Council proposes land acquisition as part of major development

Glamorgan Star news 14/07/2022

1 minute read

The layout of the wider Atlantic Wharf redevelopment Image: Rio Architects

An image showing the area (outlined in darker blue) that the council is proposing to acquire from Future Inn. Image: Cardiff Council.

This image shows the revised plans for the multi storey car park as part of the Atlantic Wharf development, with the green outline representing that newly proposed positioning. Image: Cardiff Council.

This image shows the initial plans for the car park (outlined in green), which would have had to be built over the dock feeder - represented by the blue lines. Image: Cardiff Council.

Council proposes land acquisition as part of major development

Cardiff Council has its sights set on a land acquisition that could see major plans to develop Atlantic Wharf altered.

The council is proposing to purchase land in Butetown owned by Future Inn in order to alter the position of the planned multi-storey car park which is part of the development.

Part of the idea behind changing the position of the multi-storey car park is to reduce construction costs, which have rocketed and are expected to increase further.

Cardiff Council’s Director of Economic Development, Neil Hanratty said the cost increase in traditional build is “absolutely substantial”, adding that with hyper-inflation the council is estimating a further increase on this in the region of 30% to 50%.

The acquisition of 0.8 acres of land owned by Future Inn would allow the re-alignment of the multi-storey car park development by about 90 degrees.

In doing this, the need to build over the dock feeder would be avoided and cheaper construction methods can be used. Acquisition costs will be from the multi-storey car park budgeted allocation.

As well as the proposal for a 1,300-space car park, the Atlantic Wharf development plans include a 15,000-capacity arena for live concerts and sports, outdoor space, new homes and office space.

Cardiff Council’s cabinet today (Thursday, 14th July) approved a compulsory purchase order in principle to pave the way for the land acquisition.

Further details about the land acquisition, including the price the council is proposing to pay will remain confidential until a deal has been concluded.

By Ted Peskett, Local Democracy Reporter