**Demolition Begins on Landmark Cardiff Office Block as Student Housing Plan Moves Forward**
The demolition of Longcross Court, a well-known former office building in Cardiff city centre, is progressing as part of a substantial redevelopment scheme. The site, situated prominently at the intersection of City Road and Newport Road, will soon be home to an 18-storey student accommodation complex following its clearance.
Cardiff Council’s planning committee granted approval for this transformation in September 2024, marking a significant change for the landscape at the edge of the city centre. Originally constructed in the 1970s, Longcross Court has served a variety of uses over its lifespan. As well as its primary role as offices, it once housed local businesses such as Channings and Adventure Rooms, contributing to the building’s mixed legacy.
The plans for the redevelopment are ambitious. Once completed, the new high-rise will contain 706 individual student rooms, complete with a café and 480 square metres of dedicated office space. Supporters of the project point to the increasing demand for student housing in Cardiff, a city with a vibrant student population and a growing reputation as a university destination.
As tends to be the case with major urban development, the proposal was not without contention when it was debated by Cardiff Council’s planning committee. Some members voiced relief at the imminent disappearance of the ageing red-brick structure, which they viewed as aesthetically out-of-step with the city’s ongoing regeneration. However, there were also concerns raised about the impact of the new development on the surrounding area.
Councillor Jon Shimmin, a member of the committee, expressed misgivings about the building’s design. He felt that the planned high-rise would not enhance the area and offered little to Cardiff’s evolving skyline. Cllr Shimmin also highlighted issues with the quality of accommodation, pointing out that more than a quarter of the planned rooms would fail to achieve adequate natural light, a factor he described as “unacceptable” in a modern student residence.
By contrast, other councillors regarded the redevelopment as a positive step, with Cllr Sean Driscoll describing Longcross Court as an “eyesore” and even likening it to a blot on the local landscape. He championed the prospect of replacing what he termed an “abysmal” building with a sleek new structure, more in keeping with Cardiff’s changing urban identity.
Beyond the debate over its visual appeal, practical concerns were raised during the planning process. These included issues such as student move-in traffic congestion, the net loss of city centre office space, and potential impacts on the quality of life for future residents. Planning officers at Cardiff Council acknowledged the mixed light provision in some of the rooms but argued that any negative impacts had to be assessed in balance with the project’s wider benefits to the city.
To mitigate some of the concerns, measures will be put in place regarding future use of the site. Communal facilities such as a cinema, gym, and rooftop garden are planned, aiming to enhance the residential experience. Importantly, the council has stipulated that these new residences are to be used exclusively for students, with a traffic management plan required from the developers before the building is occupied.
In documentation supporting the application, the developers argue that the new complex will revitalise an important and sustainable location within Cardiff. They state the project will “regenerate a prominent site” and “animate” the adjoining streets, including Newport Road, City Road and Oxford Lane, by creating vibrant communal spaces and improving the public realm.
With demolition work well underway, Longcross Court’s transformation stands as a symbol of Cardiff’s broader changes – balancing heritage, urban renewal, and the ever-growing needs of its student community. As work progresses, all eyes will be on how the new addition shapes the city’s future, both visually and socially.