WORKERS have removed signage from the old Monty Smith Garage at 56 Windsor Road, symbolising the beginning of the end for the long-disused building.

The once-garage is soon to be demolished and replaced by a four-storey block of flats.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council in June accepted a two-year-old planning application that will see 21 residential units (including nine affordable homes) built just up the road from The Windsor pub.

Undercroft parking will be available to residents.

The development company responsible, X-Stream Properties, is owned by former All Black and Cardiff Blues captain Xavier Rush.

He made 130 appearances for the Blues before establishing X-Stream Properties in 2016 having retired from professional rugby in 2012.

They will be obliged to pay £407,809 to fund local sustainable transport, schooling, open space and affordable housing projects.

X-Stream Properties will also have to pay 1% of total build to the Vale of Glamorgan Council to fund public art projects.

In the developer's own design application, they listed the following drawbacks:

- Overlooking neighbours

- Highway limitations

- Maintain public access on three sides of site

When demolition will properly begin is currently unknown, but the developers are required to begin construction within two years of the planning application being accepted.