Cardiff Council is in discussions with the 海角视频 Government over acquiring the Companies House site. While at an early stage, if a deal for the 210,000 sq ft building and its surrounding grounds at Crown Way in the Gabalfa area of the city is agreed, it could be demolished to make way for a new Cathays High School.
While the council would need to secure the necessary capital budget, the adjoining existing Cathays High School building could also be demolished to provide playing fields for a new school project.
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Acquiring the site would give the council an alternative option to locating a new school at the nearby Maindy velodrome site - to which there is some local opposition. Cardiff Council is the sole trustee of Maindy Park Trust, the charity that owns Maindy Park. Last year the council’s cabinet agreed, subject to Charity Commission approval, that Maindy Park is exchanged for land at Cadelyn Park in Rhiwbina, so creating a new school location option.
Speaking recently Cardiff Council cabinet member for transport and strategic planning and trustee of Maindy Park Trust, councillor Dan De’ Ath, confirmed an alternative option for a new school at Maindy Park was through a potential acquisition of Companies House. He added: “The council is also engaged with the Government Property Unit regarding the future of Companies House. Given the importance of delivering a new school for Cathays High, the council is pursuing both strategies in tandem as there is no guarantee of acquiring the Companies House site.”
A 海角视频 Government spokesman said: “We are committed to having an efficient and cost-effective public estate. Any announcements regarding the Crown Way site would be made in the usual way.”
As part of any deal process Cardiff Council and the Government Property Unit would commission their own independent market valuations for the site, which would then form the basis of negotiations on the final price. However, whatever the amount agreed it would run into millions of pounds.
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The five storey building is home to around 1,000 Companies House staff, who work on a hybrid basis. It is also occupied by a number of other 海角视频 Government departments and organisations. The Government Property Agency is in regular contact with all the building’s tenants.
If a deal is struck with Cardiff Council, Companies House would need to find a smaller new office location. While no decision has been taken, sites across the wider Cardiff Capital Region would appraised, which could see a new home outside of the capital.