The Paddle Steamer looks set to be replaced with 28 council houses
ONE of Butetown’s historic landmarks, The Paddle Steamer, is set to be knocked down to make way for family apartments later this year.
Despite protests from local community members, Cardiff Council announced over the Christmas break that it would be going ahead with the demolition, with no plans to reinstate the cafe.
Located in Loudon Square, The Paddle Steamer has been an iconic and unique Butetown facility for over 50 years.
Community leaders regularly use it to meet vulnerable residents and support them with their difficult needs, from state benefits advice to immigration guidance.
The proposal to demolish The Paddle Steamer was first announced in December 2019.
This prompted the organisation, Reclaim Cardiff, to start a campaign to save the much-loved community cafe. The channel is known for spreading awareness to ensure the safety of Butetown facilities and have written twice to Huw Thomas, the leader of Cardiff Council, openly opposing the plans.
A spokesperson said: “This is a prime example of the kind of disregard Cardiff council has for its residents, accommodating the preferences of developers over those of residents.
“It is all the more invidious that this is occurring in Butetown where communities have historically been ignored, at a time where Huw Thomas has established a BAME Taskforce.
“Given everything that has happened in recent months it displays the breath-taking arrogance of a council cabinet that postures around these issues, but when an opportunity arises to make small yet significant material changes, they are nowhere to be seen.”
Council leader Huw Thomas set up the BAME group in response to the Black Lives Matter protests last summer. The task-force have since tackles issues such as how BAME communities can be supported in getting employed; and finding solutions against discrimination in Cardiff.
One of the supporters of the cafe, who runs the social media group Butetown Matters, was concerned about the amended plans.
“An appeal led by us and attracting 1,000s of signatures and support for a replacement cafe to be included as part of the new development fell on deaf ears.
Despite objections and campaigning, the revised plans will see the Paddle Steamer demolished and have no community space for a replacement. We will continue to campaign and fight for the Paddle.”
This comes just a few weeks after the Cardiff council approved plans to build a Museum of Military Medicine in Britannia Park.
Cardiff council will discuss the matter at a planning committee tomorrow afternoon (January 27).
