Apologies for the silence over the last few weeks, but we have been working hard in the background, submitting further questions, reviewing the information received and pursuing additional clarification through the appropriate channels.

Unfortunately, we still have not received satisfactory answers to a number of key questions regarding the evidence base, proportionality and conservation assessment underpinning the Y Groes bollard scheme.

FOI Response Findings

We’ve now received a further FOI response from Cardiff Council regarding the Y Groes bollard scheme.

The response raises some striking points.

🔹 The Council confirms that when advice was provided on the scheme there were no Conservation Officers in post.

🔹 Despite Y Groes being within the Rhiwbina Garden Village Conservation Area, we have still not seen evidence of a formal conservation-led assessment, a documented proportionality analysis, or a detailed assessment of alternative, less visually intrusive approaches.

🔹 The Council’s explanation for making the scheme “less visually intrusive” appears to be that bollard spacing was increased from 1.2m to 1.5m, rather than that alternative solutions were considered.

Consultation Results

Perhaps most surprising of all, the consultation generated just five responses relating specifically to the Y Groes bollards.

Of those five responses:

• Two supported the bollards.

• Three raised concerns about cost, proportionality, emergency access, or whether public money should be spent on a scheme benefiting a small number of residents.

In other words, based on the Council’s own disclosure, only five consultation responses were received and the majority raised concerns rather than expressing support.

Conservation Context

Y Groes is located within the Rhiwbina Garden Village Conservation Area. Given the permanent and highly visible nature of the intervention, many residents may reasonably ask whether five consultation responses, the absence of Conservation Officers at the time advice was provided, and the apparent lack of a formal conservation-led assessment constitute a sufficiently robust basis for the decision.

Next Steps

We will continue seeking clarification from Cardiff Council’s Conservation Team and from Cadw regarding how conservation duties, heritage considerations and proportionality were assessed in reaching this decision.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support, contribute information and take an interest in protecting the special character of Rhiwbina Garden Village.