Controversial plans to nearly double the size of a car park in Cardiff Bay have been approved.
The Mermaid Quay car park, on Stuart Street is set to have an extra two storeys built on top of it, as well an extension to the rear, after a planning permission was granted by Cardiff Council.
The extensions mean that the number of spaces in the car park will increase from 372 to 682, with the 310 new spaces including 20 electric charging points.
Read more: First look at new park planned for Cardiff's £2bn 'garden city'
New spaces will also be provided to safely lock 52 bicycles, while the car park's height is to increase from 6.5 metres and two storeys to 10.5 metres and four storeys.
Local residents had opposed the plans, arguing that the extended car park would lead to more traffic, congestion and increased noise and air pollution in the area.
There were also concerns that it would overshadow nearby homes and affect the health and safety of pupils at Mount Stuart Primary school, with over 200 people signed a petition objecting to the proposals in June 2020.
Butetown councillor Saeed Ebrahim wrote to the council on behalf of people living in his ward, telling them: “I have concerns about the size of the extension and the impact this will have on the immediate local area, in particular air quality and noise potential.
“The proposed extension would have a detrimental impact on the homes in the surrounding area, overlooking neighbouring properties and causing a loss of privacy and considerable overshadowing.”
However, businesses in the Bay, such as Techniquest, Wagamama and Fabulous Welshcakes, supported the plans to extend the car park - with a spokesman for Techniquest telling council planners that the extension would not only double the number of spaces available but also enhance the appearance of the car park.
Commenting on the plans, a spokesperson for Mermaid Quay said: “More parking is vital for Cardiff Bay and we believe that extending our existing car park is more sustainable than developing another to meet the existing demand from visitors.
"The car park will also provide extra capacity to support the Council’s ambitious plans for further leisure facilities across the bay area, including the new Indoor Arena."
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