A new city square at St David’s Cardiff is one step closer, as owner Landsec has submitted its planning application to Cardiff City Council.
Following extensive engagement with more than 5,000 people across the local community, the proposed 9,480 sqm city square – the equivalent of almost one and a half rugby pitches – will inject new life into the area with a £17million investment from Landsec.
Located on the site of the former Debenhams store, where demolition is underway, the plans will create an open, safe space for families and a vibrant, cultural place for residents and visitors to St David’s and the city.
Plans for the pedestrianised city square include new play places for families with a water fountain splash pad, supporting Cardiff’s credentials as the UK’s first UNICEF Child Friendly City. To bring new experiences to this part of the city, the square has an open space with a stage for locals and tourists to enjoy performances open to the community. The space could potentially host markets, local street food vendors and other events.
With recent research by Landsec revealing that 75% of people in Cardiff think access to nature and green space should be a priority to developers, Landsec has made this central to the plans. The square will be landscaped with new trees and a diverse mix of native planting, boosting biodiversity and people’s access to quality nature in the city centre.
The square will feature new cycle parking spaces to meet the growing demand for sustainable travel. Two new restaurants with terraces and several smaller kiosk-style units will open out onto the square, creating new local jobs and opportunities for brands to attract more people to this part of St David’s.
Helen Morgan, Centre Director of St David’s Cardiff, commented: “This investment means we can unlock the potential of this currently under-used area and bring life and value back to this part of Cardiff once again. With new experiences for people and more opportunities for brands, the square will enable St David’s to contribute even more to Cardiff’s thriving city centre and growing economy.”
To mark the submission, Landsec has published several new CGIs illustrating what the final city square could look like. The planning decision is expected to be made by the end of the year, and Landsec is aiming to open the square to the public in Summer 2026.
