Changing Cardiff Bay For better or worse? You decide ! Click me to move on Teachers’ Notes

Challenge! Imagine you and your group represent the local planning committee A number of planning applications have been received In groups examine each application and decide upon advantages and disadvantages for each scheme ! Good luck! Click me to move on

Planning proposal 1 The Council needs to build more housing What are the advantages and disadvantages? Click me to move on

By building in Cardiff Bay on a “brownfield site” it means they don’t have to build new houses on “Greenfield” farm land outside the city. The apartments would be expensive – attracting wealthy single people into the area who work in the bay or other parts of Cardiff. The area would be a good place to live as there is plenty to do and there would be excellent views of the bay from the apartments. More people living in the area would mean more money being spent in local shops, pubs and restaurants. There would have to be a car park provided as well. Cheaper or rented housing wouldn’t bring in enough money as the land is very expensive to buy. Click me to move on

Planning proposal 2 More shops and restaurants? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Click me to move on

Quite a few big retail companies are showing an interest in developing this site. With more people moving into the area and visiting the area there is a need for more shops to serve people. The companies are willing to pay a good price for the land and will pay for the building work as they will make their money later when people start using the shops. There will be a need for a new road junction with traffic lights and a large parking area as most people will be travelling by car. Local people will benefit as they also have a better range of goods to buy at cheaper prices than the existing local shops. Click me to move on

Planning proposal 3 A Tourist Attraction? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Click me to move on

The site would be excellent for developing a tourist attraction. There are already many attractions in the Bay such as Techniquest and the Visitor centre. Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and needs to offer as many attractions to visitors from other countries and around Wales as possible. Tourists bring money into the area and create jobs for people providing services for the tourists. They are also good for the image of the area. One idea is to create an aquarium with underwater viewing beneath the bay. This could be used for education and teaching people about sustainability and looking after the oceans and the natural world. A place for cars and coaches to park would also be needed. Click me to move on

Planning proposal 4 A Nature Reserve? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Click me to move on

Before the barrage was built to create a large freshwater lake, the mudflats were important feeding ground for migrating birds and wildlife habitat. The barrage has destroyed these feeding grounds. Swarms of flies are a problem in the bay area now as there are no predators to eat the larvae that collect on the surface of the water. One idea is to re-create an area of natural salt marsh and wetland habitat at the site that would attract wading birds and help preserve the local bio-diversity. This would be a sustainable answer as it is helping to conserve the natural habitat for future generations. This would not create any money through selling the land but it could be used for education once it was established. Click me to move on

Planning proposal 5 Offices and Businesses? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Click me to move on

The waterfront is an attractive environment for modern businesses. Many companies are showing an interest in developing large, modern office complexes in the area. This will create jobs – particularly for people with university degrees and good qualifications. The improved roads, bridge and tunnel make Cardiff Bay much easier to reach for employees and for moving goods in and out. It is much better to build new offices or factories on “brownfield” sites than have to build on “Greenfield” farmland on the edge of the city. Click me to exit

Teachers Notes Pupils can work in groups to present the advantages and disadvantages for each planning proposal and feedback to a council planning committee (may be made up of adults from the school community) Pupils could be representatives of each group and make a presentation including sketches, plans, maps etc explaining why their planning proposal should be chosen over the others. Back to Start