Plans to build 28 new council homes in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff have been approved despite fierce opposition from residents.
The plans which will see 20 two-bedroom apartments and eight one-bedroom apartments built on the former Morrisons My Local shop on Pentwyn Drive were approved by Cardiff Council planning committee on September 28.
Each of the 28 apartments will be situated in one building.
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There has been scathing criticism of the plans which include only six parking spaces for the 28 new homes. Locals have also labelled the development a "monstrosity" and say it will "ruin the neighbourhood beyond repair".
The application report states that: "A total of four car parking spaces for the development are provided (2 of which are disabled spaces), with two for the takeaway unit adjacent. The four spaces provided will be sited in close proximity and direct view of the apartments."
Included in the plans are 48 cycle parking spaces within the site, adjacent to the parking area in safe and secure bicycle stores.
As well as concerns about parking, there had been numerous objections to the environmental impact the development would have on the amount of light reaching neighbouring properties.
Much of the buildings on the new development will be three storeys, stepping down to two-storeys to the north-east of the site.
Before becoming a shop, the former Morrisons building was a pub called the Pentwyn Arms and then later the Grand Slam. Morrisons closed down its Local chain across the UK in 2016. The council is now working with Linc Housing Association to build flats there.
The plans form part of the council’s wider push to build 1,000 new council homes by next year, and are hoped to ease some of the pressure on the city’s long waiting list for social housing.
Plans for the development were first submitted to the councill in March 2021, with a committee report being filed in May.
There have been several objections to the plans on Cardiff Council's planning portal, with one councillor writing to the planning department with concerns about the developemt.
One commenter formally objected to the plans stating: "The parking is dangerous in this area already. We are in an area with no parking supporting a shop,post office, Chinese,Indian, doctors,vets, opticians,dentist, pharmacy etc! Not including the residents who can not park safety outside their houses due to everyone using all the facilities
"So close to a few schools so always children around. It's dangerous around here,so many accidents already,does there have to ba a fatal one before someone will listen."
While another labelled the plans a "monstrosity" and said: "Building anything that would not serve the community on this site will ruin the neighbourhood beyond repair. I sincerely hope that Cardiff Council will consider the negative impact of these plans on the local residents and house owners and refrain from actions lining the pockets of non-local beneficiaries of these plans."
The committee report filed in May 2021 said that "there is no objection from the Transportation Officer on grounds of inadequate car parking."
It reads: "The emphasis of Welsh government guidance, the Council’s planning policies and SPG is to minimise car parking and promote sustainable development. In this case the site immediately adjoins bus stops, a small group of retail units including a convenience store and an amenity area. In very close proximity is a GPs and playing field. There are 3 primary schools within 400m (St Davids, St Bernadettes and Bryn Celyn) and Glyncoed Primary school is 500m distant.
"Whilst there have been a number of objections to the development principally on grounds of inadequate car parking this is a sustainable site. The car parking (including disabled spaces) for the development and the cycle parking is in line with PPW, the LDP and SPG and is therefore considered acceptable. (This is subject to the condition recommended by Transport Officer and required TRO)."
Discussing the building of more social housing in Cardiff in July, Councillor Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing, said: “The Welsh Government is encouraging more collaboration between local authorities and housing associations, where feasible, to share resources and maximise the delivery of affordable homes.
“This is exactly what we are aiming to do in these latest proposals.”
Cllr Thorne added: “Our ambitious target for 2,000 new council homes has been set in direct response to the increasing demand for affordable housing in our city. While we are exploring all opportunities we can to deliver more good quality, sustainable housing, pressures remain very high as more people join the waiting list for social housing.
“We’re currently on target for 1,000 new homes by 2022, and our programme is capable of delivering double that in the longer term.
“Our housing association partners have an important role to play in helping increase the amount of social housing available in the city, so I’m really pleased to see us working closely together to deliver good quality, new homes.”
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