Ash wrote:I'm trying to understand where Cllr. Clark is coming from on this one but I'm struggling a bit. Charles Street is, if I recall correctly, a conservation area but it's only the central section that retains the original buildings. The northern and southern ends both consist of post-1980 buildings.
Yes, you are quite right, only the central bit is original. But in my opinion (and my views on old buildings are well known on this forum now), what value do these buildings have? Why should they be preserved? Are they any more special than the University Buildings of Splott or the York Hotel? No. There is absolutely nothing special about these buildings either historically or architecturally and I don't see why they must be retained.
To me (and I am biased) this project has enormous potential to act as a catalyst for further regenation work around this area. It will bring a constant flow of people and activity to the area. I'm hoping (I should stress that I have no word of any such plans) that the MA Rapport's buiding/plot will be next and that the regeneration of this area continues down the railway line. Maybe reconfigure Guildford Crescent to provide better access to the Atrium and the Captial Quarter developments?
Another Admiral-style office would be fantastic down here.