Plans to move a supermarket into a new Cardiff development spark local concerns about independent businesses and community impact
Cardiff: There’s a bit of a stir going on in Cardiff over some new flats being built. The developers want to change the rules about a big commercial space in the project. They’re looking to replace some old buildings on Cowbridge Road East with 81 new apartments and some shops on the ground floor.
Now, here’s the catch. Local councillors were worried that a big supermarket might move in, which could hurt the small, family-run shops nearby. They had pushed for a rule that would split the big retail space into smaller units to protect those local businesses.
But the developers, Wales & West Housing, have now asked to scrap that rule. They’ve got a deal lined up with a national supermarket chain, and they want to make sure they can fill that space. A report they commissioned says that getting rid of the size limit is fine for the local economy.
Still, the councillors aren’t happy. They argue that the area has some long-standing independent shops that are vital for the community. They believe another supermarket would just take away from those local gems and urged for a proper assessment of how this could affect the local community.
Jon Harvey, who’s in charge of development at Wales & West Housing, insists that this project is crucial for building affordable homes in Cardiff. He argues that having a single retailer in that space will make the area more lively and help tackle the housing crisis in the city.
