Plans for Wales' tallest building given green light

Plans to build Wales' tallest building have been given the go-ahead.

The 50-storey skyscraper, which will have a maximum height of 584ft (178m), is set to surpass the current tallest building in Wales, the 29-storey Meridian Tower in Swansea, which stands at 107m (351ft).

If built to the maximum height, the Cardiff development would be the second tallest building in the UK outside of London, after the 200m-tall Deansgate Square South Tower in Manchester.

The development will be built in Central Square, next to Cardiff Central Station, the Principality Stadium and the BBC Cymru Wales headquarters.

The site, which is located between Wood Street and Rose Lane, secured planning permission for a 35-storey mixed-use tower in 2023.

The new development will include 528 apartments, lounges, dining rooms, co-working areas, a cinema, gym and spa, alongside a separate two-storey pavilion building next to it, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

In planning documents to Cardiff Council, applicant REAP 3 Limited, a subsidiary of Bluecastle Capital, said the design had taken "tonal references" from nearby buildings.

"White Portland stone features on several of Cardiff's significant civic buildings and many of the taller city centre buildings feature light tonal façade elements.

"Our façade and material proposals must sit comfortably within the city context and also provide a well mannered façade when viewed from a distance."

Project 5Plus Architects said parts of the façade would also feature "subtle references to Welsh Celtic symbols" that drew inspiration from the country's "rich visual heritage and identity".

Sean Driscoll, a Conservative member for Llandaff ward, called the development an "exclamation mark on the city" and council planning officer, Simon Gilbert likened the skyscraper "to the Flat Iron building in New York".

Welsh Labour member Michael Michael, who represents Trowbridge ward, added: "I see nothing but good in this application."

Members of the planning committee also discussed concerns from Cadw, a Welsh government group which conserves and promotes the nation's heritage, that the view of the high-rise from Cardiff Castle would have a negative impact on the heritage asset.

However, many councillors said they disagreed.