Cardiff University has unveiled plans for a major new student accommodation development on the former Brickyard Business Park site in Gabalfa. The proposal, published for public consultation, would see a 665-bed block built on vacant land where industrial buildings were demolished in 2018.
The development is intended to house first-year university students and would be located next to the existing Talybont North and Gate residences, as well as food and retail units off Excelsior Road. The six-storey building would include a reception area, social hubs, multifunction rooms, laundry rooms, and three external courtyard areas with seating. Car parking, recycling areas, and cycle stands are also planned.
Flats and Access
The proposed flats range from four to seven beds, each with a shared communal kitchen and living area. The development would act as a "key gateway" into the wider Talybont residences from Excelsior Road, with a new access road planned next to McDonald's.
DPP Planning, preparing the full planning application on behalf of Cardiff University, said the proposals respond to the university's "changing and growing accommodation requirements." The plans suggest the new development would create additional headroom to enable refurbishments of existing stock, which are currently not possible due to full occupancy during term time.
Consultation and History
The plans state the accommodation would be accessible by walking, cycling, public transport, or car. DPP Planning's proposals conclude: "Overall, the proposal represents a sustainable and well-considered form of development which will regenerate a vacant site, support Cardiff University’s operational needs, and deliver clear economic, social and environmental benefits to Cardiff."
This is not the first proposal for the site. In 2018, a scheme for 646 students was prepared but not progressed. The new application is an "updated and refined proposal." Members of the public are asked to submit feedback by Monday, August 17, before a formal planning application is submitted to Cardiff Council.
