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Flats furore

FLATS FURORE

Residents’ anger at Taff Mead apartments

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RESIDENTS ON THE Taff Embankment are battling to stop a flats development they claim is out of character with the area.

Developers Rightacres – behind much of the new city centre and Brain’s Brewery redevelopments – want to build 74 flats on the site of the old Track 2000 warehouse.

Although the height has been reduced down to a maximum six storeys and the number of flats dropped by 12, residents are still unhappy about the height, traffic congestion and the Bottleworks building not blending in with Edwardian properties.

A petition has been launched, with a deadline for objections set for December 13th.

Residents say they are not opposed to any development – but want something smaller in scale and more in keeping.

They have pointed to more modest developments on the old Inn on the River and FA Jones sites.

Rightacres believe their plans are a “stepping stone” which “ticks boxes in respect of the

sustainable and regeneration initiatives.”

The number of parking places have been increased to 57, mostly in a basement carpark,

Campaigners believe it could mean 148 extra vehicles using Pentre Gardens.

They have dubbed the planned building “Bottleneck”. Local councillors Ashley Lister and Lynda Thorne have also expressed their concerns and attended a packed public meeting during an earlier consulation phase.

But residents are unhappy the developers have refused a meeting since their final plans were submitted.

“We’re not against change, but really feel that Grangetown is disappearing and being swallowed up by city centre developments, like Central Square which is now dominated by huge buildings, with more to be developed,” said long-time residents Annette and Edward Woodyatt.

Another Jan Birch told us: “New housing in Grangetown should be family friendly. In Grangetown we have schools

and parks and play areas fit for kids and extended families, and they are all well used. The new development, as I understand it, is completely at odds with this.”

With an eye to the forthcoming Central Quay brewery development, as far as the river bank opposite, many residents are expressing worries that this latest proposal is a step too far.

“Grangetown has been historically separated by the natural boundary of the Taff,” said another resident, Simon Newman.

He worries that “mediocre” flats developments in the city centre were in danger of “creeping” across the river.

He said the main front of the Bottleworks would look towards Central Quay “with which it evidently identifies.”

He added: “In doing so, this development self consciously turns it’s back on the residential community upon which it is being imposed.”

Residents will take their case to the planning committee in the New Year.

Is Grangetown’s character under threat?

THE BOTTLEWORKS plans have certainly created a strong reaction from residents living close to the River Taff.

Grangetown was developed within the pre-existing boundaries of the railway and the Ely and Taff rivers and that helped it develop its own distinctive community over generations, despite being on the doorstep of the city centre.

But what is ahead – with the planned Central Quay and other city centre developments right on our doorstep?

There is the possibility of a 28- storey residential tower as part of Central Quay on the opposite side of the Taff in the not too distant future too.

Although carefully described in the developers’ blurb as “only a concept,” nevertheless the potential for a 200-flat high rise is expressed in how it would provide a “placemarker” for the project.

Rightcares says the introduction of tall buildings “can signal transformation of an area, raise its profile and bring the investor confidence that is critical to delivery as signalling transformation”.

Meanwhile, Bottleworks has been described as a “stepping stone” but that has been more of a threat than a promise to residents around Pentre Gardens.

“I’m not interested in property values increasing in Grangetown and I don’t think this kind of development improves the area at all,” said resident

“It’s all a bluff by developers to convince people that it will make them rich when, as we all know, the ridiculous cost of housing in cities all over Britain benefits only them and destroys cities for residents.”

Residents believe they can argue that what is proposed is against planning guidance and is an attempt to “steamroller” the council on the back of city centre developments.

“Clearly the scale and design of the Bottleworks is entirely out of character and scale with the local area in every respect,” added another resident Simon Newman.

It comes as urban design students at Cardiff University start looking at Grangetown, as part of a long term research project to examine the relationship between design, housing and gentrification.

The hope is to develop ways in which existing residents might be far more closely involved in building the vision and design of the area’s future.

Leading the project is Prof Aseem Inam, who has experience all over the world, most recently in New York but also Las Vegas and Canada.

Initially it’s about understanding Grangetown, not just its buildings and character, but land, finance and community - and to come up with “creative and feasible” proposals.

“I think it’s a wonderful area, I’ve met quite a few people, done quite a bit of research,” said Prof Inam.

“The main thing is it’s got a lot of

potential, provided we do the right thing. My feeling is the right thing is not happening right now.

“One of the main goals for us is to find out, what is that right thing in the future, in terms of housing, in terms of public facilities, infrastructure. “

Living so close to the city centre brings particular challenges to Grangetown – and this could have an impact over the next decade.

“I think with these new developments, a lot of people earning fairly good salaries in these new offices will want to live in Grangetown because it’s nearby, which has happened in other places,” said Prof Inam.

“It will push rents up, push house prices up. Some people might be happy because they can sell their house and make a profit. But overall it’s not a good thing because it pushes people – that wonderful mix of ethnicities, the restaurants and

shops – they will get pushed out. And if we’re not careful in 10 or 20 years it will be Starbucks and Macdonalds. For the affordablity of houses and independent businesses – that protection could be physical, financial, policy. It’s not easy but it has to be if we value Grangetown.”

Prof Inam said some businesses might get a boost “but at what cost?” “It’s individual benefit but public cost. A few businesses might benefit but overall you homogenise the neighbourhood, you push prices up, so it’s only people earning six figures or higher – not soon, perhaps in 10 years – who live there. It’s happened in parts of London. We have to learn our lessons from that.

“It’s very tempting to see the money come in but it’s about density and diversity, a mix of people supporting different businesses. It’s not easy to do but it’s feasible.”

Artist Impressions of the Bottleworks proposal (left, with the original height shaded). Above and below are concept drawings for the Central Quay later phases, on the opposite side of the River Taff to Grangetown. Plans have been passed for the first phase on the old Brain’s brewery site.

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