Neath Port Talbot politicians call for more time to get Afan Lido right
NEATH Port Talbot politicians have called for councillors to be given more time to discuss the revised Afan Lido proposals.
Cabinet members will be asked to approve the new proposals, which now include an eight-lane pool which campaigners were calling for, at a meeting later today.
But despite the concession over the eight-lane pool, members of pressure group Port Talbot People Against the Inferior Rebuild of Afan Lido are still far from happy about the new proposals — and have asked for more time to look at the plan.
Now Aberavon MP Hywel Francis and his Assembly Member counterpart David Rees have called for councillors to be given more time and detail to consider the proposals as well.
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Mr Francis said: "We were delighted with the decision of the leadership of the council to give a four-week consultation period to allow local people to submit their views on the proposals.
"That consultation has now ended and while we welcome the inclusion in the report of the removal of the enterprise units and the possibility of an eight-lane swimming pool, we now hope that the authority will consider a further delay to allow sufficient time for the report to be fully analysed and further information to be provided if required."
Mr Rees added: "Local people have expressed their views passionately and it is important that the local authority take the necessary time to consider both these and the report.
"The report recognises some of the points raised but I believe that there are still some questions that need to be resolved and areas that need further clarification.
"I hope that sufficient time is allowed to do that.
"The development of a sports and leisure complex that meets the health and well-being needs of the local community is critical and we must get it right."
Campaigners have fought a hard battle with Neath Port Talbot Council about the Lido development and presented them with a 10,000-strong petition last week, calling for an eight- lane pool to be installed and not the six-lane version which was originally proposed.
Members of the pressure group also want the Lido rebuilt on its original site and not at the neighbouring Hollywood Park, which is where the council is planning to develop it.
The authority has said this is necessary as it will help deal with the empty buildings at Hollywood Park and help generate vital funds to help pay for its redevelopment.
The existing Morrison Road library will also be included in the new complex and the enterprise starter units have also been dropped.
robert.goodman@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by Stork
Thursday, July 26 2012, 12:01PM
“Gwyddno
My second post was not directed "at you". My second post was a reply "to you", to acknowledge your reply, to my original first post.”
by Gwyddno
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 6:23PM
“Stork
Precisely.
Why direct the question to me?”
by Stork
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 4:35PM
“Gwyddno
Why say "we have a kitty of £13.6 million", if you're not going to spend that amount. If that's the case, NPT could say "we have a kitty of £25million, but we would never spend that much ".
The fact is, NPT haven't said how much they intend to spend, whether it's more, or less, than £13.6 million. Who in their right mind goes public and quotes £13.6 million, for a project that they don't really have a clue about. But of course, I'm a silly-billy, it's the Council !
Par for the course with them.”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 2:58PM
“I can see my council tax bill going up because of this. Neath has a very nice pool, not 8 lane, but a nice size. Why should the people of Port Talbot have a bigger one. And why we are at it, why has it got to be down sandfields, wouldn't a more accessible site near the town centre be better. What about behind the station next to the new road. I'm sure captain beanny can catch a bus to there.
I really do think it's a shame that our councillors are being taken in by this group who want the earth , with no consideration for the extra cost that will be involved. Haven't these people herd that the western world is broke. How many more million have we got to plough into sandfields.”
by Gwyddno
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 12:53PM
“Stork
From a previous EP article:-
"Money is a factor. We have a kitty of £13.6 million including the insurance money."
Not quite the same as saying the project will cost £13.6m.
Here kitty kitty!”
by Stork
Wednesday, July 25 2012, 12:26PM
“How can NPT say that the new project will cost £13.6 million when no design nor artists impression has been produced (at least none that the the public have seen). It's like saying "I'm having an extension built on the back of my house which will cost £100,000". I haven't drawn a plan, I haven't had an estimate from a builder or Architect, I don't actually know if it will fit in my garden, I don't actually know if it can be built, and I don't actually know what my extension will look like, but it will cost £100,000.........I think. Also, my neighbour will be enjoying the use of part of my new extension but I haven't worked if my neighbour should contribute anything towards the cost. We haven't really discussed it, and nothing has really been agreed, sort of.
You would be right in thinking that I was raving mad, but this is what NPT are doing with our money ! A sensible person would assume that the Council would have at least an artists impression. A fairly accurate building cost. Also, a clear and open agreement on where the money is coming from, if only to "take the wind out" of any Doubting Thomas's, that this project can be completed at minimal loss to the NPT Council Taxpayers. Or do Councillors know better ?”