First things first. We're all NIMBYs at heart. The only thing that differs is how we approach and argue against developments.
Take for example, a theoretical "second Tryweryn" somewhere in a remote part of Wales.
Take for example, a theoretical "second Tryweryn" somewhere in a remote part of Wales.
As a civic nationalist, I would oppose it from the standpoint of Wales taking an unfair burden of undesirable development to suit the needs of a distant, foreign government over which we have no sway.
Environmentalists, nearby residents, the "good-lifers" and all the other assorted groups will no doubt come up with other reasons. There would probably be people who support it as well. Those people supporting it could also be NIMBYs. Well they wouldn't want it near them would they?
Does this attitude hold Wales back, economically and socially? Should planning be approached in an entirely utilitarian view, or should other factors take priority, such as sustainability?
Do local communities, contrary to popular belief, have far too much sway over the planning system?
Here's my (tongue-in-cheek) guide to Welsh Nimbyism:
1. Those opposed to all development
AKA – "BANANA" (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything)
Miserable gits one and all. Found in urban areas, but seem to be particularly prominent in the Cardiff and south Wales Valley areas.
Admiral Group, one of Wales' private sector success stories, recently won planning permission for a new HQ for 3,000 people. The Western Mail comments section was immediately set upon by people who though this was, somehow, "bad news."
Any planning decision that doesn't have "rejected" stamped all over it "tramples on the wishes of the silent majority". Why cairn't Kairdeff be likes the good old days?
They'll be quite happy for large swathes of post-industrial Wales to resemble a Smiths album cover, as long as it doesn't interrupt their pint of Daiiirk over a copy of the Echo.
2. Drawbridge Mentality
AKA "Good-lifers"
They're middle class and probably retired. They move to Wales' quieter parts, with "quaint" names they can't really pronounce and not a dark-haired person in sight.
What's that? You were expecting that open countryside with livestock, farm equipment, silage storage and maintained woodland to remain like that until just after you sell your cottage on the market and move to the south of France?
Tough titty. Here come the wind turbines, slapping Wales quite hard in the face. Not satisfied with getting tea-bagged by the Chuckle Brothers in Westminster?
To the Senedd!
Wait. Didn't you say the Welsh Assembly was useless? And that you voted "no" in March?
3. Build it - just not near me....
AKA – "PIBBY" (Put In Black's Back Yard)
This species reside in Wales' leafier suburbs....oh for example.....North Cardiff and the commuter belt villages along the M4 and A55.
They support building homeless hostels (they need somewhere to go), new housing developments (my kids are priced out) or new supermarkets (more jobs for the unemployed). Just not around here. It's not "that sort of area".
It's about twitching curtains and twitchier sphincters as they realise their home equity is going to be affected by the proposed drug rehabilitation centre down the road. They'll make sure that the councillors know that they won't have their vote next time.
4. Organised Opposition
AKA "Citizens Against Virtually Anything"
Retirement getting you down? Feeling a bit lonely? Bored?
Break out the placards and photo shopped images! They've been "fighting for the community" for nigh on two score and twain. There'll be no skate park for teenagers on their watch! No new superstore while the "town" dies on it's feet.
Hyperbole is the name of the game. Everything is a disgrace. Everything will have a "catastrophic" impact on the "community". The community consisting of people they know and their dogs. They'll protest, they'll march, they'll be photographed handing over petitions.
Then, when that new supermarket is built, they'll be shopping there with everyone else and tutting about how it's ruined the town centre....as they pile the trolley with some reasonably priced organic lasagna.
5. The "Enlightened" Objectors
They just know more than you do. This development is about a much bigger issue. It's about global capitalism running roughshod over the proletariat - and there will be some obtuse reference to a socialist pamphlet of which only 50 copies were printed. Civic Trusts, environmental groups, the Welsh language intelligentsia and socialist sects fall into this category.
Long editorials in the national papers, using nice big words. The detail is certainly there but ultimately sending the same message.
"Don't build it near me, guv."
Environmentalists, nearby residents, the "good-lifers" and all the other assorted groups will no doubt come up with other reasons. There would probably be people who support it as well. Those people supporting it could also be NIMBYs. Well they wouldn't want it near them would they?
Does this attitude hold Wales back, economically and socially? Should planning be approached in an entirely utilitarian view, or should other factors take priority, such as sustainability?
Do local communities, contrary to popular belief, have far too much sway over the planning system?
Here's my (tongue-in-cheek) guide to Welsh Nimbyism:
1. Those opposed to all development
AKA – "BANANA" (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything)
Miserable gits one and all. Found in urban areas, but seem to be particularly prominent in the Cardiff and south Wales Valley areas.
Admiral Group, one of Wales' private sector success stories, recently won planning permission for a new HQ for 3,000 people. The Western Mail comments section was immediately set upon by people who though this was, somehow, "bad news."
Any planning decision that doesn't have "rejected" stamped all over it "tramples on the wishes of the silent majority". Why cairn't Kairdeff be likes the good old days?
They'll be quite happy for large swathes of post-industrial Wales to resemble a Smiths album cover, as long as it doesn't interrupt their pint of Daiiirk over a copy of the Echo.
2. Drawbridge Mentality
AKA "Good-lifers"
They're middle class and probably retired. They move to Wales' quieter parts, with "quaint" names they can't really pronounce and not a dark-haired person in sight.
What's that? You were expecting that open countryside with livestock, farm equipment, silage storage and maintained woodland to remain like that until just after you sell your cottage on the market and move to the south of France?
Tough titty. Here come the wind turbines, slapping Wales quite hard in the face. Not satisfied with getting tea-bagged by the Chuckle Brothers in Westminster?
To the Senedd!
Wait. Didn't you say the Welsh Assembly was useless? And that you voted "no" in March?
3. Build it - just not near me....
AKA – "PIBBY" (Put In Black's Back Yard)
This species reside in Wales' leafier suburbs....oh for example.....North Cardiff and the commuter belt villages along the M4 and A55.
They support building homeless hostels (they need somewhere to go), new housing developments (my kids are priced out) or new supermarkets (more jobs for the unemployed). Just not around here. It's not "that sort of area".
It's about twitching curtains and twitchier sphincters as they realise their home equity is going to be affected by the proposed drug rehabilitation centre down the road. They'll make sure that the councillors know that they won't have their vote next time.
4. Organised Opposition
AKA "Citizens Against Virtually Anything"
Retirement getting you down? Feeling a bit lonely? Bored?
Break out the placards and photo shopped images! They've been "fighting for the community" for nigh on two score and twain. There'll be no skate park for teenagers on their watch! No new superstore while the "town" dies on it's feet.
Hyperbole is the name of the game. Everything is a disgrace. Everything will have a "catastrophic" impact on the "community". The community consisting of people they know and their dogs. They'll protest, they'll march, they'll be photographed handing over petitions.
Then, when that new supermarket is built, they'll be shopping there with everyone else and tutting about how it's ruined the town centre....as they pile the trolley with some reasonably priced organic lasagna.
5. The "Enlightened" Objectors
They just know more than you do. This development is about a much bigger issue. It's about global capitalism running roughshod over the proletariat - and there will be some obtuse reference to a socialist pamphlet of which only 50 copies were printed. Civic Trusts, environmental groups, the Welsh language intelligentsia and socialist sects fall into this category.
Long editorials in the national papers, using nice big words. The detail is certainly there but ultimately sending the same message.
"Don't build it near me, guv."
Good post.
ReplyDeleteAn independent Wales would be energy rich and so we could be easily 'economically viable'. Unfortunately, many of those against any economic development who've come to retire to their little quiet Welsh market town are now against Wales paying its own way.
So, it's a self-fulfilling prohesy;
Those who say that 'Wales isn't economically viable' are the ones who say 'no to economic development' who then point out that 'Wales isn't economically viable'
There will certainly be another Tryweryn. But if the decision to drown a valley is taken by the Assembly and the profits go pack to the local community and Assembly, then I'm all for it. The types of valleys most likely to be drowned will be inhabited by 'good lifers'. Well, tough, they can find their good life in another country.
Tryweryn was about the obliteration of a Welsh-speaking community. The good lifers have obliterated Welsh in any case, so, who cares if the valley is drowned. Go live in Devon.
Thanks for the comment Anon.
ReplyDeleteI certainly believe there's a large minority, a hardcore of people, who won't be happy until Wales is the World's largest folk museum. Something to put on a chocolate box but not for serious business to invest in.
If the Admiral office 'controversy' is the one I'm thinking of, then the objection is not to the office, but the fact that it is going to by built on the only public space in the city centre.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere else is either dedicated to retail, or is privately owned or both. The 'green' (as some people call it) is about the only open space where you are safe from traffic and people demanding money. Once the office is built, inevitable closed at night, the area will almost certainly become a hotspot for crime, drug abuse and anti-social behaviour, as so much of it will be hidden from sight.
Admiral already has an office in Cardiff, so those 3000 jobs aren’t new, they will just be moved about 5 minutes walk down the road.
There is plenty of derelict land earmarked for office space very close by, some of it less than five minutes walk from the site if a new footbridge is built over the railway line.
Thanks for the great contribution once again Welsh Agenda.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with the site and yes I wish Admiral could've chosen the building opposite the "square" (Rapport building is it?) to build the HQ so it could remain. As far as I know some Admiral functions operate 24hrs, so I don't think there's any greater chance of that area becoming a hotspot for crime, ASB etc. than it would if the square remained.
With the new "enterprise zone/CBD" planned I doubt it's entirely guaranteed that this will go ahead - it's worth keeping an eye on in the next few months. Cardiff Council said they were in talks with "two of the city's major employers" to move to the proposed Central Square development and other than Admiral I can't think of many more. I've heard that Hugh James are mooted to be moving to the site "across the railway" you mentioned.
Considering Admiral are a rare example of a big Welsh private sector success story I would be wary about telling them where they can or can't build their HQ. A jump to another part of Cardiff could easily become a jump to Bristol or London. That's not to say they don't have a responsibility to plan it well and take the residents of Cardiff and visitors into account.