Consultation launches on protecting Rhiwbina green space

An eight-week public consultation has been launched on plans to protect Heol Llanishen Fach Children's Playground and Field in Rhiwbina and 10 other parks in Cardiff.

Two other parks in our area, Hailey Park in Llandaff North and Rhydepenau Park in Cyncoed, are also included.

As we reported in May, Cardiff Council wants to ensure these sites remain publicly accessible green spaces.

Subject to the results of the consultation, the council is proposing to enter into a legal agreement known as ‘deed of dedication' with Fields In Trust - an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to the protection of parks and green spaces.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Council would have to maintain the land for the purposes of outdoor leisure and recreation only - meaning it could not be sold for development or developed by the council.

Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "Our plan would more than double the number of city parks which are protected from development and mean that 254,000 residents - 69% of the population - live within a 10-minute walk of protected green space."

The parks proposed for this protection are:

• Cemetery Park (Adamsdown)

• Craiglee Drive (Butetown)

• Trelai Park (Caerau)

• Sanatorium Park (Canton)

• Rhydypenau Park (Cyncoed)

• Fairwater Park (Fairwater)

• Hailey Park (Llandaff North)

• Parc Waun Fach (Pentwyn)

• Westfield Park (Pentyrch & St Fagans)

• Heol Llanishen Fach (Rhiwbina)

• Caerleon Park (Trowbridge).

Ownership, management and maintenance of the sites would remain with Cardiff Council.

Huw Thomas continued: "Selling parks for development is not on the agenda, but we do not know what a different administration with different priorities might want to do in the future. Protecting these sites with Fields in Trust now will ensure they are always protected for future generations to enjoy.

"This could be a really positive step, but before we go any further, it's important that residents have the opportunity to share their views."

You can learn more about the plans, and share your views in a short online survey here. It closes on 2 September.

Ten council-owned sites are already permanently protected by Fields In Trust. They are: Alexandra Gardens, Grange Gardens, Heath Park, Hywel Dda Open Space, Llanishen Park, Moorland Park, Pontcanna Fields, Pontprennau Fields, Roath Recreation Ground, and Rumney Recreation Ground.

Creigiau Recreation Ground and Old St Mellons Playing Field are also protected in this way. These sites are managed by local community councils.

Photo from the official opening of the refurbished Heol Llanishen Fach Playground in June 2023 by Jayne Cowan.