Plans for major Cardiff Bay redevelopment advance

Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter

Plans for a major development at Atlantic Wharf in Cardiff Bay, including a new indoor arena, have advanced, with the site currently being marketed to developers.

Cardiff Council announced that the opportunity to redevelop Atlantic Wharf has now been presented to the market.

The proposed area for redevelopment covers about 30 acres and includes the planned indoor arena, County Hall and The Red Dragon Centre.

Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for investment and development, Cllr Russell Goodway, said: “Following Cabinet’s approval in July, the Council is now ready to engage with the private sector to bring forward proposals that will transform this historic part of Cardiff into a leading UK destination for leisure, culture and tourism.

“The marketing of the site will deliver the ancillary facilities for the indoor arena, as well as modern office space and a production studio, which will create further jobs and investment into this part of Cardiff Bay.

“Despite the challenging economic climate, the Council is committed to transform this part of Cardiff Bay which will benefit local people by creating much needed jobs and opportunities for local people.”

The council said in July that construction work on the arena is expected to start by the end of this year.

Split

Following a cabinet meeting in the same month, it was also agreed that the project to redevelop Atlantic Wharf will be split into two parts.

About seven acres of land north of Hemmingway Road, containing the current County Hall site, will be taken forward through a procurement process.

This will start with a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) giving four weeks for developers to declare their interest.

Up to three bidders will then be shortlisted and taken through a detailed tender process which the council is aiming to complete by spring next year.

Cardiff Council said it is scheduled to come to a decision on the future of its office spaces, including County Hall, by the end of the year ahead of concluding a business case by the spring before the final redevelopment proposal is chosen.

The remaining 11.3 acres of land south of Hemmingway Road containing The Red Dragon Centre and land immediately adjoining will be marketed as a land transaction.

This process will run for eight weeks and will seek to secure a developer to enter into an ‘option agreement’ to bring forward a phased mixed-use development including the relocation of tenants of The Red Dragon Centre into a new purpose-built space.