A former social club in Cardiff remains boarded up years after plans were approved to transform it into a community centre. Cardiff Council approved a change of use application for Grangetown Conservative Club on Corporation Road in August 2020.
Despite the promise of a new lease of life, no work seems to have been done to it. Plans for the social club also included a two-storey side and rear extension and a single-storey rear extension.
One objection was submitted to the council in relation to the scheme. For more Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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A resident of Corporation Road wrote to Cardiff Council in 2020 to say parking on the street “is horrendous”. The resident said: “There is a mosque nearby as well as a Catholic church which will all add up to an increased number of parking requirements.
“There is insufficient parking spaces available for this change of use.” A condition was attached to the planning permission stating construction must start within the five years of planning permission being granted.
The former Grangetown Conservatives Club has been lying empty for years -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
Metal shutters are now covering the windows -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
Developers can apply to vary this condition, which would give them more time to carry out their proposal. However, no such application has been registered on Cardiff Council’s online planning page.
Grangetown Conservative Club is one of a number of social clubs across Cardiff which have closed down over the years. Grangetown Catholic Club, which is just down the road from Grangetown Conservative Club, closed in November 2022.
Plans were approved in 2020 to turn the building into a community centre -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
Founded in 1898, the club called Corporation Road its home for more than 100 years after moving there in 1914. The New Fleurs Sports and Social Club in Splott closed for good in July last year, despite efforts over the years to bring in a new management team.
Cardiff Community Housing Association acquired the site to build social housing there and plans to demolish the former social club were approved by the council last year. According to the Campaign for Real Ale’s website, The Lyndon Social Club on Clare Road became “closed long-term” in 2022.