Long-term plans to transform the east of Cardiff, which are being described as being as big as the development of Cardiff Bay, have been approved.
Cardiff Council’s ruling body has approved an industrial strategy aimed at boosting jobs and investment in the east of the city.
The 20-year plan involves new industrial and business units, transport infrastructure such as a tramway, and opportunities for green energy generation.
A proposed Cardiff Parkway railway station, planned at St Mellons Business Park by 2023, and the Eastern Bay Link Road to the A48, form part of the wider strategy to regenerate the area.
The strategy covers the east Cardiff wards of Rumney, Llanrumney, Tremorfa, Splott, Penylan Trowbridge, Pentwyn and Pontprennau and Old St Mellons, which the council says have “major potential for industrial-related development.”
An outline planning application for the Cardiff Parkway project, with a new station and up to 900,000 sq ft of commercial development, is expected to be submitted to Cardiff Council next spring.
While Cardiff Parkway’s commercial element would be developed over a phased period, it is anticipated that the first wave of buildings will be completed alongside the train station in mid 2023.
Cardiff Parkway and its business district is being driven by entrepreneur Nigel Roberts and his son Andrew. They are being backed by financial services giant Investec and the Welsh Government, which has taken a 10% equity stake in the project. Cardiff Parkway is being delivered through holding company, South Wales Infrastructure Ltd (SWIL).
Most Read
The east of Cardiff has some of the poorest wards not just in the capital but the whole of Wales - with a third of people aged over 16 having no qualifications and some areas being poorly served by public transport.
Russell Goodway, cabinet member for investment and development, told a cabinet meeting: “For far too long the point has been made that if the southern arc of Cardiff was a local authority in its own right it would be the most deprived area in Wales.
“Over the next 15 to 20 years we can start to put that right.
“I consider the publication of this strategy as a landmark moment for a part of this city that has been neglected.”
A link road between the east of Cardiff and the A48, leading to the M4, and improved pedestrian and cycling facilities in the area, form part of the plans to improve transport in the area.
Employment uses to be brought to the area include light industry, manufacturing and the creative industries.
There are also plans for renewable energy generation on historic landfill sites, similar to the recently approved 32,000 panels at Lamby Way.
Don’t miss
Mr Goodway said: “We’re inviting the world to come to Cardiff to help us deliver something that is very special. We will not be closed to ideas from anywhere in the world. It will be a beacon for the whole of Wales. This is a 20-year project that will take that amount of time.
“This will be as big as the non-residential components of Cardiff Bay, except the barrage.”