Council bids to buy flats being built on former school site

CARDIFF council is looking to take ownership of flats being built on a site that was once home to a historic building.

Developer JR Smart caused controversy over its plans to demolish the historic University Buildings on Courtenay Road in Splott.

That application was approved in 2015 and demolition began in April last year.

The same developer was also given permission to build 30 flats at the site.

Then, in June this year, JR Smart signed over deeds of the land to Cadwyn Housing.

Now, Cardiff council is seeking permission to enter into a contract with Cadwyn Housing to buy the new flats which will be built on the site.

A report being discussed by cabinet members on Thursday says the Splott ward is “as an area where there are high levels of housing need for both council and registered social landlord affordable rented properties”.

The report says: “The apartments will provide much-needed quality council homes in a city centre environment with all the benefits of good access to local amenities and public transport”.

Planning permission has been given for three different blocks which will contain a total of 20 one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedroom apartments.

Should the recommendation be approved, work on site will commence before the end of this year with handover of the flats anticipated in the 2018-19 financial year.

The council is being offered to it under a “package deal” scheme.

That allows the landowner or developer to put forward the proposal, site layout and unit designs and the cost of the deal has been assessed by surveyors.

Cadwyn will hand over the homes to the council when completed.

The land has also been valued, but that is kept confidential.

The council has a target of delivering at least 1,000 new council homes within five years and this scheme of 30 will be part of that figure.