Planning approval of business park rail station at St Mellons to be reviewed

Plans for a £120m South Wales mainline rail station at St Mellons on the outskirts of Cardiff, integrated into a major business park, have been called in by the Welsh Government.

The Cardiff Parkway station development and associated Hendre Lakes business park secured planning consent from Cardiff Council in April. Leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, said his authority would work tirelessly to ensure the project is delivered as a key new public transport hub - with the aim of serving 800,000 rail passengers a year - and employment location for the wider Cardiff Capital City Region.

The Welsh Government has invested £10m in return for a minority equity stake in the company behind it, Cardiff Parkway Developments Ltd. But this has been put on hold pending the outcome of the review. The Welsh Government will appoint an inspector to assess the project, who will then make a recommendation to Welsh Government ministers who will decide if the project should go ahead.

The aim was for the four platform station to become operational next, with the Hendre Lakes business park developing up to 900,000 sq ft of new office, retail and leisure space.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “A planning application for the construction of a business park and transport hub at land south of St Mellons Business Park has been called in for determination.

“Welsh Ministers cannot comment further on this as to do so may prejudice any future decisions in relation to the proposal.”