Kieran Molloy

New images show plans for Cardiff Council’s proposed £60m headquarters at Atlantic Wharf, part of the wider regeneration of Cardiff Bay. The project, submitted by Goldbeck Construction Ltd, would combine a contemporary council office with a cultural venue for the Wales Millennium Centre called Capella. Public commenters have criticised the design as bland, overly institutional and insufficiently ambitious, arguing that open space has become secondary to the building. Cardiff Council declined to comment while the live planning application is under consideration.

Residents in Gabalfa, Cardiff, are angry that Cardiff Draconians F.C. has fenced off a path and seating area in Lydstep Park as part of an expansion of its football ground. Adele Herbert says the closure has restricted access to a valued public green space and criticises fencing, stands, dugouts and storage containers, alleging some work lacked planning permission. The club says the closure followed police and community concerns about intimidation, antisocial behaviour and drug activity, and argues that the stands are not permanent structures while promising a retrospective planning application. Cardiff Council says the club has a 30-year lease covering management of part of the park, that the path is not a public right of way, and that it is investigating the improvement works.

A Care Inspectorate Wales inspection found that 3D Care Cardiff’s home support service requires significant improvement in well-being, care and support, and leadership and management. People and families reported late, shortened or missed visits, incomplete tasks, scheduling problems and unresolved concerns, while staffing shortages and high turnover affected continuity of care. The report also identified inadequate assessments, risk management, care planning and oversight, with potential impacts on nutrition, medication, personal care, dignity and trust. A company owner said management is addressing the findings and will work with the regulator. The service is due to be re-inspected in six months.

Associated British Ports has submitted plans to Cardiff Council to demolish the disused Greenergy Cardiff Tank Farm at the Port of Cardiff, including 21 fuel tanks, a warehouse, control room, boiler house and jetty-related buildings. The demolition is expected to take eight to 12 weeks, with preliminary dates running from August 9, 2026, to January 29, 2027. The plans propose dust suppression, noise barriers, vibration monitoring, contamination prevention and waste recycling measures, with mechanical demolition restricted to core working hours near residential areas.

Residents of Cwrt Coles in Tremorfa, Cardiff, say a large pile of uncollected general waste has remained outside their flats for roughly four to ten weeks, attracting rats, flies, cats, dogs and seagulls and spreading rubbish through nearby streets. Cardiff Council says unsafe conditions, including faeces, open nappies and loose waste blocking access to communal bins, have prevented residual-waste collections. FirstPort blames additional rubbish deposited by non-residents and says it has arranged clearances, pest control and inspections. The council and property managers plan to work with residents on waste presentation and may pursue enforcement if conditions continue.

Cardiff’s planning committee deferred plans to convert the former Roath Park Methodist church into shops, a cafe or bars, and workspaces after councillors raised concerns that a proposed two-storey extension would be overbearing and harm neighbours’ privacy and amenity. Supporters, including the architects’ representative, argued that the scheme would provide essential income to restore the deteriorating listed building and return public access to much of it. Opponents cited blocked heritage windows, loss of privacy, and the impact on the local area; a petition against the extension received 47 signatures.

Cardiff Council has submitted plans to transform Kingsway from a traffic-dominated junction into an almost entirely pedestrianised, tree-lined public square. The proposal includes wider pavements, clearer crossings, cycling infrastructure, greenery, seating, public art, café spaces and areas for events, with vehicle access largely restricted to maintenance and special occasions. The redevelopment aims to address heavy traffic, poor pedestrian facilities, pollution and anti-social behaviour while connecting City Hall, the National Museum, Friary Gardens and Cathays Park.

Vandals damaged several ornamental Japanese cherry trees in Cardiff’s Heath Park, snapping some in half and pulling at least one from the ground. Residents and Heath ward councillor Mike Ash-Edwards condemned the destruction, which police are investigating. Cardiff Council is assessing the damage, considering protective measures and plans to replace the lost trees during the autumn and winter planting season.

Four Cardiff roads—Newport Road, Western Avenue, Ocean Way and part of Hadfield Road—will revert from 20mph to 30mph after the city council’s review of Wales’s default 20mph scheme. Exceptions near St Illtyd’s Catholic School and Ocean Park Sports Complex will remain at 20mph. The changes follow 933 public requests and will be implemented after traffic orders were legally sealed, while most of Cardiff’s 20mph roads will remain unchanged.

Residents living beside the Plasdwr housing development in Cardiff say construction dust has coated their homes, cars and gardens, forcing them to keep windows closed and avoid outdoor spaces during hot weather. Jacob Sparkes and Paula, who has COPD, raised concerns about the potential health effects and the inadequacy of dust control. Barratt Redrow, which is constructing the Pentrebane section, said it had received no direct complaints, was following the approved environmental management plan and had measures including dampening work areas, dust suppression and road sweeping in place. The local authority reportedly found the mitigation measures satisfactory during a site visit.

Fly-tipping and littering remain widespread across Cardiff, with discarded mattresses, broken furniture, food waste and other household rubbish reported in Grangetown and around Allensbank Road. Cardiff Council warned that dumping waste beside public bins is an offence and could result in fixed penalties, court action, fines of up to £50,000 and imprisonment for serious cases. The council said it will monitor problem locations, enforce the rules and may remove bins that are repeatedly abused.

Cardiff Council has approved Wates Residential’s plans, through Cardiff Living, to convert the former Ely housing office on Grand Avenue into an 11-flat supported living complex. The scheme will include accessible apartments, communal gardens and areas, staff sleeping quarters, carer facilities and eight parking spaces, with the design intended to provide safe, sustainable and affordable homes.

Cardiff Council has approved a 35-home development on land south of Willowbrook Drive in Trowbridge. Put forward by Cardiff Living, a partnership between the council and Wates Residential, the scheme will include mainly semi-detached and terraced homes, alongside affordable and open-market housing, communal amenity space and green areas. Planning committee members praised the design, layout and use of the site, which will also include new public routes, lighting and measures intended to improve safety.

Cardiff Council collected £25.83 million in standard council-housing rent between April 6 and July 3, according to a Freedom of Information request filed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It also collected £78,826 from garages and £2.74 million from temporary accommodation. The council attributed monthly fluctuations to rent-free weeks, delayed payment processing, a five-week collection period in June and a rise in occupied homes. Rental income is legally ringfenced for housing services, repairs, investment, tenant engagement and the construction of additional homes.

Plans approved for internal alterations to the former Ely Methodist Church in Cardiff so it can be used by the Romanian Orthodox Parish of All Saints in Caerau. The main change will be a large, ornate hardwood iconostasis separating the sanctuary from the church hall, along with toilet and baby-changing facilities. Historic Buildings and Places welcomed the building’s continued religious use and described the iconostasis as a visually striking addition, but regretted the removal of the Methodist pulpit and advised caution over possible load-bearing issues.

Cardiff Council is consulting on potential walking and cycling routes across the city’s 28 wards, including routes around Roath Park, through Penhill Road and Cathedral Road, and along Whitchurch Road. Councillor Bablin Molik supports safer cycling but says changes must account for parking, public transport and the needs of different road users. Councillor Leonora Thomson also welcomes active travel while cautioning that Penhill Road is already congested. Routes will be prioritised using factors including potential to shift journeys away from private cars, access to key facilities, deprivation, safety and collision data. The consultation closes on 3 August, and the proposals are not yet detailed or final.

Owners of the vacant Red Balloon Nursery in east Llanedeyrn have applied to Cardiff Council to convert the premises into a nine-bedroom HMO. They say declining enrolment and rising operating costs made the nursery financially unsustainable and that the conversion would address demand for affordable shared accommodation. Residents and Pentwyn councillor Dan Naughton oppose the plan, citing the site’s proximity to schools, child safety, the building’s size, parking pressure and bin storage. The applicant says the external appearance will remain largely unchanged and that dedicated communal refuse storage is included.

Plans submitted by Vale of Glamorgan Council would upgrade Crawshay Court, a retirement complex in Llantwit Major with more than 20 flats. Proposed works include roof and wall insulation, new windows, improved airtightness, solar panels, a remodelled lounge, an eight-space visitor car park and dedicated drop-off zones. The scheme also includes aesthetic improvements using brick slip panels, render and dark grey frames, while retaining trees, communal green space and the character of the surrounding area.

Cardiff Council has approved Eren Bilge’s plans to convert Austins Guesthouse on Coldstream Terrace in Riverside into a 10-bedroom HMO. Each bedroom will have an en-suite bathroom, alongside shared dining, lounge, kitchen, laundry and storage facilities. Planning officials found no unacceptable effects on neighbours or local amenity, while a flood assessment identified the riverside site as highly vulnerable but noted that nearby River Taff flood defences had never failed. The conversion will not alter existing off-street parking provision.

Cardiff business owners Keith and Caroline Munro have faced a difficult year involving noise-nuisance prosecutions, financial pressure at Kings Road Yard and Keith’s terminal diagnosis. Keith, 68, has a spinal tumour causing severe pain and spinal cord compression, with doctors estimating he has between six months and three years to live and warning that paralysis could occur. The couple pleaded guilty to five noise-abatement offences and were ordered to pay £7,800 in fines and costs. They say they have installed soundproofing and closed a function room, but continue to struggle financially while managing the business and Keith’s illness.

Cardiff Council has approved plans to introduce a workplace parking levy, estimated at £750 per employer-provided space, potentially raising £10 million annually for public transport projects. The AA and RAC Foundation argue the charge could be passed on to workers, amount to double taxation, reduce city-centre spending and unfairly burden businesses whose premises are poorly served by public transport. Council member Dan De’Ath says congestion, transport pressures and reduced funding make inaction unrealistic, and that the proposal would be subject to extensive consultation before implementation.

Edenstone Homes and housing society Codi Group have agreed to build 184 homes at Porth yr Awen, the latest phase of Cardiff’s Plasdŵr development. The £55 million scheme, bordering Radyr, Danescourt, Fairwater, Pentrebane and St Fagans, will include 127 open-market homes and 57 affordable properties, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses. Sales are expected to begin in early 2027, with residents moving in later that year. The wider Plasdŵr project is planned to deliver 7,000 homes alongside schools, shops, parks, playing fields, allotments and healthcare facilities.

Cardiff Council is reviewing how city services coped with record-breaking June heat, including Wales’s hottest June day on record, when temperatures reached 35.9°C in Bute Park. The review follows questions from Lib Dem councillor Bablin Molik about cooling systems, shade, water stations and adaptations to public buildings. The council identified overheating, flooding and infrastructure disruption as significant risks, and is developing a citywide climate-risk register involving public-sector, academic and utility organizations. It cited measures including emergency support for rough sleepers, monitoring transport and roads, adjusting bin-collection times, adapting care services and issuing safety guidance to schools, but did not provide specific commitments on physical cooling improvements.

Robin Thorsten Ltd has submitted plans to the Vale of Glamorgan Council to redevelop the former Old Post Office in St Brides Major. The proposal includes a three-bedroom house, three flats within the former Post Office, a one-bedroom garden dwelling and a retained commercial unit. Planning documents say the design will use local materials and traditional forms, safeguard neighbours’ privacy and amenities, and replace the existing building, described as an eyesore, with development intended to complement the village and nearby conservation area.

Conservative Cardiff councillor Sean Driscoll has suggested moving the statue of Aneurin “Nye” Bevan from Queen Street to outside Cardiff Central station, partly because seagulls perch on it despite anti-bird spikes. He argues the new location would be a more fitting and visible tribute to the NHS founder. Cardiff council leader Chris Weaver says the statue should remain prominent in the city centre, while Cardiff Council confirms there are no current plans to move it and says any proposal would require assessment of crowd management, costs and logistics.

Plans have been submitted to convert the deteriorating Victorian Broad Island House in Barry into a new daycare centre operated by Salutem Shared Services. The proposal would relocate an existing facility from Sully, offering improved accessibility and proximity to community amenities. The company commits to clearing and refurbishing the building, introducing a range of recreational, educational and therapeutic activities for adults with disabilities. Planning documents outline operating hours, intended activities and the aim to revitalise the historic property as a community asset.

Two groups protested outside Cardiff Council’s meeting at County Hall: the Ysgol De Caerdydd campaign called for a Welsh-medium secondary school in south Cardiff, while around 45 ACORN members opposed a proposed data centre on the former East Cardiff Park and Ride site in Llanrumney. Campaigners said the council had failed to engage adequately with residents. Cardiff Council said it was developing long-term options for Welsh-medium education and that the data-centre application remained subject to the statutory planning process, with no decision yet made. The developer, Curtis Hall Ltd, has disputed concerns about noise and environmental effects, while the council is seeking alternative hospital-staff parking if the development proceeds.

Planning approval was granted for a Barry Waterfront regeneration project including a watersports centre and up to 100 homes, with councillors narrowly voting in favour. Supporters highlighted the need for affordable housing and community facilities, while critics argued the updated plans fall short of earlier regeneration promises and increase housing beyond what was originally proposed. Further detailed applications will follow as only outline permission has been approved.

A temporary rise in demand for Welsh‑medium education will lead Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf in Cardiff to admit up to 300 Year 7 pupils for the 2027–28 school year. Cardiff Council approved the one‑year expansion, supported by assessments confirming the site can manage the additional numbers through internal modifications and improvements to communal areas. Pupil intake is expected to return to lower levels afterward, with applications for the 2027 intake opening in September 2026.

Cardiff Council is seeking expressions of interest to repurpose Roath Park House, a long‑vacant historic building within Roath Park, for community‑focused uses. The Victorian property, once home to the parks superintendent William Wallace Pettigrew and later other parks officials, previously underwent significant renovation and had an approved but abandoned café and cooking school plan. Submissions are open until August 28, after which proposals will be evaluated with public engagement before a final decision is made through council and Charity Commission processes.

Cardiff Council is advancing plans for a workplace parking levy expected to generate around £10m annually for public transport improvements. Councillors raised concerns over the scale of documentation, uncertainty over the levy amount, and questions about its effectiveness in addressing pollution and declining bus use. Officials described the levy as a major funding opportunity and dismissed suggestions it would lead to additional road charges. Key details, including exemptions and business thresholds, remain undecided as the proposal is still in its early stages.

Cardiff councillors are urging the Welsh Government to introduce a blanket ban on pavement parking, arguing it endangers vulnerable residents and restricts access for people with mobility issues, parents and older adults. A survey by Living Streets shows widespread complaints about the issue, while UK authorities in England plan expanded enforcement powers. The Welsh Government says it is exploring ways to strengthen local authority powers, and Cardiff Council highlights a new parking plan with designated zones to improve compliance. Advocacy groups warn many pavements have become inaccessible and urge Wales to act to match measures in Scotland and England.

Vale of Glamorgan Council faced criticism over more than £7m spent on external road repair contracts between 2022 and 2025, with councillors questioning value for money and highlighting inadequate maintenance and cancelled schemes. FOI data showed fluctuating spending and a sharp drop in pothole compensation claims. The council defended its approach, citing investment in repairs, partnerships with contractors, and new technologies such as the JCB Pothole Pro and Elastomac. It noted increasing reports and record repair numbers while acknowledging growing challenges from weather, vehicle use, population density and budget pressures.

Welsh Labour retained its seat in the Splott ward of Cardiff after James Caruana won a council by‑election with 40% of the vote, triggered by former council leader Huw Thomas leaving for the Senedd. Green Party candidate Simran Patel came a close second, with Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and the Welsh Conservatives trailing. Caruana emphasised his community ties and pledged to pursue regeneration projects, improved safety and a new station for Tremorfa as he joins existing ward councillors Anny Anderson and Ed Stubbs.

Plans have been submitted to add outdoor ice baths, a sauna, a hot tub and changing rooms to Holm House in Penarth, now operating as a luxury retreat with the Silures restaurant. The proposal, to be run by Hedd Spa, outlines strict quiet-use rules and limited access. The development aims to enhance the site’s hospitality offering and would be located in the rear courtyard. The reopening of Holm House previously drew complaints after a premature celebration of an alcohol licence approval led to concerns from nearby residents about noise and anti-social behaviour. A planning decision is expected by late August 2026.

A Cardiff convenience store and its director were fined after repeated sales of illegal vapes with oversized tanks and counterfeit or incorrectly labelled tobacco products. The company received more than £20,000 in penalties, while the director was given a community order and additional fines. All seized goods will be destroyed, and the shop had previously been subjected to a closure order due to the seriousness of the offences. Cardiff Council highlighted health risks, economic harm and the impact on legitimate businesses, supporting strong enforcement by Trading Standards.

Two owners of Kings Road Yard in Pontcanna were fined a total of £7,800 after repeatedly breaching noise abatement notices. Shared Regulatory Services prosecuted the couple following complaints from nearby residents, with evidence showing significant impact on locals’ quality of life. Both defendants pleaded guilty at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court. Cardiff Council stated it works with businesses to resolve issues but will take enforcement action when legal notices are ignored.