TOWER PLAN UNDER FIRE
THE proposed Dolffin Quay development for Cardiff Bay, with a huge 24-storey residential tower at its heart, has been described as being “fundamentally flawed”.
The project from port operator Associated British Ports (ABP) includes 200 apartments with retail and leisure facilities on land it owns near the Norwegian Church.
But former Secretary of State for Wales, Lord Crickhowell, who paved the way for the regeneration of the area with the establishment Cardiff Bay Development Corporation in the 1980s said the scheme would be more appropriate for a city centre.
Lord Crickhowell, who was written to director of ABP South Wales, Matthew Kennerley, outlining his concerns, said he feared the wedgeshaped tower block would “dominate and overpower the Norwegian Chruch and Locky’s Cottage” which is planned to be relocated.
The former ABP board member added: “The principal building is about twice the height of other buildings around the Bay. And because of its height and bulk it will dominate its neighours which include the Senedd [National Assembly for Wales] and Wales Millennium Centre, and present an implacable front north and west towards the Pierhead building at the very heart of the Bay – which is where most visitors will see it for the first time.
“There is no evidence to substantiate the claim that the proposals will deliver ‘a flagship tall building to enhance the skyline along the Bay and contribute to Cardiff’s world-class capital city status.’”
He added: “This sensitive location, providing an important visual link between the inner Bay and the Basin [Roath] is entirely the wrong place to site a massive high-rise building, which could have been placed with positive benefits somewhere on the eastern or southern sides of the Basin.”
He said that proposal, for which ABP is expected to submit a planning application to Cardiff council shortly, should have taken into account, in a co-ordinated approach, development plans around Roath Basin – including on land owned by the Welsh Government.
Lord Crickhowell added: “A huge mistake has been made in the producton of this development proposal, with the result that it is fundamentally flawed.”
In a statement, ABP said: “The size and scale of the building will help to address the urgent need for new homes for the people in Cardiff. Some 200 new homes will be built in an iconic landmark building for Cardiff Bay. A new park, public realm and open space at the heart of the scheme will enhance the surroundings of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and the existing pubs and cafes. The development will provide high quality open space for residents and tourists to enjoy all year round.
“In recognition of the site’s industrial heritage, we are proposing to create a new cultural quarter, which will support the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and a relocated Locky’s Cottage. The proposed scheme has been informed by detailed pre-application discussions with officers at the City of Cardiff Council, a series of resident and stakeholder meetings, and a public exhibition.
“We are currently considering the latest round of feedback which we have received from the community, before we formally submit the application to City of Cardiff Council in the coming weeks.”