‘Historic’ building plans given approval
A “HISTORIC” building in Pontcanna will be replaced by townhouses – despite objections about over-development of the site.
The Rise in Penhill Road, the former HQ of Cardiff’s youth offending team, will be demolished to make way for eight four-bed houses, which would each have four floors with a fifth-storey roof terrace.
The £6.2m plans, which were approved by Cardiff council’s planning committee yesterday, include 13 car parking spaces.
But concerns were raised the buildings were too high, it was out of sorts with the nearby area and the site was being over-developed.
Council planning officers advised the committee to allow the application without the developer making a contribution to affordable housing, as an independent report said this would make the scheme nonviable.
Councillor Sean Driscoll, member of the committee, said: “They have crammed in as much as they can without a contribution.
“They are trying to fill the site up. The buildings are too close together.”
Concerns were also raised about the increasing number of homes on an already busy road.
Committee member Ioana Gordon said: “The Rise is a very distinctive and imposing building with huge character and is an important landmark in Llandaff, Pontcanna and Canton. It’s another building we’re losing in our city which gives out city distinctiveness.
“It’s a very great shame we have ended up with a stark block of eight town-houses.”
Permission has already been granted to demolish The Rise, the meeting heard.
But Councillors Mike JonesPritchard and Asghar Ali said they did not think the development would be out of character with the area.
Councillor Ali said: “The design is a good design. I think it will improve the area.”
Councillors decided in favour of the development after a vote to defer the decision, put forward by Cllr Driscoll and seconded by Cllr Gordon, was defeated.