Hundreds of homes will be built on green space in Cardiff and a site formerly occupied by a college will be used for a new housing scheme despite concerns over traffic. The two major plans have been approved by Cardiff Council's planning committee.
A proposal to expand one of the city's Welsh language schools, Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf in Llandaff North, was also given the go-ahead. The application for 650 homes on land south of Creigiau was approved in principle, but further details on the plans will be agreed at a later date.
What is being described as a 'wellbeing village' at the old Michaelston College site in Ely will consist of 107 independent living apartments and 128 homes for sale on the open market.
Land south of Creigiau
The outline plans approved for land near Creigiau were met with some opposition by residents who were concerned about the loss of green space that will result from development. Council officials pointed out at Thursday's meeting that the land, which is to the north of Llantrisant Road, is part of the current local development plan (LDP) and was already earmarked for housing.
However one of the councillors for Pentyrch and St Fagans, Cllr Catriona Brown-Reckless, argued the decision on the new homes should be reconsidered at a later date as part of the revised LDP. Councils use LDPs to decide which areas of land should be used for things like housing in order to meet the demands of population growth and industry.
They are also used to mark out which areas of land should be protected. Cardiff Council is in the process of developing a new LDP, which is often referred to as the replacement local development plan (RLDP).
Cllr Brown-Reckless argued that the council has previously overestimated population growth figures as part of its LDP process and that a number of policies followed by the local authority have changed since it developed its current LDP. Her fellow ward councillor, Cllr Rhys Livesy, also raised concerns about the potential impact on the site's local habitats like the Castell y Mynach Wood which is a site of importance for nature conservation (SINC).
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A planning officer at the council, Mark Hancock, again stressed the point that the site has already been allocated for development and that the council "is not in a position to defer it [the application] until a replacement local development plan comes in". He added that potential impacts of the development in certain areas, like the environment, will be looked at more closely once more details about the application are brought forward.
A council report on the plans also details a number of proposals that have been put forward to mitigate the scheme's impact on the environment like a green corridor and dormouse bridges. The site will be an extension to the existing village of Creigiau. Just to the south of the site is the parcel of land north of the M4 at junction 33 which has been allocated for about 2,000 homes.
Former Michaelston College site in Ely
The 235 new homes being delivered as part of the housing scheme in Ely will be joined by a community hub, cafe, GP surgery, and community hall. Cardiff Council ward member for Ely, Cllr Russell Goodway, said there is "general support across the community for the concept of a wellbeing village" but he added that there were "significant concerns" about the impact it could have.
One worry that some residents have is that existing traffic issues along Michaelston Road, particularly between Drope Road and the Culverhouse Cross roundabout, will get worse. One resident we spoke to in March 2023 described Michaelston Road and its junction with the A48 as a "no-go area" at times.
Denise James, 67, said : "You can't get on to Michaelston Road, you can't access Culverhouse Cross shopping centre. Equally access to Cowbridge Road to get through to Canton is just an absolute nightmare so I tend not to go out on the weekends.
Another resident, Mark Harris, said: "You have really got to pick and choose the time of day you want to leave your home. During peak times at the schools it is crazy." The housing scheme is a partnership project that Cardiff Council is working on with Waites.
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They have proposed improvements to the access point onto Michaelston Road in the form of a priority junction. The scheme also proposes a mini-roundabout on the Drope Road/Michaelston Road junction, zebra crossings, and a lengthened parking lay-by opposite the parade of shops on Michaelston Road.
There will be 249 car parking spaces for the residential element of the development. An additional 70 parking spaces will be provided for the community facilities, healthcare uses, and visitor spaces. An outline planning permission application for a children's respite centre and adult supported living facility was included in the overall plans. The children's centre will provide 94 parking spaces.
Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf
Proposals to expand Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf with a range of new facilities have been approved. The new facilities at the Welsh-medium secondary school will include a special resource base and a new 2G sports pitch.
Inside the special resource base there will be a community cafe, a learning kitchen, performance hall, soft play area, sensory rooms, five classrooms, and workshops. Cardiff Council ward member for Llandaff North, Cllr Jennifer Burke, supported the plans saying the project will offer a "number of benefits to the community".
She added: "The special resource base will provide valuable resources and a more inclusive learning environment for students with additional needs, enhancing accessibility, and tailored support within our local education system. Moreover the proposed community café and outdoor spaces can create a new destination along the north section of the Taff Trail fostering a vibrant, welcoming space for students, residents, and visitors alike."
The proposals also includes 26 cycle parking spaces and improvements to the River Taff footpath. Cllr Burke said this will provide a "safer alternative entrance for students cycling to school" and an alternative route to the "often-busy Gabalfa Road".