Your questions answered
We’ve put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information about the Atlantic Wharf Butetown masterplan.
GENERAL
Cardiff Council is leading the regeneration masterplan for Atlantic Wharf Butetown a 30-acre redevelopment which will help transform Cardiff Bay into a top-tier visitor attraction for the people of Wales and around the UK.
In partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Robertson Group, the council are developing plans for a 15,000-capacity entertainment arena which, if approved, will be delivered in the first phase of development.
The regeneration of Cardiff Bay three decades ago helped establish Cardiff as a dynamic European capital, and this exciting vision is the next stage of redevelopment. The Atlantic Wharf site will provide a strong physical connection back to the Oval Basin and the Cardiff Bay Waterfront. The project will create a vibrant place that is welcoming and attractive to visitors and residents, create thousands of new jobs and provide 1,100 new homes.
Public consultations begin in spring 2021 with a view to submitting planning applications for the masterplan in autumn 2021. We anticipate a determination in 2022. If planning is successful, the first phase of development, which includes the arena, will begin in 2022.
The new indoor arena will act as the anchor development, providing a catalyst for investment.
The Atlantic Wharf Butetown redevelopment will widen Cardiff’s tourism offer and provide plenty of reasons for local communities to visit and enjoy the area. We are creating new places to eat, shop and find entertainment, and fantastic outdoor spaces will allow people to simply come along, have a wander and relax: the public square includes seating, free children’s activity areas and events space; and pedestrian walkways and cycle paths offer smooth, accessible pathways to encourage more active travel choices.
The masterplan includes projects that will attract businesses and deliver thousands of direct and indirect jobs during and after construction. And throughout the redevelopment we are committed to providing training and employability opportunities for local communities.
Once venues are in operation, the many visitors and people working in the area will boost local spend and help create a sustainable economy that works for local people.
The masterplan would be delivered in four phases. If plans are approved for the arena, construction will start in 2022.
While Covid-19 restrictions are in place, opportunities for public-facing events are limited. In the meantime we have planned a series of webinars so residents and surrounding communities can ask and have their questions answered.
You can also complete our questionnaire – for residents, visitors and businesses – to help us shape the development.
As restrictions ease we will go ahead with plans for consultation drop-in events, workshops and exhibitions.
You’ll find all the latest developments on this website, and an option to sign up for our e-newsletter. Residents can also contact us by email: info@atlanticwharfcardiff.co.uk
THE VENUE
Live Nation will deliver the project in a consortium with Oak View Group and Robertson Group as developers. The target is to open the arena spring 2025.
The proposed arena will have capacity for up to 15,000 people.
While first and foremost, our focus is live entertainment, the arena will also be a multi-purpose and versatile venue that caters for a wide variety of events such as family shows, comedy and sports, conferences and community meetings.
Both full-time and part-time roles and opportunities will be available and details of all vacancies and how to apply will be publicised on the official arena and Atlantic Wharf websites.
With a wide variety of shows and events, the arena will operate on various days and times such as matinee and evening performances, including public holidays and weekends. Event management procedures will be in place, with communication to all key stakeholders and local communities.
TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL
Parking will be limited to current levels. The masterplan includes a new multi-storey car park which would replace the current dispersed car parking. We also plan to extend the metro line across Cardiff Bay to St Mellons which will provide park and ride facilities for visitors choosing to drive to Cardiff.
We will encourage visitors to Atlantic Wharf Butetown to use public transport as much as possible. The new masterplan will tie in with planned improvements to the railway network as part of the Welsh Government-led METRO project. Plans include extending the metro line across Cardiff Bay to a station at St Mellons with park and ride facilities, and improving cycling and walking routes on Lloyd George Avenue and across the Bay.
The masterplan will tie in with planned improvements to the railway network as part of the Welsh Government-led METRO project. Plans include extending the metro line across Cardiff Bay to a station at St Mellons with park and ride facilities, and improving cycling and walking routes on Lloyd George Avenue and across the Bay.
We are proposing that a new transport hub and interchange is built on the Pierhead Street site to accommodate any new tram-train and bus services. The proposal also includes a new pedestrian bridge across the A4232 to provide a link between the new event space and the transport hub.
Proposals could see Lloyd George Avenue redesigned with one lane of traffic in either direction. As part of the Welsh Government led METRO project, a new landscaped walkway connecting the city centre with the Bay could be created, with opportunities for limited development at key intersections along the route. The Flourish will also be redesigned to reduce traffic flow in the area, improving the facilities to walk between the inner harbour and Atlantic Wharf.
There will be a strong focus on promoting public transport to get to and from Atlantic Wharf, and the proposed new transport nodes will be only a few minutes’ walk from the area.
We will continually encourage public transport as a safe and efficient way to reach the arena. The multi-storey car park will provide spaces for visitors choosing to drive to the venue, in addition to the park and ride facilities at the proposed St Mellons metro station.
The new multi-storey car park will be in operation before the arena opens.
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The arena will be designed with world-class acoustics to absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. There will be an events management plan in place before and after every event to control crowds and help people get to local transport efficiently and safely, so there is minimal disruption for local residents.
The Atlantic Wharf masterplan aims to deliver a net carbon zero development across the whole of the site based on delivering energy-efficient buildings with supply of energy from renewable sources.
Developers for the arena are committed to delivering a resource-efficient building. The proposed arena is environmentally responsive in design and will maximise use of solar energy among other sustainability measures to minimise energy consumption and overall carbon emissions.
JOBS AND COMMUNITY
Overall the Atlantic Wharf Masterplan is expected to create thousands of jobs. The arena will create around 500 jobs during construction and another 500 once it’s in operation between full-time and part-time posts.
Cardiff Council, developer and operator are working in partnership with Into Work to ensure job opportunities for local people. The arena will provide significant opportunities to support local community initiatives. Over the next year we will work with community groups to establish how best to support local community groups and projects.
The arena will create full-time and part-time jobs to help run the venue on a day-to-day basis and during events. Roles will include: management, duty managers, admin and legal support, technical staff – e.g. riggers, box office managers and ticketing staff, medical and fire safety staff, parking coordinators (trucks, buses, etc.), food and beverage operators and staff, stewards and security staff.
During construction, roles will include: quantity surveyors, project and site managers, document controllers, site administrators, site operatives, bricklayers, joiners, electricians, floorers, painters and decorators, piling operatives, plumbers, scaffolders and banksmen.
We’ll offer apprenticeships and work placements during both construction and operation, and work with schools and further and higher education organisations to offer opportunities.
We want as many of our local businesses as possible to take advantage of supply chain opportunities. As the planning application progresses we will proactively engage with local businesses and publish more information on how to access employment and supply chain opportunities. Please sign up for the e-newsletter and complete our questionnaire.
RESIDENTS
Throughout the consultation process we will keep neighbouring and local residents informed of developments by post or email – letter, leaflet or newsletter, along with updates on this website.
We also hope to hold public consultations over the summer, if Covid-19 restrictions allow.
To join our mailing list for development updates, sign up now.
We are committed to ensuring the proposed masterplan is informed by and responsive to local community input. We have planned a series of online webinars so neighbouring and local residents can ask and have their questions answered.
As restrictions ease we can go ahead with plans for consultation drop-in events, workshops and exhibitions.
We believe that the plans to redevelop Atlantic Wharf Butetown and create a new public realm will attract new visitors to the area and revitalise local spend.
NEW HOMES
Housing will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments for sale and rent.
Yes, for locals and those wanting to move into the area.
We have yet to finalise exact timescales but it’s likely that housing will be under construction in the next five years.
NEW RETAIL
Currently the Council are considering the future of the Red Dragon Centre, whether to refurbish or provide within a new facility as part of a wider regeneration. A report is due to Cabinet in the autumn.
We anticipate these will mostly be leisure, food and beverage outlets.
Yes, we’ve incorporated museum space in the masterplan, fronting Lloyd George Avenue and the Flourish.
This will be a versatile space for rehearsals, practice and training as well as small performances to support the larger venues.
NEW HOTEL
With an expected increase in visitors to the area, the new hotel will help meet demand for nearby accommodation.
We expect the first hotel to be completed by 2025 and other hotels will follow based on market demand.
The proposal is to build a new hotel to the north of the arena. The existing hotel will then be demolished to make way for a public square.