More flats for city as towers get go-ahead

TOWER blocks creating more than 1,000 new city flats have been given the go-ahead in Cardiff.

Two of the developments – two high-rise blocks of between 19 and 11 storeys – will bring a total of 704 student flats to the capital.

A further two developments, including a 25-storey tower, will provide 346 apartments open to all.

One of the student blocks, which will be built at Howard Gardens in Adamsdown, will include apartments for 384 people and will also feature a cafe-restaurant area and communal spaces.

The £36m scheme, from Crosslane Student Developments, was approved despite a petition signed by 111 people objecting to the scheme, raising concerns about the oversupply of student accommodation and the impact on air quality.

A separate development, which will see the construction of a 19-storey building featuring 320 studio rooms for students, as well as a movie room, gym and restaurant, has been approved at Bradley Court on the corner of Park Place and Stuttgarter Strasse.

The 1980s office building at Bradley Court, which has been empty for a year, would be demolished, and the neighbouring listed building at 11 Park Place would become part of the new student scheme.

Approval for the schemes comes against a backdrop of concerns about the number of student flats being built in the city.

Last year we reported that the developers behind two student blocks of flats wanted to be allowed to let rooms to nonstudents due to fears of a lack of demand.

But developers behind the latest schemes remain bullish about future prospects.

Lisa Timberlake, development manager at Crosslane Student Developments, said: “At 384 beds, the scheme will be a significant contribution to easing the supply/demand fundamentals which persist for purpose-built student accommodation in the city, helping to free up private housing to rent by families and young professionals.”

Elsewhere, a development of 206 flats in two new buildings in Dumballs Road has also been approved.

The tallest building in the scheme will be 12 storeys high.

An existing warehouse on the site is set to be demolished to make way for the scheme.

And a 25-storey building containing 140 flats near Brain’s Brewery has also been given the go-ahead.

ITEC Training Solutions, in Crawshay Court, off Curran Road, would be demolished to make way for the development.

It will also feature a shop and roof terrace for residents, and have 27 car-parking spaces.

Councillor Chris Lay was among the planning committee members to welcome the scheme.

“Right building, right place, looks absolutely fabulous,” he said.

Councillor Asghar Ali also agreed, but feared it did not feature enough parking spaces. Cardiff council’s planning officer told the meeting extra parking was not needed due to the transport links in the area.

Approval has been given to build 101 affordable homes in disused land off Clive Lane in Grangetown, next to Ikea.