Concerns over loss of ‘green’ for proposed medical centre

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Residents have questioned whether they are being blackmailed into accepting a proposed new medical centre which could see the partial loss of a village green.

Early scoping work for the development in Abertridwr has already secured Welsh Government funding, with the large green space outside Cwmaber Junior School earmarked as the health board’s preferred site.

But residents don’t want to lose ‘the green’, which is regularly used by children from the school and the nearby YMCA.

Aber Valley councillor Charlotte Bishop said a new medical centre is needed, but not at the cost of depriving children and the community of green space.

She said: “There was huge opposition at the last meeting of the Aber Valley Communities Partnership Board, but it looks like the health board will continue to spend public money to develop plans for this site.”

Minutes of the partnership board meeting held in July reveal residents’ feeling ‘blackmailed’ over the proposals – “Is it this site or nothing?”

The medical centre would replace two existing premises of Aber Medical Centre but would not include the Senghenydd branch surgery of Nantgarw Medical Centre, meaning patients living in Senghenydd would still need to travel to the Castle Maen estate, near Castle View.

There is a belief that a covenant on the land might prevent development as it reserves its use for the children of the village. However, evidence of such a covenant has yet to be found.

Around 50% of the green could be lost to the development.

Alternative sites in the village, such as the Workmen’s Hall and the Coleg y Cymoedd building have been suggested, but it is understood the health board will continue with plans for the green.

According to documents submitted to the Welsh Government by the health board, the final cost of the new medical centre could be as much as £11 million, with £250,000 budgeted for ‘land acquisition’.

Caerphilly’s Senedd Member Hefin David said he will be attending the next meeting of Aber Valley Communities Partnership Board and has called on the health board to fully explain the reasons for its site choice.

He said: “It is crucial for the health board to have full answers to residents’ questions as to why other sites are deemed unsuitable.

“I will be finding out as much as I can about the development ahead of this meeting and will do all I can to ensure the community can make an informed decision about this project’s future.”

Once the project has been developed, the health board can then apply for further Welsh Government funding before submitting a planning application to Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The new centre could be ready within two to three years’ time if the scheme progresses. A full public consultation is likely to go ahead before any plans are finalised and submitted.

The next meeting of the Aber Valley Communities Partnership Board is due to take place on Wednesday September 11.

A spokesperson for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said: “We are currently surveying the site to establish whether it is a suitable location for a new Health and Well-Being Centre to serve the local community.

“We would like to make it clear that no decision has been made and we are still in the very early stages of assessing feasibility.

“A representative from the health board will attend a community meeting next week to provide an update and to listen to the views of local residents.”