Pub placards are ‘banned’

Jan 10 2008 by Katie Norman, South Wales Echo

GIANT placards have been banned from highlighting a community’s fight to save its local pub.

Cardiff council has ordered residents to remove massive banners objecting to the proposed demolition of the Pantmawr Inn, in Pantmawr, Cardiff, from their properties.

Developer Charles Church wants to build a block of 23 flats and 11 houses on the site but locals are against the proposal.

Protest advertisements at least four metres long had been sited near the pub but council officers ordered their removal after receiving complaints.

They say the huge banners need planning permission.

Hugh Payne, who is chairman of the Pantmawr Action Group, said: “The banners may be going up again. Not officially, but I can’t stop people if they’re going to put them in their gardens.”

A council spokeswoman said the banners required planning consent. She said complaints had also been received about smaller protest placards on the grass verge alongside Pantmawr Road and the matter was being examined by a highways officer.

One of the large banners was used as a shield during a naked protest outside the pub last year.

Charles Church submitted controversial new plans in December, altering its proposal for 36 flats to a mix of 34 flats and houses.

Mr Payne said: “The density of dwellings proposed is too great for the size of the site and will be totally out of character with the area. The extra traffic will be a major headache.”

Around 100 people attended a meeting organised by ward councillors Jayne Cowan and Adrian Robson to discuss the plans last week.

Coun Cowan said: “We firmly believe that in addition to the loss of an amenity in Pantmawr, the proposals amount to an unneighbourly development.”

The pub previously suffered from dwindling custom but trade has improved after it started serving food last year. It is regarded by many as Pantmawr’s sole community facility.

Musician Keith Little, who grew up in Pantmawr but now lives in Penarth, played there last month.

He said: “It’s at the centre of the community.”

A Charles Church representative said the firm had tried to work with council officers to develop plans in keeping with the area.

The public are invited to submit their opinions on the proposals to the council before January 25.

katie.norman@mediawales.co.uk