‘Student flats are making our lives a misery’

RESIDENTS living between two of the city’s biggest student housing blocks say the works are causing misery.

One block of accommodation, known as Eclipse, was opened at the former Howard Gardens site.

Then, permission for a second block at the former Cardiff Royal Infirmary west wing on Glossop Road was also granted after an application by developer Mace.

However, residents in Howard Terrace and Howard Gardens say they have been subjected to horrendous noise, dirt and mud since the demolition of the former hospital took place.

They say there was “weeks” of drilling through several feet of concrete which caused daily tremors of nearby homes.

Then, they said that daily crushing of hardcore “continued for weeks on end”.

Resident Martin Nash has been trying to work with developers and staff to solve the issues on behalf of his neighbours. “We then had to encounter weeks of pile driving which was more horrendous noise to put up with,” he said.

They say that an entrance to the construction site was opened at the bottom of Howard Terrace and that they were not given any notification of that entrance being opened.

They say that the “short, narrow and what used to be quiet” road is now in “constant use” by HGV vehicles.

“We are subjected to a mud cleaning vehicle causing constant noise daily.

“Our cars, front doors, roads and paving have been occasionally mud covered.

“Vehicles include tankers, tipper lorries and long goods vehicles have been using Howard Terrace to access the site for deliveries and removal of soil,” said Mr Nash.

“It is causing chaos and hostility from local residents. Not to mention obstruction to other motorists,” he said.

“We had two years of the Eclipse construction across the way which has around 650-plus beds for students which they can’t let out.

“Glossop Halls development is a similar figure on such a compact space.

There are also plans to develop another 400+bed accommodation on the site of the old bowling green which is not wanted or needed. It is becoming a nightmare. We want people to know what is happening to us.”

In October last year, residents said they had been betrayed by the council who had sold off the Howard Gardens bowling green.

The residents said they only knew because a planning application for a third block of student flats was submitted to the council.

A council spokesman said: “As part of the planning approval for this development, a Construction Management Plan is in place which allows access to the site from Howard Terrace.

“As part of the Hoarding License, the highways department does inspect the site regularly and a road sweeping vehicle is used after vehicles leave the construction site.

“As with all developments, there will be element of disruption until the build is complete but measures have been put in place to mitigate this as best as possible.”

A Mace spokesman said: “The new student accommodation being built on Glossop Road will provide high-quality apartments for Cardiff’s growing vibrant student population, who make a substantial contribution to the local economy. The new development will help to reduce the pressure on local housing and create local jobs.

“We recognise development can be disruptive at times, and so we have been working closely with local residents and councillors to do everything we can to minimise any negative impacts during construction.

“We believe the vast majority of the local community are supportive of the project.”