Mixed-use scheme to regenerate Cardiff site

A mixed-use scheme featuring about 100 luxury flats and commercial units could be built in Cardiff city centre if recently submitted plans are granted consent.Developer Portabella, through agent CW Architects, has put forward plans for a site on Trade Street with the majority of the existing buildings to be demolished to make for the new scheme.The company is also behind a residential project on the site of the grade II-listed Churchills Hotel in Llandaff which was granted planning consent in June 2015.The latest application proposes a total of 97 one- and two-bedroom flats in an L-shaped six-storey block and a ten-storey ‘tower’.There are current two retail units fronting onto Trade Street and these will be retained to provide retail, café/restaurant or other commercial uses. A total of 45 car parking spaces are also included.Portabella has said it hopes the scheme will be the catalyst for a new urban village and the regeneration of the Trade Street area.The new commercial units have been designed to provide a more “lively” street scene, in comparison to residential-only developments, and offer space for smaller businesses to grow.