New tax office HQ in city centre approved

CARDIFF’S new tax office has been given approval by city councillors.

The redevelopment of the land in the city centre will be Wales’ biggest ever office deal.

It will mean a new building for HMRC on land north of Cardiff’s Wood Street, near Cardiff Central railway station and the Principality Stadium.

A planning officer said the scheme offered the city centre a “huge quality prestige office development”.

As part of the scheme, a new square and public space will be created.

In March this year, Cardiff council’s cabinet gave approval for St David’s House on Wood Street to be demolished – paving the way for the new tax office.

Labour’s Frank Jacobsen asked when St David’s House will be demolished.

He was told prior approval has been granted, but no date yet given.

“There was some pressure on us to get this to you. I think phase one of St David’s House will come down fairly soon but I can’t give you a date,” he was told by a planning officer.

Coun Jacobsen said that he felt the changes will help with crowds visiting the city on event days.

“This is going to widen this area for people to move around Central Square that will obviously be improved. It looks a great image.

The developer would have to pay £1.2m towards public realm works.

During the meeting it was revealed that a piece of public art is hoped to be included in the area around the new tax centre.

It was also revealed that a new statue will be included in the main Central Square development which is set to be a statue of a “prominent Welsh woman”.