Cardiff University has faced heavy criticism over the proposed location of their new Student Centre.

The building, designed by Field Clegg Bradley Studios, is set to be built on Park Place and the university say the investment is vital to keeping its status as a top university.

The proposal has faced widespread disapproval, however, due to the design of the building and the threat to historic sites.

The construction of the concrete and glass building, measuring 28m high and 140m long, would mean demolishing a Victorian building and a red-bricked Edwardian building, currently housing a Costa and a Subway.

Numerous City Councillors feel that Cardiff would be losing part of its heritage, and that the “unnecessarily intrusive” new Centre for Student Life would alter the street scene for the worse.

On the other hand, many have praised the project as a means of setting standards of design at the heart of the capital city, and enabling the university to transform the ways in which students can access services.

The application is due to be discussed later this week, and planning officers have recommended that planning permission be granted.

Jonathan Chard

(Image: Wales Online)