Battle to ‘Save Number 43’ turns ugly: Protester campaigning to stop £300,000 home from being demolished to make way for a cycle path is ATTACKED by van driver
- The home will be flattened to create a route to a new ‘affordable’ development
This is the shocking moment the battle to save a house from being demolished to make way for a cycle path turns violent as a protester is attacked by a van driver.
The four-bedroom £300,000 home, which is less than 20 years old, will be flattened to create a cycle route to a new ‘affordable’ housing development.
The destruction order for the property forms part of a proposal for 45 new social housing homes – comprising 22 flats and 23 houses – next to the existing private properties on the leafy outskirts of Cardiff.
Neighbours tried to object to the plans but they were given the green light by the council.
The furious families carried out a sit down protest in the roadway – but it took a vicious turn when a frustrated van driver jumped from his vehicle to rain down punches on one protester.
Police are investigating the alleged assault following the demonstration in the suburb of Pontprennau.
One protester said: ‘It was never our intention to prevent people from carrying out their day’s work.’
He said although they blocked one end of the Ty Draw Road in the city, other entrances were unblocked and would only need a short diversion.
The protester said: ‘What we were assured by a South Wales Police officer was that provided we were demonstrating peacefully the police would see no problem with what we were proposing.
‘We were within our rights to hold a peaceful protest. We were all a bit shocked that it resulted in an aggressive response.’
Chris Edge, operations director at developers, Edenstone Group, said: ‘The development of 45 affordable homes was approved following the standard democratic planning process, which included public consultation.
‘While trying to engage with residents to seek clarification on the issues they raised they indicated they were considering a peaceful protest.
‘We recognise that right but want to avoid unnecessary disruption to the wider community and other road users by protesters blocking the public highway.
‘We understand there was an incident involving a passing motorist during the protest.
‘We have not been able to establish any connection with the vehicle or the driver and our development. We would never condone any action against protesters and sincerely hope nobody was affected by the incident.’
A petition to ‘Save Number 43’ was signed by nearly 300 people to call on the council to reject the pathway plans in the Pontprennau suburb of commuter homes.
Neighbour Joanna Fashan presented the petition to Cardiff council’s planning committee – in a desperate battle to save their privacy.
She said: ‘Residents deliberately purchased properties on this street as it was a closed cul-de-sac, knowing we could raise our families safely, have quiet retirements, feel safe living alone, and all the other positives that living on such a street has.
‘This alleyway is creates a rat run. We are therefore at risk of higher crime rates, for example from opportunist car thieves. This puts the safety and security of the whole community at risk.’
