Plans to house people in shipping containers have been criticised by a Lib Dem councillor.
Cardiff Council recently approved the plans to use 14 shipping containers to provide temporary housing in Butetown.
The development is designed to tackle a housing shortage across the city.
Cadwyn Housing Association, which submitted the plans, intends to build seven single-occupancy and seven double-occupancy container homes on Bute Street.
The site is being built on an old animal hospital which is no longer occupied and there are concerns about how the development fits in with Cardiff Council’s overall housing strategy.
Lib Dem Councillor for Pentwyn and Llanedeyrn Emma Sandrey said: “Although it seems quite innovative in terms of temporary housing, I think it is concerning what it says about our approach to the housing crisis. The message we are sending to people is that it is ok for people to live in shipping containers.”
But not everyone is against the plans.
Megan Rowlins-Read spends her day working from a shipping container making pots. She said, “My partner and I have looked into living in a shipping container in the short term. It would save us money, and help us get rid of our unwanted stuff.”
The developers only have temporary planning permission for the site, and Cardiff Council will reconsider their application in five years time.
