CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 117 new homes in Cardiff Bay have been approved by councillors.
The joint venture between developers Morganstone Ltd and Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) will see an additional 85 apartments and 32 affordable homes built on Schooner Way.
The site of the approved housing development. Building work is due to start in late 2016.
Caroline Lewis, Development Director at CCHA said: “We are delighted to have received planning approval.
“The scheme will be a mix of for sale apartments and affordable family homes. Developing these properties helps us to achieve our mission of providing homes and regenerating communities.”
A total of 27 per cent of the homes built will be affordable housing, which exceeds the council’s recommendation of 20 per cent.
Yet the plans have attracted criticism from local residents, with the Atlantic Wharf Housing Association citing reduced access and increased congestion in their formal objection to the council.
At the Planning Commission Meeting, Butetown councillor Ali Ahmed voiced residents’ concerns. He said: “Hencke Court has a small, narrow road and there are a lot of apartments in that block.
“Parking is a major problem. Butetown Atlantic Wharf is in a situation where if we are going to have houses and apartments we need to make sure there are enough facilities for residents.”
Artist’s impression of completed site
Another issue raised by Cllr Ahmed was the lack of public facilities available for local residents.
Cllr Ahmed added: “Atlantic Wharf has no public facilities at all. I would have been happier to see some public facilities.”
Councillors agreed to ask developers to use the money paid through the section 106 agreement to go towards improving public facilities within the area.
One proposal put forward by Cllr Ahmed was to make space for public facilities within the new build complex, but the developers are under no obligation to do so.
Atlantic Wharf has said they will not pursue any further action to stop the development.
Building work is scheduled to start towards the end of this year and is expected to take two years to complete.
