Plans for apartments in one of Cardiff's most expensive areas have been criticised as there is no provision for a contribution to affordable housing or community facilities.
Developer Melvin Properties have been given permission to demolish two houses in Drysgol Road in Radyr and build 18 apartments and one detached four-bed house in their place.
Cardiff council's planning committee voted to approve the apartments, which would overlook Radyr Golf Course, on Wednesday March 20, despite there being no financial contributions being put forward by the developer.
The council had sought section 106 contributions of £310,996 towards affordable housing provision, £10,000 towards bus stop improvements and £25,835 towards public open space.
But the developer got away with paying nothing after an assessment of the development, independently verified by the district valuer, which said the scheme would not be viable if contribution was sought.
Councillor Rod McKerlich, who represents the area, told the committee: "It is quite ludicrous that when two homes are being replaced with 19 the development is such that it can't stand any section 106 money to any affordable homes.
"It's completely outrageous that affordable homes, open space and transport provisions are completely missed. How on earth can it not be viable if you're turning two homes into 19 to find either room for some affordable housing or the wherewithal to pay some section 106 money?"
The average price for property in Drysgol Road stood at £424,016 in March 2019, according to Zoopla.
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Councillor Mike Jones-Pritchard, member of the committee, said: "It's amazing that there is a deficit of half a million pounds - give or take - on a scheme in this location.
"Our hands are tied. The district valuer has said it is what it is. There's something wrong in the system there."
A council report says: "The relevant sections of the council accept that it would be unreasonable to request financial contributions given the findings of the independently verified viability report".
Councillor Sean Driscoll, another member of the committee, added: "I'm shocked there's no section 106 contribution as well."
Councillor McKerlich also told the committee the visual appearance of the proposals as "completely inappropriate" and are not in character with the area, the car parking provision would be inappropriate and would impact on traffic.
The Ministry of Justice, which owns a nearby listed building, Whitehall, objected to the plans, as did more than 50 people who signed a petition.
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Radyr and Morganstown Community Council objected to the development due to concerns over traffic, insufficient parking for visitors, the impact on the the character of the development and lack of developer's contributions.
Planning committee member councillor Iona Gordon said: "It's a complete over-development especially with this separate house on its own.
"It's dreadful. It's a real urban, harsh and most incongruous over development of this site."
The site would be served by a car park of 20 spaces.
Robert Chichester, director for C2J Architects on behalf of the applicant, said the proposal had "due regard to the context of the area and would compliment the character" and "would not have any undue impact on the general amenities of neighbouring occupiers".
Highways officers for the council said the development would have no adverse impact on the road network, he said.
Mr Chichester said: "The amended scheme is an attractive, vibrant and sustainable development which seeks to assist in the housing choice within the area."
The Planning Committee approved the plans six votes in favour to two against.
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