It's a secret agency committed to fighting otherwordly threats - now there are calls for Cardiff's massive new shopping development to be named after it.

Torchwood, the team that hunts aliens from its underground Cardiff Bay HQ in the BBC sci-fi drama, should lend its name to Cardiff's £650m St David's 2 development, according to one city councillor.

Self-confessed sci-fi fan Councillor Richard Foley is calling for the massive shopping complex to be named Torchwood. The councillor, who represents Llanishen and Thornhill, is even raising the matter at the authority's next meeting.

He said the development should have a name of its own to distinguish it from the city's existing St David's centre. Coun Foley said "If it could be called Torchwood I think it would be amazing and a boost for tourism. The programme has showcased the city so well." Coun Foley will now press Cardiff council leader Rodney Berman for a statement on the possibility of renaming the development. And he insists there is a serious matter behind his question. "I have been told that St David's 2 is a working title but we have still not had a debate on what the name should be, despite repeated requests from myself and other members. However, it appears Coun Foley's name change could be dashed. City centre manager Paul Williams said he expected the new complex to be known as St David's 2.

"People know St David's and it's vitally important we preserve the name and recognise the heritage, even in a 21st century development," he said. Council leader Rodney Berman said "Torchwood is a great ambassador for the city and has helped to put 21st Century Cardiff on the map. On a personal level I have a lot of sympathy for the idea but the practicalities are not quite that simple. The council does not have the right to the name of Torchwood. That rests with the BBC and the naming of the development rests with the developers."

A spokesman for the St David's Partnership said "St David's 2 is a brand name designed to differentiate it from the existing St David's Shopping Centre during construction. The intention on completion in 2009 is for both centres to be known collectively as the St David's Shopping Centre."