Plans to demolish the buildings on Guildford Crescent in Cardiff where Gwdihw and Thai House used to be have been withdrawn.

Campaigners have reacted with joy at the news that the application has been withdrawn by the landowner Rapports.

It's understood the demolition plans have been withdrawn pending the outcome of discussions between the Rapport family and Cardiff council over a new masterplan for the area.

The new masterplan is aimed at regenerating a part of the city from Churchill Way down to Bute Terrace and across to the Admiral building.

Cardiff council confirmed that if the landowner wants to demolish the buildings in the future they will have to file a new application.

Protesters march to stop the closure of Guildford Crescent and Gwidhw

Following a high-profile campaign by the Save Gwdihw and Guildford Crescent group, which saw more than 20,000 people sign a petition and thousands take to the streets of Cardiff as part of a protest march, a plan by landlords the Rapport family to demolish numbers 1 to 6 Guildford Crescent were put on hold to discuss a masterplan that the council is developing for the area.

The plan has now subsequently been withdrawn.

The news was met with joy from the Save Guildford Crescent Campaign group.

The head of campaign Daniel Minty said: “We are overjoyed at the news of the landlord's intention to withdraw the demolition application on Guildford Crescent. 

"That is something that we strived for as a campaign  to get them to recognise the cultural significance of that area, and by doing so, doing the right thing and withdrawing the application.

"This little victory is owed to the 2,000 people who marched, the 20,000 people who signed the petition and the many people who directly opposed the demolition application."

Protesters march through Cardiff against the demolition of Guildford Crescent

While that was positive news for campaigners, they have also received a blow today with the news that Cadw has announced it will not be listing the buildings on Guildford Crescent.

Cadw, which works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage sites of Wales, had been undertaking assessments since January to see if the buildings should be listed.

The Masonic Lodge, which stands next to the former Madeira and Thai House restaurants, and Gwdihw music venue on Guildford Crescent, was listed in 1975.

If the remaining buildings on the Crescent had been listed it would have provided additional protection against the buildings being demolished.

A Cadw spokesperson said: “We acknowledge that Guildford Crescent is a local landmark, with some historic and architectural interest. However, it is not a well preserved or good example of late C19 housing and has suffered from alterations and loss of original fabric.

“The criteria for listing buildings of this type are strict and only allow the best examples to be listed. Given the overall lack of character and degree of alteration it does not meet the criteria for listing.”

Daniel Minty, the head of the Save Guildford Crescent campaign group hit out at Cadw.

He said: "The lack of communication from Cadw to us, as a campaign has been nothing short of abysmal. After weeks of chasing with silence as our reply. We were finally informed upon their decision on Wednesday afternoon, whilst being pressed by our supporters and the press.

"We are disappointed by Cadw's decision which fails to appreciate Guildford Crescent's value within the context of the surrounding townscape.

"Where else in Cardiff does a crescent exist because it followed the path of one of  the original and natural canals that ran through our city ?

"We believe the opportunities are endless for Guildford Crescent, to take things to the next level in Cardiff. Perhaps in the future, the canal that still runs under the road could be brought back, making this area even more of an attraction for diners and tourists.

"Guildford Crescent remains by far the most beautiful and strong standing set of buildings in this area of our city.

"Cardiff is not about high rise buildings. We do not want to be a carbon copy of A.N.Other city in the UK. We are currently unique. We want to remain unique."

The Madeira and Thai House restaurants on Guildford Crescent
Thai House, Cardiff

He said the Save Guildford Crescent Group will be appealing Cadw's decision.

"Once Cadw has informed us of the procedure, we will be appealing the procedure.

"We will be putting pressure on Cardiff council to make good their Conservation Consultation paper and to protect this area under Conservation Status.

"Cardiff Council has the power to do this."

A separate protest group calling themselves the Guildford Peasants, who have occupied buildings on Guildford Crescent in the last week, were today due to vacate the buildings after being served with an eviction notice which was heard in Cardiff county court yesterday.

The Guildford Peasants in the Thai House restaurant

In a statement on their Twitter account they said: “We hope we that more people consider direct action tactics alongside their political campaigns in the future, and through our little action over the last two weeks we hope we have inspired people that we all have real, tangible power. Cardiff belongs to us, take it.”

The Guildford Peasants feared demolition work was to begin imminently after seeing legal documents filed on behalf of landlord Rapports.

In point 7 of a legal document filed in the Cardiff county court dated March 2019 and titled “Witness statement of Matthew Adam Rapport”, a representative of the landlord states: “At the back, it concerns me to note that there are various sleeping bags and coats. I confirm that the Claimant intends to demolish the steel and wooden structures at the rear of the Property next week.”

However, Cardiff Council said this was in relation to temporary structures at the rear of the buildings, with no part of the buildings themselves being affected by this.

Everything must go - the dismantling orf Gwdihw begins
The stage is dismantled

A spokesperson for the council said: “The landowner is proposing to demolish unauthorised stand-alone temporary structures which seem to have been erected by the previous tenants to provide smoking shelters which are currently attracting anti-social behaviour.”

"The council continues to work with landowners across the city centre area with a view of developing a masterplan for the entire area for consideration by councillors.

The council said that talks between themselves and the landlord “continue to be extremely positive.”

A spokesperson added: “Good progress is being made and we are confident that the council will be in a position to consider proposals in the next couple of months.”