‘Staggering lack of vision’ claim as city centre dragon fails to fly

A MAN who wants to build a giant dragon in Cardiff city centre says his dream has been put on the back burner.

Hywel Thomas put forward an idea to place a giant sculpture of a dragon at the heart of the Central Square development.

He said that it would be an “inspiring symbol” for the huge development.

Mr Thomas planned to raise £1m to fund it, through crowdfunding and financial agreements from developers.

He contacted Cardiff council cabinet member Russell Goodway but has now been told that the council’s priority is a statue of an iconic Welsh woman.

An independent committee has been set up to gather ideas for who the city’s first female statue should be.

It will be placed in the new Central Square development after support from developers Rightacres.

Mr Thomas said he had been “overwhelmed” by the support of the public but is disappointed the council is opting to support a different project.

He said he has been told via email from Councillor Goodway that the cabinet will be supporting the idea that the next sculpture in Cardiff is of a woman.

Mr Thomas said he is fully in support of the plans to create a statue of a woman in the city but said: “These are two very different issues and it shouldn’t be an either or. There is no logic to their decision and it shows a staggering lack of vision for the capital city of Wales.”

Cllr Goodway said: “I have already told Hywel that until the statue recognising the achievements of an inspirational Welsh woman is in place, it will be difficult to move his proposal forward and, even then, it could be difficult to progress. However, the proposal is still on the table and I will ask my cabinet colleagues to consider it again when the time is right.”