Plans for an apartment block in Cardiff on the site of a former youth hostel have been revealed. The designs have been submitted to Cardiff Council's planning department for the proposed block on Wedal Road, Roath, at the plot formerly occupied by the Youth Hostel (YHA) building.
The main YHA building had been lying empty since 2014 after the YHA's lease on the buildings ran out and the site reverted back to Cardiff Council. In 2015 the YHA moved to a transformed former Mercure Hotel on East Tyndall Street, nearer Cardiff city centre.
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, this city centre hostel was used by Cardiff County Council to house homeless people. You can find out more about that here.
In March 2021 the YHA announced they were beginning their search for a new 5-star home in Cardiff, following the agreement to transfer ownership of the East Tyndall Street youth hostel to Cardiff County Council. Read more about that here.
The building and site of the original YHA base in Roath at the end of Wedal Road was put up for auction in February 2016 with a guide price of £350,000, but was withdrawn prior to auction and was sold to a property developer. The Draycott Group purchased the site of the former youth hostel prior to auction in 2016. The building was most recently been used by the Made in Roath festival in 2016, when the space was used as a temporary studio for the annual arts festival. As a hostel, the building hosted 68 bedrooms when operational and also came with a three bedroom detached house called The Lodge, which is now being transformed into two luxury apartments - see inside The Lodge here.
The development company received approval from Cardiff Council for the demolition of the existing main youth hostel buildings in January 2018. The plans for the Wedal Road YHA site were submitted to Cardiff County Council planning department by Asbri Planning in April 2022, acting on behalf of Wales and West Housing.
The plans, under reference 22/00820/MJR on the council's website, reveal a 27 unit building designed in a 'stepped formation' comprising 25 one-bed apartments and 2, two bed apartments.
The apartment block will be stepped from east to west, starting at three storeys, increasing to four, five, and then six along its western elevation, adjacent to the railway line. A single storey space for designated bin collection and cycle parking will occupy the site's easternmost boundary.
The application states both vehicular and pedestrian access will be maintained via the main entrance off Wedal Road, on the site's southern boundary, where the parking provision is located.
The application states that the proposed appearance of the building "has been developed to preserve the character of the surrounding area as the site is located within the Roath Park Conservation Area.
"The built form within close proximity to the site is predominantly comprised of red brick residential properties which feature an intricate design on elevation and stained window panels.".
The documentation goes on to outline the materials used would include 'smooth red brick, expressed red smooth brick detailing feature, red brick rough face and metal railings' regarding the facade.
The roof is proposed to have a single ply roof finish of mid grey and the windows a mix of double and triple glazed, with 'metal rims and rock panel surrounds in copper green'.
The overview of the planning proposal in the main application document goes on to state: "The proposal highlights how the development will make efficient use of the land available to provide affordable dwellings.
"The scheme can therefore enhance the character and appearance of the surrounding area by developing the site to provide a development that is contemporary in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency yet sympathetic in design.
"The proposal, through its design and layout, will provide a distinctive sense of place for occupants and visitors whilst acknowledging and complimenting the existing residential context within Roath.
"To ensure that the development effectively responds to the local context, the principal considerations that will form the chapter, and to which the application will be assessed on, will be the five objectives of good design.
"These are a set of principle considerations that include an assessment of the proposed access, the overall character of the site including the amount, scale and layout, the appearance and landscape, as well as the community safety of the site."
The proposed development states it is designed to be 100 per cent affordable and if successful would be managed by Wales and West Housing. Join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent out to your inbox twice a week to keep up to date with property news, renovation stories and dream homes.
