Community hub plan for patch of derelict land
PLANS to transform a derelict plot of land in Cardiff into a colourful community space have been revealed.
The patch of land in Splott was once a park but was shut down due to anti-social behaviour and has sat empty for years.
But after Cardiff council said it wanted to sell the site on Railway Street in 2018, residents then launched a successful campaign and raised tens of thousands of pounds to make sure it could be used by the community.
Now the group behind the project, local non-profit organisation Green Squirrel, has revealed its plans.
The site will include eight small businesses housed in shipping containers. Green Squirrel said it plans to prioritise “social, ethical and sustainable businesses”.
A mini allotment will also feature with raised beds, greenhouses and potting sheds. Beehives will live behind a screened apiary, alongside an outdoor events space.
The main part of the site will be a “community hub” made up of recycled shipping containers.
Downstairs will include a space to be used as a workshop, classroom or meeting room with a small kitchen. Stairs on the outside will lead to a roof terrace and a smaller room.
By 2015, when the group started looking for a site, the patch of land was overgrown and full of rubbish.
A year later construction workers moved onto the site as part of electrification of the railway, and in 2018 the group was told the council was selling off the land for development.
But after a campaign to save the space, the council decided to lease the land for community use.
Hannah Harcia, one of the team behind the project, said: “We were delighted that over 100 people joined us for a community coffee morning to discuss the plans for the Railway Street Project, and another 450 more have viewed the plans online.
“Eighteen months of consultation – and our own experiences living here in Splott – show clearly how much skill, generosity, and creativity we have here in our local community, and how passionate local people are to ensure that Splott and Adamsdown are wonderful places to live.
“The planning application for the site has now been submitted and while we wait to find out if it’s been successful we’ll keep doing everything we can to raise the funds to make this plan a reality.”
Green Squirrel said it has raised £60,000, which should cover the initial ground works. Further funding will be needed to cover the other building work and to pay two staff members