The people of Cardiff have given their views on Central Square - and it's safe to say they haven't held back. Previously home to the dilapidated bus terminal, a 1950s office block, fast-food restaurants and charity shops, the area around Cardiff Central train station was transformed beyond recognition into the Central Square we know - but, it seems, many of us don't love - today.
It was intended to be a "new gateway to the capital of Wales" - the first thing visitors to the city will lay their eyes on as they emerge from the train station. An amalgamation of towering buildings - including the BBC Cymru Wales headquarters, Cardiff University's School of Journalism, and the UK Government Hub - loom over grey flagstones.
We're semi-joking - it's not all doom and gloom. If you ever find yourself on a sunny day in Central Square, it's a place full of vitality, with office workers and commuters scurrying about, people eating their lunch outside, and even some skateboarders displaying their tricks. The concrete jungle also had a welcome addition recently, with the erection of the statue of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher, in front of the UK Government hub in September last year.
READ MORE: The areas where Cardiff has changed beyond all recognition in the last 20 years
But the space has also made headlines for the wrong reasons, too. Last year, we reported your views on the metal Christmas tree erected in the middle of the square, which one person compared to scaffolding. Central Square is also home to the long-awaited new bus station, which is currently underway. It was originally intended to be built and operational by December 2017, but it won't be until 2023 that passengers can actually use it - meaning the capital has now been without a proper bus station for more than six years. The UK Government hub building in the square was also mired in controversy last year, with plans to emblazon a huge Union Jack flag on its side rejected following public outcry.
So, what do the people of Cardiff really think of Central Square? On Wednesday, we asked our followers on our CardiffOnline Facebook page whether they liked the look of the large public space. We received more than 120 comments - and, sadly, the views were pretty unanimous. Denise Leech branded it a "concrete wasteland", with "no landscaping or environmental attractiveness at all", while Alex Drennan called it "sterile". Jean Dawe said although she was born in Cardiff she doesn't recognise any part of it now and "would hate to move back".
Marilyn Bendon went even further with her criticism, writing: "Whoever had this bright idea deserves to be sacked. It's awfully not like the Cardiff we are proud of. Take me to the civic centre where architecture was built into our city." Meanwhile, Mikey Millar thinks there is "no daylight in the area anymore". He continued: "It could be any city in the western world. Very bland and boring. The planning department have a lot to answer for."
Others commented on the uncomfortable proximity of the buildings, including Colin Haynes who wrote: "[It's] totally soulless. Travelling through the concrete jungle, I feel claustrophobic". Vince Malfatti put forward the same sentiment, albeit a bit more tentatively, writing: "I suppose it’s modern and progressive for the city but I think that they’d look better if they were spaced out a bit more."
Steve Jones was rather poetic with his view, writing, "An unappealing, characterless, concrete common space, nestled between unappealing, characterless, modern tower blocks. Apart from that it's ok." Dave Stan also got in touch with his literary side, declaring that Central Square was "like walking through Mordor" - referring to the desolate, shadowy, volcanic wasteland in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Justifying this dramatic description, Dave said the square is "imposing" and "the buildings to the left as you come out are really dark and gloomy".
Admittedly, there were a couple of comments that espoused a more positive view. Greg Wilcox said the square is "very modern and so much nicer than St. David’s House, the old bus station and the Asty’s building. Certainly a better first look at the city from a visitor point of view." Tony Lloyd was also hopeful that some life and colour could be injected into the area, writing: "Let's hope that when the construction is completed that colour, art, mosaics, pavement cafe, plants, flowers, flags, street furniture, stalls, statues, pop-up entertainers will add some charm and flavour."
