Plans for affordable homes are approved

PLANS to build 170 affordable new homes in popular residential areas of Cardiff have been approved.

A total of 121 affordable homes will be brought to Llanishen on the former Travis Perkins site in Malvern Drive after councillors gave the go-ahead.

And 53 more affordable properties will be built in the former Phoenix Estate in Caerphilly Road in a separate application which was also allowed by Cardiff Council.

WYG Planning Ltd has been told it can demolish the existing buildings on the Travis Perkins site and build two apartment blocks up to five storeys high for 81 one-bed apartments and 31 two-bed apartments.

The development will also include nine three-bed terraced houses.

A petition against the development was signed by 59 residents in less than 24 hours who were concerned about car parking – as just 39 spaces are planned for the site.

Petitioner David Newland told Cardiff council’s planning committee yesterday that traffic problems in the area would get worse if the scheme was allowed.

“We believe this new development has not provided enough family homes and gardens. It’s unneighbourly with its five-storey section overlooking existing flats.

“(Parking) is a real issue in our community and this application will make it worse.”

Louise Attwood, development director at Linc-Cymru housing association, which will run the scheme, said her organisation will contribute towards gardening in nearby open spaces and will engage with local schools.

She told the meeting: “We’re offering either a public contribution or to build a community space.

“In our comparable schemes we have 26% car ownership – we’re offering 37% here.

Meanwhile, United Welsh Group has also been given permission to demolish the existing large warehouse and several buildings on the west of the Phoenix Estate – which have been empty for 10 years.

The developer will build 17 one-bed apartments, three twobed flats, 21 two-bed houses and 12 three-bed houses, and provide 73 car parking spaces.

The scheme was granted permission unanimously.

Councillor Sean Driscoll, spoke in support of the scheme but called for ongoing monitoring of the wildlife in the area.

He said: “I think it’s a really good scheme. It will be an asset to the area.”

Councillor Asghar Ali added: “I welcome the scheme. It will being much needed affordable homes. Build them as soon as possible.”