The popular pub stood at the heart of the community for 64 years until it closed its door two and a half years ago
PLANS for 25 new council homes on a historic pub site in Llanishen have divided opinion among local residents who have concerns over anti-social behaviour, parking and privacy.
Residents were invited to a drop-in session on February 19 to discuss the council’s plans for 13 new homes, a 12-unit block of flats and an improved streetscape.
Some welcomed the plans, including Jo Roberts, 46, who has lived opposite the pub for two years.
“I’m glad something is finally being done because there’s always teenagers hanging around in big groups, throwing things, and messing about over there,” Ms Roberts said.
“I have a doorbell camera, and in January I was contacted by the police to ask if I had footage of a woman who got her phone and wallet robbed by a group of teenagers loitering outside the pub. It is really intimidating for us who live here.
“My children are 10 and 13, and I won’t let them play over there, not even in the daytime.”
Residents have said teenagers have been loitering around the site since it was left abandoned. Credit: Joe Hearn
Councillor Garry Hunt said: “The initial talks were for a complex for the elderly or something for community use, which we were happy with.
“Residents have said they want it to become an open space, which in the ideal world is great. But we must support the housing need, and the real housing crisis right now is for families.”
The development is part of Cardiff Council’s new programme to deliver more than 4,000 homes across the city, following a report last year revealing that more than 8,000 people are on the community housing waiting list.
The council’s development and regeneration team, which works to improve housing, local environments and community facilities, said the homes will be “designed to be easy to live in and efficient to run and have the potential to adapt to new circumstances around modern family needs, with private gardens and outdoor spaces, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and bicycle storage”.
However, some residents have raised concerns about the impact the new development will have for those living in the area.
Mark Grunewald, 65, said: “I have no problem if they want to build the new houses, but to build flats in a residential area? It just can’t work.
“Every other house in the area is two-storey. You have something three-storey, and all your privacy is gone.
“The site at the moment is an anti-social wasteland. Drugs are regularly dealt from there, and when you try and ring the police, nothing happens.
“What’s going to happen when they build these flats? You can guarantee, now out of sight from the main road, it will be used for dealing drugs.”
Image: Mark Grunewald believes the new flats will cause an increase in anti-social behaviour. Credit: Joe Hearn
The abandoned site is currently used by parents dropping off and picking up their children from nearby Llanishen High School.
“At half past eight, this area is horrendous. You shut off the car park and what are we left with for parents? It will be a logistical nightmare,” he said.
Doug Heart, 51, said: “We don’t seem to make green spaces or anything for the community anymore.
“There’s a primary school nearby. Why not make an urban farm where kids can learn and create? I think it’s wasted potential.
“Redevelop the pub space that’s fine. But we’re struggling to park as it is at the moment.
“New housing is just going to create chaos in an already busy residential area.”
Doug Heart would like to see something built for the community. Credit: Joe Hearn
The proposal is currently at the surveying stage, and feedback from the community will be used to help develop the design before the pre-application consultation goes ahead later in the year.
