Plans in for 22-storey Cardiff tower

A new 22-storey tower, forming part of a development comprising more than 300,000 sq ft of office space, could soon be built in Cardiff city centre if newly submitted plans are granted consent.JR Smart has lodged proposals for the John Street site, which forms part of its wider Capital Quarter scheme.The company is proposing three blocks – of 22, 12 and ten storeys – which would provide 306,000 sq ft of office space and could accommodate 3,600 workers.Retail units would be built on the ground floor, with cafes and restaurants planned for the existing railway arches.Two public squares would be created, with roof terraces at the top of each block and, potentially, a rooftop ‘beacon’ using lighting at the top of the development.JR Smart agreed a deal to purchase the land from the Welsh Government last year.The site previously featured a range of uses, including parking, light industrial and a circus training school, but is now empty with the old buildings having recently been demolished.