Yahoo News 'More student flats yet families with nowhere to live': The row over a legendary nightclub's future
Proposals for a 28-storey student housing complex at the site of the now-closed, once legendary Tiger Tiger nightclub on Greyfriars Road in Cardiff have been recommended for approval by the county council planning committee. But many local businesses are unhappy with the project and worried if it will really benefit Cardiff? Readers in WalesOnline's comments section aren't so sure.
Local companies opposing the plan include the Principality Building Society, which is close by, and Hotel Indigo Cardiff. Both insist the new construction will obstruct light and severely disrupt the neighbourhood while it is being built. The building society requested that a light impact study be conducted on its property since there was a possibility the new development might eventually be transformed into residential apartments. The hotel was particularly concerned with potential noise disruption, how long construction would take, and the potential impact on deliveries to the hotel.
Commenter JeffWales argued that: 'The idea for development is a good one in theory, but the practice of what exactly this plot of land will be used for needs further thought and perhaps even involving the general public being asked for their opinion." He went on to say: "There is already more than enough student accommodation in the area overall, there are numerous office blocks, some of which stand empty because of high rental charges. But young families are struggling and should be given more chances at reasonable cost." For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here
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Lesley Jones echoed JeffWales' sentiments: "Exactly the same as Swansea. More and more student accommodation yet families STILL on housing lists with nowhere to live!"
Ohwhatsthepoint was concerned that: "Many student accommodations in Cardiff are designed as one-bedroom flats but rent as two bedroom share kitchen/bathroom to students. Developer will soon claim they can't fill them and council will approve change of use to one-bedroom private rentals, what their original intention was."
However CS1 countered these arguments: "All fair comment. But in this case the benefit is clear. The building is an improvement. The new occupants will spend money in city centre businesses. And more students in purpose built accommodation will free up family homes in Cathays." Welsh Desertlad agreed with CS1, saying: "Looks good and a lot better than anything currently on the site. Students are great for the city."
On a different note, BlueBuoy was anxious that the development would not enhance the city: "Does need updating but is there any chance engineers and architects could use a bit of imagination!!", but conversely Styo felt that, "given that is it is replacing an already hideous development then no objections from me, building high is a more efficient use of land."
Cardiff Council's planning committee will convene to make a decision on the development at a meeting on Thursday, April 11.
Is more student accommodation good for Cardiff? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
