Rail infrastructure company Network Rail has launched the master planning process surrounding Cardiff Central Station in Wales, UK.
This planning process will encompass the design and redevelopment of more than ten acres of railway property, as well as the construction of new housing units.
For this scheme, Network Rail has teamed up with Cardiff Council, Transport for Wales, and Rightacres.
The plan will see the site being regenerated, boosting connectivity and the delivery of homes within a new mixed-use neighbourhood.
The land has been a hindrance to investment in other parts of the city for several years. It will now become one of the last parcels of land to be regenerated in Cardiff's city centre.
The regeneration of this land and its integration into the wider Cardiff Central Quay area is expected to unlock future development opportunities to the south of the city and Cardiff Bay.
Besides making the most of the riverside location, the plan envisages improving the area for pedestrians and enhancing transport connectivity.
Network Rail has hired Cardiff-based developer Rightacres to deliver a new 695-space car park area located on the adjacent Central Quay development, which will become part of the overarching master plan vision.
Network Rail has chosen a master planning team led by Hawkins Brown.
The coming months will see a period of stakeholder and community consultation, followed by an initial design phase. An outline planning application is expected to be submitted next year.
Network Rail property director Robin Dobson said: “Unlocking our strategic land holdings in Cardiff has been a long time in the making and by working with our partners at Transport for Wales, Welsh Government and the City Region we are now in position to regenerate this important brownfield site, with much-needed housing, a wide mix of uses and public space.
“The introduction of Hawkins Brown and the wider team means we are perfectly placed to deliver a vision for a world-class welcome to Wales’ capital and new neighbourhoods, enabled by integrated transport infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, major improvements to the station are taking place. Cardiff Central Station draws 13 million passengers annually and serves as an essential gateway to the city centre.
