Residents disappointed ‘overbearing’ development is going ahead
PLANS for the development of the Clearwater Way shopping parade, including two more floors of flats being built above the shops, have been approved by Cardiff Council.
All the retail units on Clearwater Parade are in use, due to a scheme by the landlord to rent them out as six-month pop-up shops. The landlord had previously been turning down new tenants because of the possibility of the building work.
The landlord has agreed to make a community contribution, paying to improve traffic regulation, add double yellow lines on the Carnegie Drive/Clearwater Way junction, dropped kerbs and tactile pavement.
However this community payment, a section 106 agreement, was reduced by 80% because a viability report said the landlord would make no profit from the development.
Maureen Archard, who lives on Clearwater Way, said: “Everyone around here’s very disappointed that planning’s going ahead. There seems to be no redress now, so we’ve just got to accept it.”
She said residents’ concerns had not been lessened by changes during the planning process, which reduced the scale of the development and had the top floor set back in the building to lessen overlooking.
Residents had expressed worries they would be “hemmed in” and were worried the “already dangerous” traffic situation would be worsened.
The agent for the developer said: “The development will provide a commercial centre that the local area deserves. The current arcade is tired and neglected following very little investment over a number of decades, prior to our client’s purchase of the site. With no designated local centre for at least a mile in any direction, the proposed development will vastly enhance the vernacular and be a vibrant addition to the community.”
