Go-ahead for student flats block
PLANS for yet more student flats in Cardiff have been approved.
Over the past three years there has been a steep rise in the number of purpose-built student accommodation developments in Cardiff, with 23 developments opened, approved or under construction – which when finished will provide 7,494 beds.
Cardiff council’s planning committee has now approved another sixstorey student accommodation block, of 91 beds, on land near Drake Walk in Atlantic Wharf.
It will be close to the Capital Quarter development of 675 student flats, which is under construction, and another scheme of 711 rooms at a 10-storey block which has been approved at the former Evans Halshaw Citroen in East Bay Close.
The development in Atlantic Wharf, put forward by Waterfront 2000, would also include a ground-floor cafe or restaurant unit and 80 bike spaces.
It would have just two parking spaces – which are provided for on-site management.
Cardiff council received 17 objections against the plans, which raised concerns about “inadequate” parking provision, oversupply of student housing, loss of trees and the scale and the appearance of the building.
The committee approved the plans on Wednesday.
Councillor Frank Jacobsen said the building “looks good” and would “enhance the area”.
Only one councillor, Abdul Sattar, voted against the scheme.
Council planning officers told the committee there will be a clause in the planning permission that the building can only be used for student accommodation – which is standard for applications of this type.
It would require another planning application if the developer wanted to change its use in the future, they said.
An existing footbridge, which is currently closed, would also be renovated to create a public link connecting Lloyd George Avenue via Craiglee Park to the footpath that runs from Tyndall Street to Schooner Way.
Cardiff council will ask the developer to pay £4,000 towards parking controls in Craiglee Drive, Celerity Drive and Vellacott Close.
Waterfront 2000 will also be asked to pay £55,000 to provide improvements to public open space including replacement tree planting, and £50,000 towards community facilities.