The proposed development, that will be delivered through a collaboration between Cardiff Council and national developer Wates Residential as part of the Cardiff Living programme and create around 235 homes on the site of the former Michaelston Community College in Ely, has been approved by Planning Committee.
The new development seeks to promote independent living with a focus on health and wellbeing. Cardiff Council and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board have been working together to propose a range of spaces for the local community, to enable better delivery of services in the area.
With a focus on building new homes for older people with 107 Community Living apartments for rent from the Council, the development also includes a mixture of 128 homes for other age-groups that will be for sale on the open market.
The scheme will be vibrant and
characterful, boasting a fully accessible neighbourhood with the aim of
encouraging social interaction and promoting a healthy lifestyle. A new medical
centre, new community hub with multi-purpose rooms, a cafe and an agile working
space will be at the heart of the scheme at a central plaza that is
well-connected to the housing on site.
High-quality outdoor spaces will feature throughout, including
a sports area, community gardens, allotments and the retention and enhancement
of the existing wooded areas. Green infrastructure and sustainable urban
drainage form an integral part of the scheme’s design.
Full planning permission was
granted by Planning Committee yesterday (Nov 7) for these aspects of the
wellbeing village while outline planning permission was approved for nine adult
supported living flats and a children’s respite centre.
A council spokesperson said:
“Michaelston Wellbeing Village is one of the most exciting schemes within our
housing development programme, delivering much needed, affordable housing for
older people as well as new homes for sale in the area.
“These new homes will provide
better access to health services, open spaces and community facilities for
residents, complementing existing amenities nearby and supporting older people
to stay active and connected in their community.
“We’re making very good
progress against our ambition to deliver 4,000 new homes for the city, to help
deal with unprecedented housing pressures and the Michaelston scheme forms an
important part of that overall plan.”
Stuart Jones, Regional
Development Director | Wates Residential, said: “At Wates, we reimagine places
for people to thrive. We are very proud of our work with Cardiff Council through
the Cardiff Living programme, creating thriving communities across the city.
“This new wellbeing village –
the city’s first – represents another milestone in our partnership, and we look
forward to creating another vibrant community supporting the wellbeing of all
residents.”