THE proposed Penarth wellbeing hub has drawn criticism for a perceived lack of potential parking spaces.

As the Penarth Times previously reported, The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have picked the Penarth Leisure Centre on Andrew Road, Penarth as their best option for a wellbeing centre.

Proposed developments for the new hub include a revamped entrance, an extension of up to two storeys and a rearrangement of existing interiors.

There will be no additional parking spaces, with the extension planned to be sited on the currently disused tennis courts.

There are currently 140 parking spaces at the leisure centre, six of which are disabled bays.

The existing GP practice in Redlands Road will be moved to the new wellbeing hub with several other medical facilities.

The proposed development will consist of 12 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms and two podiatric clinics.

Councillors were told around 20 practitioners and ten additional staff were expected to run the wellbeing hub.

Councillor Mark Wilson expressed concern over the lack of parking and congestion.

“It’s a dilemma. Particularly early in the morning, there’s severe congestions going through Cogan, and this will add to it.

“I agree with it on principle, and the leisure centre is an excellent site, but it’s already a trek for people in Penarth town centre. We need to think about sustainable transport, more walkways, other ways of getting to the site. The people desperately need a health centre, but it’s a balance.”

Though the town council backed the centre on principle, they registered reservations about the level of parking provided on the site.

The council will make an official comment this week, after a planning meeting on April 25 with representatives from the Health Board.