Hensol residents unhappy with training ground plans

Cardiff City's training ground plans spark 'significant disquiet' among Vale neighbours

The Premier League club wants to base the facilities on 37 acres at Hensol in the Vale of Glamorgan as the council agrees to lease the land to the Bluebirds

Land at Hensol where Cardiff City hope to situate their training ground
Plans to create a training and football academy complex in the Vale of Glamorgan countryside for Premier League Cardiff City have taken a major step forward.

But the proposals have already sparked “significant disquiet”.

Vale council leaders have supported the blueprint, which they say will allow the Vale to share in the club’s success.

The club wants to base its training facilities on a 37-acre site at Hensol, close to the Vale Resort hotel, which is home to the multi-million pound WRU National Centre of Excellence.

The Vale council’s cabinet has ordered the authority’s chief executive Sian Davies to agree a short-term lease with the club, followed by a 150-year lease should a subsequent planning application for the complex be approved.

It is understood the club chose the Vale site over other sites in Cardiff, not least because its relatively isolate location would offer better security and not attract outside attention.

The planning application stage is likely to be when opposition to the scheme will become clearer.

But local councillor Rhodri Traherne said: “It is important for the council’s cabinet to be aware that there is significant disquiet among local people at the proposal.”

He said concerns centred on the location of proposed buildings and the noise and light pollution that could be caused.

Resident Caroline Candy said: “I would be concerned that one development would green light other developments in the area.”

Another resident, Gethin Worgan said: “Hensol is a flourishing neighbourhood with lots of young families. The extra traffic would place them in danger and reduce the accessible green space. The rural aspects are what makes this village attractive to us. This would destroy the setting and feel urbanised.”

However, council leader Neil Moore said: “This is good news. As I understand it, it would be primarily a training ground which would be used mainly in the daytime.

“Any concerns would be heard at the planning application stage.”

Coun Gwyn John, cabinet member for sport development, said the training facilities would be comparable to those enjoyed by Liverpool and Manchester United.

He said: “Now that Cardiff City has reached the Premier League they need to upgrade their facilities and they are looking to the Vale.

“This would be a high security place. No Tom, Dick or Harry would be able to just wander in.

“Cardiff in the Premier League is gong to be of tremendous benefit to the Vale, boosting tourism and much else. If we play our cards right, it could be of greater benefit to the Vale than to the city of Cardiff.”

Coun Lis Burnett, cabinet member for regeneration said: “This is brilliant news which will be of huge benefit to the Vale.

“Their ground at Leckwith is nearly in the Vale anyway.”

She said the training ground development would be in line with expert opinion that Vale communities should take the economic opportunities offered by their proximity to the capital city.

Its a couple of football pitches, not a big dirty power station, people will find anything to whine about. Just tell them to pipe the fuk down and stop moaning

Probably a lot of eggers.

Probably a lot of eggers.

Probably a lot of eggers.

That's what I thought. How many of them complained when they built the egg chasers centre?

They've been shown a Sky Sports transfer deadline day video and even the thought two days of Ely oiks in one year was enough to make them protest.

Probably a lot of eggers.

That's what I thought. How many of them complained when they built the egg chasers centre?