Developers renew bid to demolish Victorian pub saved following protests just last year
Alex Seabrook, local democracy reporter
Developers have renewed plans to demolish a Victorian pub in Roath, after previously proposing to build flats there.
The Roath Park pub would be knocked down under the new plans, but it is not clear what would be built in its place.
Last year developers applied for planning permission to knock down the pub and replace it with a seven-storey block of 37 apartments, but they withdrew those plans in December.
Now Ventura Developments have again applied for planning permission from Cardiff council to knock down the pub on 170 City Road.
In planning documents, Ventura said it wanted to “discover what was acceptable redevelopment”, ahead of releasing proper plans to build something on the site.
They said: “A planning application to demolish the pub and redevelop the site was refused permission by the council.
Consultation
“The applicant didn’t appeal that decision, but instead proposes to engage in pre-application consultation with the council to discover what the council would regard as an acceptable form of redevelopment, prior to submitting another planning application.
“The Roath Park pub was disposed of by its previous owner Brains because of its unprofitability. It was bought by the applicant company who has no interest in re-opening the pub.
“The applicant seeks to redevelop the site with a mixed use, comprised of commercial uses on the ground floor with residential above.”
Labour councillors in Roath campaigned last year to save the pub from demolition, objecting to the previous planning application, while hundreds petitioned against the plans.
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Another English based company trying to plunder our heritage.
I am sure there are plenty of old pubs in England they can knock down to build flats, they dont need to come to Cardiff.
I trust Cardiff Council will stick to their guns and reject the application once more.
Don’t bet your last shilling on that happening given Cardiff’s track record.
I’m not emotionally tied to living in the past. A historical building has not right to stand forever.
But destroying retail and service for yet more residential is only going to cause problems.
Upon further consideration, I know this area and a 7 storey block of flats is a terrible idea for this traditionally low-rise area. There’s something similar just down the street and some of the buildings around it are in shade for most of the day, ruining the quality of life for those within. There’s also a handy perpetually dark narrow alley between the tall flats and it’s unlucky neighbour which is in perpetual darkness. Handy for drug dealers, predators and other criminals who want to do business NEAR the busy road duo of clubs, pubs and takeaways in the middle… Read more »
Yes Let’s demolish Cardiff Castle tomorrow, it’s just an old historical building who bloody needs it. God how I hate sycophantic sods who bend over backwards to please those with power. Let’s lick the boots of the corrupt money men running this city with full cooperation of local govt. It worked for Mussoloni and other tyrants!! The Roath could easily be converted to a restaurant with flats above, Cardiff Council like with Guildford terrace could intervene and protect it as in the public interest! The Welsh Assembly govt could show some backbone instead of hiding like cowards! Have you been… Read more »