One of Cardiff's biggest developers has been given permission to build a controversial block of flats up to six storeys high in Grangetown - despite paying nothing towards affordable housing in the area.
Rightacres has won the right to build 74 apartments at the former Track 2000 site on Penarth Road despite opposition from neighbours over the height and scale of the building.
The developer, which is behind major projects in Cardiff, such as the redevelopment of Brains Brewery and the new bus station, will pay £30,000 towards a new Nextbike station and a traffic regulation order relating to the development.
Cardiff council had originally asked for £1,361,363 from the developer - £1,157,912 would have gone towards affordable housing while the rest would have gone towards public open space, community facilities and jobs in Grangetown, as well as traffic regulations.
But an independent review carried out by The District Valuer said the development "would be rendered unviable" if any contributions were sought by Rightacres.
Cardiff council's planning committee approved the development on June 19 by four votes to two.
That was despite protests from more than 140 people against the new block of flats, who raised concerns that the building will be overbearing, would deprive neighbouring properties of light and privacy and overwhelm the area with traffic.
Pentre Gardens resident Simon Newman, who objected to the plans, told the committee: "Residents feel the scale, height and massing on the scheme is oppressive, overbearing and out of character."
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, a "gutted" Mr Newman said many Pentre Gardens residents will consider moving away before the development is built.
He said: "There's a community around that park and around that street. This is going to have a negative impact on that. I think people will sell up."
The council's officers had recommended the development, which will be named Bottle Works Wharf, for approval.
Councillors Ashley Lister and Lynda Thorne objected to the development.
Cllr Lister said: "It would cause harm to neighbouring properties by overlooking and overshadowing them. The design is not in keeping with neighbouring properties."
Cllr Thorne added it could have a detrimental effect on the community.
Rightacres has previously said Bottle Works Wharf would be a "significant investment" in Grangetown and would help people live in the city centre, reducing the number of cars travelling into Cardiff.
Planning consultant John Cottrell, for Rightacres, said: "The current scale is 40% smaller than the original scheme. You could argue the original scheme was too big. It probably was.
"It's in a very sustainable location. It's one of the most sustainable locations in the city. "This is a scheme with contemporary design. It's well considered. "You can argue a prominent building is appropriate or indeed needed in the area."
Rightacres commissioned a review which said Bottle Works Wharf would not significantly impact the light on neighbouring properties.
But a follow-up report commissioned by residents, paid for by Rightacres, said the development would lead to a "significant" loss of sunlight for some homes.
The council's planning department says the development would result in overshadowing for neighbouring properties early in the mornings but there would be no loss of sunlight for the Pentre Gardens residents from late mornings onwards.
Planning officers also said Bottle Works Wharf "does not cause significant harm to the levels of privacy enjoyed by neighbouring occupiers".
Planning officer Lawrence Dowdall told the committee the impact on sunlight on neighbouring properties is "not sufficient to merit grounds for refusal".
Rightacres had originally proposed a development of 86 flats across a building of up to seven storeys but this was scaled down.
It is planning to provide 57 parking spaces for Bottle Works Wharf - but neighbours say the development could bring as many as 148 more vehicles to the area.
Councillors on the committee expressed concerns about the Bottle Works Wharf development before it was eventually voted through.
Councillor Sean Driscoll put forward a motion to reject the "incongruous, overbearing" scheme, seconded by Councillor Frank Jacobsen, which was voted down by four votes to two.
Cllr Driscoll said: "If it was the other side of the river on the Brains Brewery site I would find it more acceptable.
"The loss of sunlight to these properties is a lot to bear."
Councillor Asghar Ali spoke in favour of the development and said: "It will affect a few people but it will accommodate more than that."
Councillor Mike Jones-Pritchard supported the application and said there's nothing in legislation to warrant an objection.
Following the meeting Mr Cottrell said: "It was a thorough debate by committee and a significant amount of thought has gone into it by the planning officers.
"It's a balanced judgement and we're pleased the committee supported the recommendation."
