Wales round-up: Skyscraper proposed for Cardiff city centre; Welsh language measures for Carmarthenshire LDP

Skyscraper proposed for Cardiff city centre

Developer Urban Centric has submitted a second application to build a 25-storey block of flats on a site at Curran Road, just south of Cardiff Central Railway Station.

The Planner

Planning guidance lacks smart energy ambition

Greater national political clarity on the importance of smart energy and climate change is required through planning guidance or a ministerial statement, the RTPI has suggested.

The Planner

Volume appeal casework ‘not good enough’

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has acknowledged that its performance in deciding its volume appeal casework ‘has not been good enough’.

The Planner

SuDS hold up planning applications in England

A report suggests that planning applications in England are twice as likely to be blocked or delayed due to sustainable drainage system (SuDS) design compared to applications in Wales.

The Planner

RTPI appoints diversity consultant

The RTPI has appointed a specialist diversity and inclusion consultant to draw up an action plan that aims to increase the diversity of the town planning profession.

The Planner

Welsh language measures for Carmarthenshire LDP

Councillors in Carmarthenshire have backed moves to include in the county's draft local development plan measures that would mean the Welsh language would be a material planning consideration for all developments of five or more houses in rural parts of the county and 10 or more in urban areas.

Carmarthenshire County Council

Cash for town centre regeneration announced

More than £17 million of Welsh Government funding is to be invested in regenerating town centres and bringing back empty homes into use across the Valleys Taskforce area.

Welsh Government

£18m funding move for Swansea city deal projects

Two key Swansea city deal projects are set to benefit from £18 million in funding. The money will help bankroll the Swansea City Waterfront Digital District, which includes a 3,500-capacity indoor arena, and Carmarthen's creative and digital cluster known as Yr Egin.

Swansea Council

Capital change of use approved

An application for a change of use of the landmark grade II*-listed Howells department store, which will enable the development of a hotel in Cardiff's city centre, has been approved.

Insider Media

Aberdare start-ups mooted

Up to 20 industrial starter units could be built on what was previously a railway shunting area in Robertstown, Aberdare under proposals from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

Insider Media
Uskmouth power plant heads for waste-firing

Following the completion of successful tests on waste derived pellets, Uskmouth power station near Newport - a coal-fired plant -   is on course to be converted at a cost of £185 million to burn waste. It will extend its operational life by 20 years.

Insider Media

Newport Docks plasterboard factory project

Proposals for a 13,935 square metre plasterboard factory on a currently derelict site within the Port of Newport have been revealed by owners Associated British Ports (ABP).

Insider Media

Guildford Terrace demolition

One of Cardiff's last Victorian terraces is set to be largely demolished after councillors approved plans that will mean only the facades and front roof panes of the curved buildings on Guildford Crescent will remain, after negotiations between its owners, the Rapport family, and the city council.

BBC News

Distillery project for Hensol Castle

Plans to convert part of Hensol Castle at Ponyclun into a gin distillery have been approved by Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Insider Media

Rhyl mental hospital refused

Plans to convert a former council office in Rhyl into a private psychiatric hospital for 61 patients has been refused by the planning authority because of the loss of office jobs and floorspace.

Insider Media