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We’re fighting council over plans to demolish our neighbour’s ‘perfectly good’ £300k home – now it’s turned violent
A PEACEFUL protest about a £300,000 house being demolished to make way for a cycle path turned ugly when a van driver attacked a demonstrator.
Outraged neighbours launched their "Save Number 43" battle to stop the demolition of the four-bed £300,000 house for the cycle path to a new housing estate.
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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 attack a protester.
The video footage showed the van driver grabbing hold of the man, and then punching him several times.
Police are investigating the alleged assault following the protest in the suburb of Pontprennau in Cardiff.
One protester said: "It was never our intention to prevent people from carrying out their day's work."
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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."
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The four-bedroom private home less than 20 years old will be flattened in a leafy suburban cul-de-sac to create a cycle route to a new "affordable" housing development.
Developers Edenstone Group operations director Chris Edge 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."
Families lost a planning battle against the cycle path and footpath through their quiet suburban cul-de-sac following approval by Cardiff Council last year.
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.
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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.”
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