Protesters against plans to develop a park and ride at Ystrad Mynach Railway Station insist they “won’t compromise” on losing part of a school playing field.
Children, governors parents and residents gathered outside Caerphilly County Borough Council’s AGM yesterday, May 14.
They are angry that a proposed access road will cut through Ystrad Mynach Primary School’s field, which is also used by other schools and organisations.
The road could permanently divide the field, raising concerns about increased traffic and the removal of leisure facilities.
Brenda Thomas, Chair of the school’s governors, said: “We’re not talking about the welfare of one or two children, we’re talking about the wellbeing of 800 children.
“It’s very bad that they can sacrifice the welfare of these children for 120 car parking spaces.
“We’ve got a huge fight on our hands but we can’t not put up a bit of resistance.”
Susan Mills, an ex-warden and current communicant of the Holy Trinity Church said she was concerned about parking for funerals and disabled access should the road go ahead.
Parent of three Robert Symes, who lives on Church View Estate, said: “It (the playing field) is the closest thing that Ystrad has got to a village green.
“It will effect their learning, it’s the only place they can go outside of school to study wildlife and they have their sports day there.
“Ystrad is an overdeveloped town now.”
In plans, to be discussed by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet, council officers refute that the road would mean the loss of the field, saying there will still be space for a football/rugby pitch.
But parents are concerned that adding a road through the field will mean each area of the park will be surrounded by three roads not one as it is currently.
School governor Cerys Sage said: “We’re essentially losing a third of the playing field. They want us as governors to compromise, but we won’t compromise.”
The protest was organised by Plaid Cymru councillor Martyn James who said he was “appalled” at the proposals.
He said: “I’m very concerned about the loss of green spaces for our children and future generations.
“Ystrad Mynach has lost more green spaces in the last ten years than any other town or village.
“It’s Welsh Government policy for children to be healthy so this is a backward step. It’s not just the children, it’s the church and community that will be affected.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “Cabinet members will meet on Wednesday May 20 to discuss this proposal.
“We would also emphasise section 8.3 of the report which goes to cabinet, detailing what the process would involve should the scheme proceed.
Section 8.3 reads: “Should the scheme proceed the access road would require planning permission.
“A public consultation would be undertaken as part of the planning process and Welsh Government has indicated it would hold a public exhibition for the scheme for the local community, this being over and above the normal practice required.”
The full report can be read on Caerphilly County Borough council’s website.