Biggest-ever expansion of welsh capital

CARDIFF is currently undergoing its biggest-ever expansion, with housing developments springing up on the city’s outskirts.

The boom in Cardiff’s housebuilding is expected to see, over the next two decades, some 41,000 new homes being built in the capital.

With the city’s population expected to continue to grow from 354,300 (in 2014) to 444,700 in the next 25 years, the Welsh Government says there is an increasing need for more housing.

The issue has, inevitably, proved controversial – sparking warnings that the city’s infrastructure, particularly its roads and public transport services, will be further stretched as a result of the increase in housing.

Among other planned developments unveiled recently, proposals were revealed for a new 650-home suburb north of Cardiff – built on land south of Creigiau and north of junction 33 of the M4.

South Wales Central AM Neil McEvoy has objected to the move, warning of the loss of green fields, adding: “The character of the village [of Creigiau] will be irrevocably changed as it is dragged into a major conurbation and becomes part of a new town.”

Developers responded that the project was necessary to meet the housing needs of Cardiff over the next seven years, and pointed out that just under a third of the project would be made up of “affordable” housing, while contributions would also be made towards community facilities.

And recently the Echo reported that work was due to start on another major 1,500-home housing development on the outskirts of Cardiff.

Persimmon Homes and sister brand Charles Church are working on a primary school and sports pitches as well as the new homes south of Creigiau, on land just north of junction 33 of the M4.