Go-ahead for first modular homes in city
PLANNERS have given the first modular homes in Cardiff the green light as part of plans to deliver 1,500 affordable homes across the city.
Cardiff council has joined forces with developer Wates Residential to build a 100% affordable housing project on Crofts Street in Plasnewydd as part of the 10-year Cardiff Living partnership.
The Crofts Street development will pilot the latest modular homes at a former laboratory site, which will soon be available to rent.
Modular housing has long been hailed as a solution to a housing crisis that has left workers in Wales needing to fork out eight times their annual income to buy a house, according to ONS data published in 2018.
Wates Residential will build nine twobedroom homes for council rent at Crofts Street, where all the homes will boast mechanical and natural ventilation, providing year-round comfort.
Annual heating bills are expected to be around 90% less than traditional builds, helping to reduce fuel poverty.
The modular homes, which are designed and manufactured off-site in controlled conditions using the latest technology and construction materials, will need a significantly reduced programme of works on site to get them built.
It means people already living in the area will experience less disruption and reduced emissions.
The Crofts Street project, which is due to start later this year, will be delivered through Wates Residential and Homeshell, a joint venture between architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and AECOM.
The planning decision, announced yesterday, comes after the scheme was awarded an Innovative Housing Programme grant by the Welsh Government in October 2018.
The project has also been reviewed by the Design Commission for Wales.
Across the Cardiff Living project, 40 per cent of homes delivered will be council homes available to rent through the existing allocations process or to buy through the council’s Home Assisted Ownership scheme.
As part of the project, Wates Residential has also made a joint pledge with Cardiff council to create employment and training opportunities for local residents, including on-site apprenticeships, work experience placements and structured training programmes.
Edward Rees, regional director for Wates Residential, said: “It’s fantastic to see consent given to this affordable housing project, which is part of our long-term partnership with Cardiff council.
“The modular design will increase energy efficiency and shorten our time on site, helping to reduce emissions and disruption for existing residents.
“This is just one of the ways innovative solutions can help tackle growing demand for housing and we look forward to working with the council to deliver more homes over the coming months and years.”
Cabinet member for housing and communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The Crofts Street development will provide nine new council homes in the city and helps us on our way to building 2,000 new council homes, around 600 of which are being delivered through our Cardiff Living partnership with Wates Residential.
“We’re always looking for opportunities and new ways of developing more affordable housing to tackle growing demand in the city and to do so as quickly as possible.
“This exciting scheme, which will be the first time we have used a highly energy-efficient modular build system, can be delivered in considerably less time than a traditional-build project and has been awarded Welsh Government Innovative Housing Funding. The advantages of the scheme include reduced energy bills for tenants, helping to combat fuel poverty, while the amount of construction time on site is significantly reduced, which is an obvious benefit for people living in the community around the development.”
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