A Roath by any other name would smell just as sweet; Areas could be renamed to end long-standing confusion.

Byline: Gavin O'Connor

THE names of two city communities could be changed in an attempt to solve long-standing confusion.

Cardiff council officials have recommended Roath be renamed Penylan and Plasnewydd renamed Roath in a move to be considered by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.

The change would end the bizarre situation in which neither Roath Library, Roath Community Centre nor Roath Park is officially in the suburb it is named after.

An unnamed Penylan resident, quoted anonymously in the report, said: "A degree of confusion exists with regard to the geographical areas covered by Roath, Penylan and Plasnewydd (and also Adamsdown and Cyncoed if it comes to that). The following examples might help to clarify (or confuse still further) the situation.

"Prior to local government reorganisation, and the creation of unitary authorities in 1996, half the present electoral division of Penylan was known as Waterloo and the other half as Penylan for county council purposes, but the whole of the present Penylan was known as Roath for city council purposes.

"As things stand at present, Roath Library is in Adams down, Roath Court, Roath Recreation Ground, Roath Park School and Roath Community Centre are in Plasnewydd and Roath Park is in Cyncoed/Plasnewydd. Penylan Library is in Plasnewydd but Roath Mill Gardens and Cyncoed Gardens are in Penylan.

"In view of the confusion that already exists, the proposal to change the current community names of Roath to Penylan and Plasnewydd to Roath could not confuse matters any further."

However, it has been argued there is already confusion between the areas and the renaming of them will only exacerbate the problem.

Another unnamed resident argued: "(The change) will cause confusion in terms of historical records."

Local historians say the problem is a long-standing one.

Peter Gillard, a committee member of Roath Local History Group, said: "There is a bit of a mishmash of order but I think it all stems from the ecclesiastical parish in Roath which covered a much bigger area then.

"I think most people who live there know where they are."

Malcolm Ranson, also a member, said: "I can see why they are doing it; I agree it's all confusing.

"But that's not to say Plasnewydd does not have relevance because that was the original name of the Mackintosh Institute. There are arguments on both sides."

Katrina Anderson, an estate agent, said: "I think people class Plasnewyddand Roath all as Roath anyway, so nothing will change there."

RENAMING TO END ANOMALIES IN CITY

IT IS hoped the move to rename Plasnewydd as Roath, and Roath as Penylan, would clear up some of the naming anomalies that currently exist in the city suburbs.

Common sense suggests you would expect to find Roath Library in Roath - yet it is in fact in the Adamsdown council ward.

Roath Court, Roath Recreation Ground, Roath Park School and Roath Community Centre are all in Plasnewydd.

And iconic city green space Roath Park is in Cyncoed.

Meanwhile Penylan Library is in Plasnewydd.

And Roath Mill Gardens and Cyncoed Gardens are in Penylan.

CAPTION(S):

From left, Connaught Road in Roath, Amesbury Road in Penylan, Roath Library and Roath Park could witness address changes if the boundary commission proposals go ahead