Office block in Welsh city set to be transformed into a “multifunction church and community hub”

Kieran Molloy, Local democracy reporter

An office block is set to be transformed into a “multifunction church and community hub” after council planners give the go-ahead.

The plans were filed by The Bridge Church, which was founded in January 2012 as a church plant from Highfields Church in Cathays, Cardiff.

Planning documents read: “The church operates without a permanent home, having initially rented a space at Corpus Christi High School, multiple hotels and for the past 8 years they have been operating from Pontprennau Primary School.”

The office block, Abacus House in Pentwyn, “provides an excellent opportunity for The Bridge Church to establish a permanent space to deepen their service to the community”.

The church is planning to use the office block as a “7 day a week operation” and “not simply a place where people congregate on Sunday morning only”.

A full range of services and events are planned for the building, including a community connect cafe, youth clubs, debt support services, counselling and befriending, practical support groups as well as summer holiday clubs, quiz nights, community carol singing and more.

The application reads: “Currently, the church operates with the support of two full-time staff members and more than 100 active volunteers.”

It continues: “Should this change of use be granted, plans are underway to double its capacity, create new employment opportunities, and expand and sustain its outreach efforts.”

The change of use was supported by local Cardiff councillors Joe Carter and Dan Naughton, who wrote: “Caxton Place offers a rare opportunity to establish a permanent base for this essential community work.”

“Given shifting patterns in commercial office use and the site’s limited viability for future employment generation, repurposing it for community benefit is a forward-thinking and evidence-led decision.

It continues: “Granting this change of use will empower them to build upon an already impressive track record, delivering measurable, long-term social value in an area that currently lacks the necessary facilities to support its growing and diverse population.”

Planning documents read: “[The church] feel the proposed community offering from the church would create employment, volunteer and engagement opportunities, provide targeted support to vulnerable residents, and serve as a local anchor that fosters connection, development, and resilience—bringing greater direct benefit to the Pentwyn and Pontprennau communities.”

It also said the permission would “catalyse our community impact as we utilise the space full time through expanded services and offer it to locals as a space for connection, community and co-working.”