Cardiff Council’s Velodrome Project Turns Into a Costly Oversight
Cardiff Council finds itself in hot water after spending over £1 million on planning for a new velodrome project that ultimately got scrapped. The city council made the decision in January to halt the plans for the new velodrome at the International Sports Village (ISV) in Grangetown, pivoting towards potentially constructing a driving range on the same location. Back in 2021, details of the proposed velodrome emerged, leading to an investigative approach by the Local Democracy Reporting Service through a freedom of information (FOI) request, which exposed that a grand total of £1,038,420 had been expended on activities like business case consultancy, pre-planning work, design works, and engaging a contractor.
Despite the hefty spending, the council rationalised that the actual cost to them stood at £625,000, with some costs being deemed as still pertinent for future use. For instance, expenses on site surveys, contamination, and remediation works at the ISV can be repurposed to enhance the site’s value. The breakdown of costs involved in planning for the new velodrome between March 2021 and January 2025 revealed that significant amounts were allocated for pre-planning works, contractor engagement, business case consultancy, site investigation, planning fees, and technical design works.
The proposed velodrome intended for Cardiff Bay aimed to serve as a replacement for the existing Maindy Velodrome in Cathays, which was initially slated for demolition under the Cathays High School expansion scheme. Concurrently with shelving the velodrome project, the council seized an opportunity to negotiate for land as an alternative to Maindy, with an offering extended for land formerly occupied by Companies House on Crown Way. The space initially earmarked for the velodrome, formerly the Toys R Us site at ISV, is now being considered for a Topgolf driving range as per the approved plans by Cardiff Council cabinet members.
In January, Cardiff Council presented a report disclosing a capital cost of £625,000 incurred during the planning phase for the velodrome project, budgeted from earmarked reserves. The council clarified that the rise in costs, exceeding the initial estimate of £6 million and peaking over £9 million, rendered the business plan for the velodrome no longer sustainable due to inflation, additional specifications like a closed-loop cycle circuit, and escalating interest rates. The commitment to exploring a closed-loop circuit’s implementation retains precedence, hinting at using the existing design plans if a suitable location is secured. Cardiff Council is resolute in evolving the ISV into a premier sporting and recreational hub, exploring opportunities like the proposed Topgolf attraction.
Campaigners have persistently opposed the council’s development agenda for Maindy Velodrome, advocating for the Companies House land as a preferable site for Cathays High School expansion. The council’s outreach on land acquisition, including formal enquiries dating back to 2017 and a focused meeting in September 2022, reflected strategic intent. Noteworthy is the financial outlay on legal fees and consultancy related to proposing a land swap between Maindy Park and Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina, contingent upon acquiring Companies House land; a move currently on hold pending further negotiations.
The Charity Commission’s involvement in overseeing the proposed land swap, subsequent to Cardiff Council’s application in 2023, underscores the complex dynamics at play in repurposing land assets. While the saga unravels, the potential utilisation of Maindy Park for secondary school expansion lingers, as the viability hinges on fruitful discussions with land stakeholders. Notably, the nuanced intricacies of land development and reconfiguration underscore the multifaceted considerations encircling strategic urban planning initiatives.
In conclusion, Cardiff Council’s misadventure in the velodrome project illuminates the complexity and uncertainties inherent in large-scale urban development undertakings. The earmarking of substantial financial resources for projects that may face unforeseen challenges underscores the importance of rigorous due diligence and stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable and viable outcomes for community-centric initiatives.