Cardiff tower set for green light

Plans to build a 30-storey tower in Cardiff, which could yield a sizeable economic boost for the city, look set to be backed this week.The application is lined up for a site on Guildford Crescent, which was formerly home to six late-19th century terraced buildings arranged in a curve along the street.These were occupied by restaurants and a music venue prior to their demolition in September 2019.Lined up instead is a 30-storey tower comprising 272 build-to-rent apartments.These would be split into 140 one-bedroom flats and 132 two-bedroom flats, and would include internal and external communal spaces, ancillary cycle storage and refuse storage.The ground floor would comprise 4,100 sq ft of commercial floorspace across up to four individual units.The design of the development – which would be car-free – would be viewed as three blocks that vary from 30 storeys to 26 storeys and finally 22 storeys.A planning statement submitted to the council said: “Essentially, the proposed development at Guildford Crescent is a high quality, centrally located and sustainable development that will provide an attractive place to live, with an excellent level of amenity for future residents.”The BtR apartments will meet a specific identified need in the housing market.”The commercial ground floor space will create an active and attractive frontage that will also benefit the wider area and presents an opportunity to transform Guildford Crescent into a vibrant and desirable area, through facilitating major public realm works and attracting additional footfall that can support businesses in the immediate and surrounding area.”Cardiff Council’s planning committee – which will meet on 3 November – has been advised to grant approval.