gair rhydd Monday October 24 2011 | freeword – Est. 1972 | Issue 960
The great divide gair rhydd investigates the changing fortunes of the University’s two largest residences
£220, 000 refurbishment of Talybont Social Plans for new 179 student block at Talybont
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Uni Hall Bar closes Facilities deteriorate
Left: The newly refurbished Talybont social; Right: The closed doors of Uni Halls Bar
New six storey house for Talybont North Barred Matt Jones News Editor Plans are being made for a new building that will house up to 179 students in Talybont North student residences. The new six storey block will be built on the site of the overflow car park at Talybont Gate. Currently the project is still in early stages of planning, but projected costs are estimated to be around £6.5 million. It is expected that construction will take place from early 2012 until Summer 2013. One major concern about the project could be that noisy construction work will be taking place in the same vicinity as students who are working in their flats. This would be a particular problem during exam preparation when most students will be attempting revision. Ben Jones, a 2nd year Bioscience student who lived in
Talybont North last year, said “It’s hard enough adjusting to first year in uni anyway let alone coping with the noise of building work, especially before exams”. However, when asked whether they shared worries about potential disruption a University spokesperson said: “The construction site is at the edge of the Talybont site and is separated to a certain extent from existing residences on Talybont North. “The construction process will be managed and overseen by Campus Services and Estates and in liaison with the appointed contractors to ensure the minimum disruption to students living on Talybont.” This is in fact the third proposal made by Cardiff University this year to build additional student housing in the area around Talybont. Plans were also submitted for a 249 flat project on Mynachdy
Road, just the other side of the railway line from Talybont North, and also a block of 23 flats at Cross Place in Maindy. Both of these proposals were met with concern from local residents, who felt that the area would not be able to sustain the parking that additional student housing would bring, and also that it could disturb what is seen as a quiet area. The new Talybont North proposals have also drawn apprehension over the fact that the new building will stand on the current overflow car park. Some residents are worried that the additional cars brought by students moving into the new block will be too many for the area. However, the University does not see this as a problem. A spokesperson said “Generally we discourage students from bringing vehicles with them to Univer-
sity. Those students who require parking are directed to apply for halls of residences that have parking spaces available.” Local councillor for Gabalfa, Ed Bridges, wrote to gair rhydd asking current Talybont residents for their responses to the proposals so that he could bring their opinions to the planning committee. He expressed some concern about the height of the new building, which will be six storeys rather than the four storeys that the other Talybont houses currently have. A spokesperson said: “The site does naturally drop down towards the edge of Talybont and so the new building will be an appropriate height alongside existing buildings, both in terms of University buildings and private sector businesses in the area and the general surroundings.”
The Taboo Issue
Laura Evans and Henry Mcmorrow News Editors
As of this academic year, the bar located at the University Halls Student Residences has been closed. University Halls, housing 672 students is the second largest of Cardiff student residences. Located 1.75 miles away from the campus, it is the most remote of all Cardiff University accommodation. A University spokesperson explained to gair rhydd: “Campus Services Division have been monitoring the situation with the Bar over a number of years as a result of a severe reduction in its usage by University Hall residents. Following a Business case review in April 2011, it was decided that the Bar would not open for 2011/12.” Continued on page 4...
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