keep the photos and comments coming in. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is covered in separate posts.

The view across the campus. It shows clearly why the green spaces should be maintained, not built on.

Mid-Wales transport consultation

TraCC is the transport consortium for the Mid Wales region. They are currently seeking views on the draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP). Anybody who wants to comment on it can do so by downloading the form here and returning it to them by 31st October 2008. If you want priority to be given to public transport, walking and cycling then now is your chance to say so!

Cwmpadarn School's controversial car park

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Below is the coverage from the Cambrian News, 23rd October 2008, page 11 (click to enlarge - this applies to all images on this page).

In that article the school Governor, Ben Davies, makes a number of misleading comments in an attempt to deny the ineptitude of the school administration in reducing school traffic on an unsuitable road.

Ysgol Cwmpadarn - misled by Estyn, or just mistaken?

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This is an update on the Ysgol Cwmpadarn situation covered on 12 October, where the school was found to be digging up a green bank on a rural lane in order to build car parking spaces. There has been a lot of support from locals for raising this issue, with some of them becoming vocal about their irritation caused by the school traffic which makes it hard for them to leave for work in the morning; others were just disappointed to see a pleasant grassy bank ripped up by diggers. It seems that the school has created some bad feeling

The issue has been raised with Estyn, and Ceredigion County Council's departments of Highways, Property and Works, and Education and Community Services. The issue has also been featured in the Cambrian News.

What will be the fate of Aberystwyth University's Llanbadarn Campus?

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This week the bulldozers moved in on Aberystwyth University's Llanbadarn Campus halls of residence, home to so many students over the years. The demolition of the halls is expected to take many weeks.

What will be the long-term fate of the campus? There has been no announcement from the University yet, and no consultation with residents of Llanbadarn Fawr, so it is impossible to say what the current plans of the University are. There are many other questions. Will those demolishing the halls damage any of the green areas and trees? Will the campus be replaced with a housing estate? What will be the impact on Coleg Ceredigion, University Departments and the local community? Will the current green spaces on the beautiful campus be retained and protected? CIN members will be monitoring developments on the campus.

School traffic, car parks, and disdain for local communities

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We have covered school runs before. However there have been some disturbing new developments re: Cwmpadarn Primary School, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberywtsyth. Yesterday a digger was seen digging up a grassy embankment by the school (photos below). Upon investigation a school Governor said that the school was digging it up to make more car park spaces, and that this had been a recommendation from Estyn for many years.

Cambrian Mountains - open for rally cars?

[Image from BirminghamUK.com]

Ian Mole of Welsh Country Magazine has asked for more exposure of the proposal from the Welsh Assembly and Ceredigion County Council to allow far more access to the Cambrian Mountain, to the detriment of the natural environment. Ceredigion County Council is accepting comments over a consultation period on the draft strategy ending on 13th October 2008, so please read on if you want to know more, and consider sending your comments to the council by that date. The text below was written by Ian Mole.