CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 117 new homes in Cardiff Bay will be debated by councillors tomorrow.
Plans put forward by Morganstone Ltd and Cardiff Community Housing Association would see 85 apartments and 32 affordable new homes built just off Schooner Way.
Some local residents have expressed concerns about the proposed development, citing increased congestion and parking problems in the area. Plans submitted to the council show there would only be an additional 64 parking spaces for the proposed 117 homes.
Building work is already due to start on eight new homes further along Schooner Way, which have increased concerns among residents about the timing of the construction.
Bernard James, a member of the Atlantic Wharf Residents Association, was critical of the plans: “It is inevitable the ground near Schooner Way will be developed but we are unhappy about a few things that don’t seem to go our way,” he said.
“We would have preferred if the site was high-quality homes which were sold on the open market. The quantity of social housing being proposed does not make sense for the area.”
The proposed site is currently wasteland at the back of County Hall which has been left disused for many years. Extensive work must take place to make the site suitable before any construction can begin.
The Atlantic Wharf Residents Association are also unhappy with Morganstone Ltd regarding the amount of compensation they would pay the council – known as a Section 106 agreement – if the plans were agreed.
Mr James said: “The numbers put forward have not been fair. If this site does get the go ahead tomorrow, we would want to see Cardiff City Council ring-fence the money to help develop Atlantic Wharf. It would not be fair to see this money go elsewhere.”
The application put forward by Morganstone Ltd and Cardiff Community housing claim they would pay £613,679.25 via section 106 when monitoring fees are included. They claim this would make the project too expensive.
Their joint housing application added: “The application would provide dwellings which would contribute to meeting a 5-year housing land shortfall.
“The site will provide much needed affordable housing, above the 20% requirement for affordable housing on brownfield land.”
A decision will be announced at the Planning Committee meeting in County Hall at 2.30pm tomorrow.
