Controversial plans to build 400 flats on parkland have been given the go ahead in Cardiff.
The student accommodation will be built in Howard Gardens in Adamsdown, which has angered residents.
Labour councillor for the area Owen Llewellyn Jones complained open space was making way for flats.
But Cardiff Council said it granted planning permission on the condition developers Crosslane put £200,00 towards building a new park.
The new building will be 11-storeys high and include a restaurant.
Mr Llewellyn Jones said he was “gutted” at the decision.
“This is one of the very few open spaces left in Adamsdown and we’re losing it,” he said.
“It will be a permanent loss. They’re never going to knock down that building and say you can have your park back.”
Community group Together for Adamsdown tweeted: “We need more green spaces not more student flats.”
A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: “The application would result in the loss of several small trees on the periphery of the site. These are only visible in the immediate vicinity and their loss will have no significant impact on the wider setting.”
