THE FACE of Cardiff will continue its transformation in the new year after a number of major developments were given the go ahead recently.
A historic former cinema and bowling alley in Roath will be demolished, as will the popular former Debenhams department store in the city centre.
The next phases of redeveloping another former department store – Howells – will take a step forward with plans to restore a former chapel on site having also been granted permission.
Here are the stand out plans that were approved by Cardiff Council in December.
Howells redevelopment
The next stages of redeveloping the once popular Howells department store in the city centre have been given the go ahead.
Redevelopment of the site is taking place in phases and plans for the first, which will involve the Percy Thomas building on the corner of Wharton Street and St Mary Street, were approved in 2019 with additional works to the roof given the green light in 2023.
Phases two and three will see the old Bethany English Baptist Chapel, dating back to 1807, restored and brought back to life as a food market or restaurant.
The Wharton Street building to the south of the site will include bars, restaurants and 61 studio apartments on the upper floors. It will also receive a four-storey roof extension.
Gaiety Cinema
The proposed demolition of an old cinema in Roath which has been empty for more than a decade has been granted planning approval.
Cardiff Council approved plans for the demolition of the Gaiety Cinema, which also used to house a bingo hall and bowling alley, this month.
The building was constructed in 1912 for the Splott Cinema Company and eventually closed in 2006 when it was a spin bar and bowling alley.
Plans were submitted years ago to turn the building into a bar and restaurant, but this was refused by the council’s planning department.
The new owners of the site, Draycott Group, wish to turn it into affordable housing once demolition is complete.
Former Debenhams store
After months of speculation, plans were published for the demolition of the old Debenhams store in Cardiff city centre in November this year.
The building has been closed since the department store chain closed all of its UK stores in 2021.
Cardiff Council gave planning approval for the building to be demolished in late December.
The company that owns it, Landsec, has revealed plans for an urban park on the site which could host live music and add to the city’s street food scene.
Moira Terrace
Listed building consent has been granted for the redevelopment of a section of road in Adamsdown.
The permission means that the redevelopment of 9-22 Moira Terrace, which proposes residential and mixed commercial uses, can go ahead.
Residential accommodation at the Grade II listed stretch of Moira Terrace will consist of 20 one to two-bed apartments.
A design and access statement attached to the plans states that the applicant, Cardiff Community Housing Association, is seeking to create “fit for purpose residential accommodation with good quality flexible commercial space”.
