New plans revealed for flats on site of former vicarage

A FORMER vicarage on Cardiff’s Cathedral Road could soon be demolished and replaced with brand-new apartments.

Cathedral Gardens Ltd want to get rid of the red-brick building, which used to be the offices for the Church in Wales, and convert the site into two purpose-built apartment blocks for 45 flats.

Cathedral Gardens Ltd has submitted a planning application to Cardiff Council for the tree-fringed plot bordering Talbot Street and Cathedral Road opposite the turning for Sophia Gardens and the Welsh Institute of Sport.

According to the application’s planning statement, prepared by Savills, the proposals include the demolition of 39a Cathedral Road (the Old Vicarage) and the construction of new purpose-built apartment buildings. The existing offices at 37-39 Cathedral Road will also be converted to residential use.

The buildings already have planning permission, granted in 2017, to be knocked down and converted for residential use.

The latest plans, drawn up by John Wotton Architects, propose to use red brick and stone bays so the development keeps in character with the Victorian town houses which characterise Cathedral Road.

The building lies within the Cathedral Road conservation area. The architect said they had designed a scheme which is deemed to be “sensitive” to the site, its immediate surroundings and the wider conservation area.

The application is subject to consultation, which is due to expire on August 29, after which Cardiff Council will decide on the proposals.