Plans to demolish crescent withdrawn
CAMPAIGNERS who opposed a plan to demolish the buildings on Guildford Crescent in Cardiff have reacted with joy at the news the application has been withdrawn.
A bid for planning permission to demolish the buildings has been withdrawn by the landowner Rapports pending the outcome of discussions with Cardiff council over a new masterplan for the area.
The new masterplan is aimed at regenerating a part of the city from Churchill Way down to Bute Terrace and across to the Admiral building.
Following a high-profile campaign by the Save Gwdihw and Guildford Crescent group, which saw more than 20,000 people sign a petition and thousands take to the streets of Cardiff as part of a protest march, a plan by landlords the Rapport family to demolish numbers 1 to 6 Guildford Crescent was put on hold. It has now been withdrawn.
Head of the Save Guildford Crescent Campaign group, Daniel Minty, said: “We are overjoyed at the news ...
“This little victory is owed to the 2,000 people who marched, the 20,000 people who signed the petition and the many people who directly opposed the demolition application.”
While that was positive news for campaigners, they also received a blow with the news that Cadw will not be listing the buildings.
Cadw, which works to protect the historic buildings and structures, landscapes and heritage sites of Wales, had been undertaking assessments since January to see if the buildings should be listed.
The Masonic Lodge, which stands next to the former Madeira and Thai House restaurants and Gwdihw music venue on Guildford Crescent, was listed in 1975.
A Cadw spokesman said: “We acknowledge that Guildford Crescent is a local landmark, with some historic and architectural interest. However, it is not a well preserved or good example of late 19th century housing and has suffered from alterations and loss of original fabric.”
Mr Minty said: “We are disappointed by Cadw’s decision which fails to appreciate Guildford Crescent’s value within the context of the surrounding townscape.
“Where else in Cardiff does a crescent exist because it followed the path of one of the original and natural canals that ran through our city?
“We believe the opportunities are endless for Guildford Crescent, to take things to the next level in Cardiff. Perhaps in the future, the canal that still runs under the road could be brought back, making this area even more of an attraction.”
A separate protest group calling itself the Guildford Peasants, which has occupied buildings on Guildford Crescent in the past week, were yesterday due to vacate the buildings after being served with an eviction notice.