Cardiff: Approval has been granted for the construction of the tallest building in Wales

Cardiff has given the green light to plans for the tallest building in Wales, a towering 35-storey structure in the heart of the city. The impressive tower on Wood Street will soar to a height of 113m (371ft), surpassing Swansea's 107m (351ft) Tower building. The ground floor of the building will be designated as commercial space, potentially accommodating a café or restaurant.

The majority of Cardiff councillors support the plan, believing it will enhance Central Square, an area that includes prominent structures such as BBC Wales' headquarters and HMRC's offices. While Councillor Garry Hunt expressed approval of the overall concept, he did raise concerns about the building's design, describing it as a basic block and suggesting more thought should be given to its aesthetic appeal. Councillor Emma Reid-Jones also questioned the suitability of the tower as a residential space.

However, planning officers defended the design, with Simon Gilbert, the council's head of planning, praising its graceful and striking features, considering it an improvement over many of the existing tall buildings in the city.

The increase in height from the developers' initial proposal of 30 storeys to 35 storeys, as well as an augmentation in the number of flats from 330 to 364, have been noted. Additionally, the Wood Street tower has been slightly relocated northward by half a meter.

The plan also includes provisions for 484 bicycle parking spaces. It is worth mentioning that although Cardiff council had previously approved a 42-storey, 132m (433ft) student tower on Customhouse Street in 2016, the construction has not yet commenced.