{"id":31557,"date":"2019-02-01T15:48:50","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T15:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=31557"},"modified":"2019-02-01T15:48:50","modified_gmt":"2019-02-01T15:48:50","slug":"dont-demolish-our-historic-pavilion-say-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/02\/01\/dont-demolish-our-historic-pavilion-say-residents\/","title":{"rendered":"Don't demolish our historic pavilion, say residents"},"content":{"rendered":"

The demolition of an historic Victorian pavilion in Penarth is being opposed by local residents.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe building in\u00a0Belle Vue Park, currently used by several community groups, is earmarked for a \u00a3680,000 redevelopment project.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe demolition is opposed however, by Penarth Matters, a local action group.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cWe could end up with a modern eyesore that is totally unsuitable for a park in a conservation area,\u201d said the group.\u00a0<\/span>
\nFunding for the project comes from the <\/span><\/span>Penarth Heights development<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\nPenarth Matters would rather the current building\u00a0was\u00a0renovated,\u00a0to keep the original period design and any remaining\u00a0money\u00a0be spent improving other local facilities.\u00a0<\/span>
\nResident, Anna Howell, 57 said: \u201cI don\u2019t mind it being knocked down, but (the development) must be sympathetically built to reflect Penarth’s heritage and the surrounding area.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cThere are quite a few new \u2018modern\u2019 builds in Penarth which to be honest are totally hideous and we\u00a0Penarthians\u00a0are at a total loss as to how they got planning permission – we love our town and its heritage.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
\nVale of Glamorgan council says that the building is \u201creaching the end of its physical life\u201d\u00a0and has\u00a0problems such as asbestos and general dilapidation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\nIn order to make the site sustainable in the future, councillors need to consider ways to use the space better.\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe council wants\u00a0to replace the current structure with a \u201cmodern, yet sympathetically designed building\u00a0appropriate to the surrounding historic environment and conservation area, and potentially for multiple users\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe site is currently used by the bowls club and Friends of Belle Vue community group for activities such as lantern making and bird watching, but their rents are subsidised.\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe council would\u00a0like the new building to be run by volunteers.\u00a0<\/span>
\nMrs Howell did not\u00a0think this would be a\u00a0problem: \u201cI would love to help out and I\u2019m sure there\u2019d be no trouble finding volunteers – it could be great experience for students from Stanwell, Westbourne and St\u00a0Cyres\u00a0to gain work experience skills.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
\nPossible uses\u00a0for the new building include:<\/p>\n