Development Work at Guildford Crescent Stalls After Controversy Over Demolition of Gwdihw Buildings
Key Highlights :
The Cardiff street of Guildford Crescent has been in a state of limbo since the controversial demolition of 19th century buildings in September 2019. The buildings, which housed popular venue Gwdihw, were levelled to make way for a 30-storey-high apartment block that was approved by Cardiff Council in November 2021. However, little work appears to have been done on site and the partially demolished buildings are still covered in scaffolding with no sign of a building rising from behind it.
The decision to demolish the buildings was met with opposition from members of the community and local politicians, with a petition gaining over 20,000 signatures and 1,000 people marching in the city centre against the plans. Despite this, the plans were approved in July that same year.
Councillors have expressed their disappointment over the state of the crescent and the fact that the development has yet to begin. Speaking on behalf of all Cardiff Council ward members for Cathays, Councillor Chris Weaver said: “We objected to this application, but unfortunately were not successful. We’re disappointed in the state of the crescent as it is now, and hope that the issues that have caused the developer to delay can be resolved. We know the disastrous budget last year has caused economic shocks across the UK. Guildford Crescent is next to a conservation area and to the regeneration works on Churchill Way though, it’s an important part of the city centre and the current state of the site isn’t good for anyone.”
The developer, Galliford Try, said it is hopeful that it will be able to begin the project in the very near future. The plans for the tower include 272 apartments, comprising 140 one-bed flats and 132 two-bed flats, which will be classed as ‘build-to-rent’, meaning none will be available to buy individually.
The delay is reportedly due to the impact on finance markets of global and national economic events, as well as the developer opting to add an additional staircase to the building for safety reasons. An application to amend the planning permission which will allow this was approved by the council in June.
The front of Guildford Crescent remains a reminder of the controversy that has surrounded the site, with Save Gwdihw graffiti still visible on the outside of the wall that housed the popular venue. It is now four years since the venue was forced to close so the development could take place, and Cardiff Council and Galliford Try are hoping that the issues that have caused the project to stall can be resolved soon.
