With the city’s Local Development Plan (LDP) approved by the Welsh government early in January this year, the wheels are already in motion for the supply of a significant number of new homes to Cardiff over the next ten years.
Councillors approved the scheme over two-and-a-half years ago and many of the 41,400 new homes proposed on the LDP have already been started or received planning permission, with a target date of 2026 to complete that number. It has attracted plenty of criticism, for earmarking greenfield land for some 13,000 of the new homes, failing to secure a long-term green belt for the city and for what many see as an insufficient improvement to transport infrastructure to support the increased population.
There is widespread support for the proposals, however. Councillor Ramesh Patel, cabinet member for planning and sustainability, told Wales Online earlier this year: “This is an exciting time for Cardiff. We are one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. The LDP will ensure the authority has the power to manage the phased development of houses and new communities across the city. It will enable us to have affordable new homes constructed. Sustainable homes, suitable for families and our growing population. Cardiff has been in dire need for this plan for some time.”
Since the approval of the scheme, Bellway has bought land in the north-east of the city for 150 new homes and work has started on 117 new apartments at the Schooner Way development in Cardiff Bay. Plans have also been submitted for a scheme to set 1,500 new homes just north of the M4 in Creigiau, alongside a 1,000-spce park-and-ride scheme plus a new school, shops and offices.
Housebuilder Lovell is working with Tirion Group and Cadwyn Housing Association to bring homes to a 53-acre brownfield site in Canton, in the west of Cardiff, over half of which will be built for the rental market, most at a discounted rate. Having begun groundwork to the project in early February, Lovell regional managing director Kate Rees says: “To see construction work under way at The Mill, Canton is genuinely exciting and marks an important milestone for the impressive new community now starting to take shape in west Cardiff. The development is not only creating 800 much-needed new homes but also bringing multiple social and economic benefits for the area through new jobs and training opportunities as well as support for local community organisations.”
A new ‘garden city’ district of the Welsh capital is set to bring 7,000 new homes to Plasdwr, with housebuilder Redrow Homes already starting work on the first part of the 900-acre site, with a 15- to 20-year timescale for the new housing as well as health and leisure facilities, shops, pubs and restaurants, and new commercial premises and schools.
Acorn Cardiff has had planning granted at its flagship development Cottrell Green in Bonvilston, just west of the city. The £55m scheme will deliver 96 homes for private sale alongside 24 affordable homes, together with improve road links and additional public space. “This is a great achievement for the team" says James Groombridge, regional managing director of Acorn Cardiff. “The success of the planning application and tender proves that Acorn can offer a genuine alternative to the national housebuilders."
Among the new homes for sale in Cardiff now are:
In Wenvoe, Redrow is selling homes at The Grange. With a range of four-bedroom Arts & Crafts-inspired properties currently available from £374,995, the current Plot of the Week is ‘The Harrogate on Plot 133, a detached home where the price of £409,995 includes a number of upgrades already fitted. The site is open seven days a week, from 10.00am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, and 11.00am to 5.30pm Monday.
Mulberry Grove is a scheme from Charles Church Developments with 14 house types on offer, ranging from two to five bedrooms. The development is located in St Fagans, on the western outskirts of Cardiff, and prices start from £190,000, with Help to Buy Wales, Home Change and Part Exchange available on selected plots.
Set in a location with clear views right across Cardiff Bay from a southern city suburb, Crest Nicholson’s Penarth Heights offers a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments together with three- and four-bedroom houses, with prices across a range of budgets, from £192,000 to £750,000. Buyers can look at Help to Buy and Part Exchange.
Savills will soon be marketing Bayscape, a waterside development in Cardiff Marina, located within the International Sports Village. Launching in spring/summer, the scheme will comprise 115 apartments, duplexes and penthouses in two separate pavilions, with one-, two- and three-bedroom options, and mixed with a number of retail outlets. Prices and service charges will be announced near the launch, but completion is due in 2018.
Also from Savills, representing Figurehead Homes, is another development on the bay, Cardiff Pointe, with views across the marina to the Bristol Channel. This development will comprise two- and three-bedroom apartments (on 999-year leases) as well as four- and five-bedroom townhouses (freehold). Less than ten minutes from the city centre, all apartments have allocated parking and all houses have a single or double garage. Prices currently start at £370,000.
Hern & Crabtree is selling a boutique development in a conservation area in Whitchurch, a northern suburb of the city, which has just six houses in it, a range of three- to five-bedroom models. One example at The Orchards is ‘Maple Lodge’, a four-bedroom houses set over three storeys on a corner plot, priced at £625,000. It is the only detached property on the site and is ready to move into.
From the same agent comes Benedict Court, another boutique development of just six homes, this time flats and maisonettes all with two bedroom and starting from £192,500. Located right on the northern edge of Cardiff in Radyr, these homes are well located for access to the M4 and a straightforward route into the heart of the city. There are good local amenities too, including shops, pubs, sports clubs and a primary school.