Cardiff Council has approved plans to demolish the former Wolf's Castle Inn in Llanishen and replace it with 24 socially rented homes. The 19th-century farmhouse, which operated as a pub until its closure in August 2022, will be cleared to make way for a development comprising a three-storey block of 12 flats, a smaller block of two flats, and 10 single dwellings.
Council approval and housing need
The officer's report for the application states: "The proposed housing would comprise 100% 'social rented' dwellings. The housing type has been designed to meet a specific housing need as identified by the council's strategic housing delivery team. It is anticipated that the funding for the proposed development would be provided through the social housing grant (SHG) subject to Welsh Government agreement."
The decision was made at a council meeting where local councillors expressed support for the housing aspect, though some raised concerns about infrastructure. Cllr Garry Hunt, speaking as a ward councillor, applauded the housing scheme but highlighted the narrowness of Wolf Castle Avenue, saying: "It is a very narrow road… not this sort of traffic."
Councillor perspectives
Cllr Jon Shimmin argued that empty buildings "attract antisocial behaviour" and that "something needs to be done with the site." This view was echoed by Cllr Helen Gunter. Cllr Sean Driscoll called it a "good development for that site" but said it was "regrettable" the pub had to close, adding: "I am sure it holds a lot of memories for locals there."
Public objections
Five objections were submitted with the planning application, primarily focusing on the scale of the three-storey block of flats. One objection reads: "The proposed three-storey structure is out of keeping with the existing character and scale of surrounding properties, which are predominantly lower-rise. The development represents overdevelopment of the site and would be visually intrusive within the street scene."
Another objection states: "Whilst the use of the land to develop affordable housing per se has for the most part been met with cautious approval the proposed erection of a three-storey block of flats in the area has been seen as totally inappropriate for a number of reasons."
Historical assessment
The historical value of the pub's main building was assessed as "low" by council planning officers due to "substantial alterations in the 1950s that eroded its original early 19th-century farmhouse character." The pub, which dates back to the early 19th century, had been a local landmark before its closure.
