Residents of Cardiff’s Tyndall Street are on edge after a former Ibis hotel was transformed into a homeless shelter. Concerns are rising as locals report increased anti-social behaviour, including cat-calling and late-night chases. Nigel Evans, whose daughter had a traumatic encounter, called the council’s move “utter madness.” He recalls his daughter being harassed by a group from the shelter, forcing her to run back home in fear. Shops in the vicinity are also facing troubles, with ramped-up shoplifting incidents causing anxiety among staff and customers.
Cardiff Council, facing an unprecedented demand for homelessness services, converted the old hotel building by securing emergency planning permissions. They’ve applied to formalise the change, which is currently under consultation. The council insists that their goal is to support those in need, with staff and security on-site 24/7, and they are actively addressing the reports of disruptive behaviours.
The council is coordinating with community safety partners to mitigate any negative impacts, deploying additional security measures like onsite presence and CCTV enhancements. They acknowledge the community’s concerns and are keen to find a balance that supports both vulnerable individuals and the neighbourhood.
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