The leader of Cardiff Council has said he doesn’t regret the council pursuing plans for a new velodrome for years despite the scheme recently being dropped.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats group, Cllr Rodney Berman, called the local authority’s decision not to go ahead with a new velodrome at the International Sports Village (ISV) in Cardiff Bay a “significant about turn” for the administration.
When it made the announcement last week, the city council also said it had the opportunity to enter into negotiations for land that it could use to expand Cathays High School without developing on the Maindy Velodrome site.
Cardiff Council’s cabinet agreed to proposals to expand Cathays High to 378 places and replace the current building by using land at Maindy Park in 2021.
Speaking at a Cardiff Council economy and culture scrutiny committe meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Berman asked the council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, if he regretted continuing the pursuit of a new velodrome project.
Cllr Thomas said: “I don’t regret at all because the overriding motive was the delivery of a better school solution and a new building for Cathays High School."
“Am I frustrated that the option that we now believe to be available was categorically not available four years ago? Yes, but that is a frustration that is nobody’s fault.”
A cabinet report on Cathays High School, which will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, states that the Government Property Agency (GPA) and Companies House are reviewing options for their future accommodation.
The report adds that their stated preference is to relocate from where they are in Cardiff to another part of the city.
The Companies House offices are located next to Cathays High on Crown Way and it is this land that the council could acquire.
Cardiff Council’s report adds that the GPA’s plans to relocate are subject to financial approval as part of the UK Government annual spending review process.
The GPA anticipates a decision on the future of Companies House through the 2025 spending review. If negotiations prove unsuccessful, expanding the school onto the Maindy site would remain a viable option for the council.
Cardiff Council is proposing to enter into an option agreement with Topgolf for the old Toys R Us site, which would allow the land formerly earmarked for a new velodrome to be subject to a planning application for a new golfing attraction.
Cllr Thomas added: “There is now a real opportunity to pursue what would have been our preferred solution five years ago in relation to Cathays High School and Maindy which obviates the need to build a new velodrome."
“I actually think a new velodrome would be a really good development for the city."
“There was going to be an education contribution to delivering at this location, but with that requirement going away from the education side, that is a further challenge then to the business case of the velodrome stacking up.”
At their meeting on Thursday, cabinet members will be recommended to enter into an option agreement with Topgolf.
If approved, Topgolf will have 18 months to secure planning permission and enter into a lease for the site.
Cllr Thomas said: “[This] is a good sport leisure opportunity that brings substantial investment and job creation into the area and I think will enhance the sports village concept as a destination within Cardiff and outside it as well."
“I don’t regret it, but I am frustrated. There’s no getting away from that."
“Our overriding priorities remain in the north of the city, the delivery of a high school as quickly as possible, and down here [Cardiff Bay], the completion of the build up which will take time…making it an area which is good to live in and attracts people from all over the city.”
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