The Western Mail reports that the House Builders Federation Wales believes a shortage of housing land in and around Cardiff is stunting the economy of south east Wales.
The Welsh Government's Joint Housing Land Availability Study apparantly shows that Cardiff has just 2.2 years supply of land for housing available based on previous build rates. Local authorities are supposed to have at least 5 years available.
In neighbouring authorities the situation is like this (2010 figures):
The Welsh Government's Joint Housing Land Availability Study apparantly shows that Cardiff has just 2.2 years supply of land for housing available based on previous build rates. Local authorities are supposed to have at least 5 years available.
In neighbouring authorities the situation is like this (2010 figures):
- Bridgend -5.2 years
- Vale of Glamorgan – 6.7 years
- Caerphilly – 3.8 years
- Rhondda Cynon Taf - 7.6 years
- Newport – 6.8 years
Cardiff City Council, run by a Lib Dem-Plaid coalition, have been reluctant to include greenfield land in their Local Development Plan. Relying on brownfield land for housing supply is laudable, but in order to generate the number of new homes Cardiff needs, Cardiff Council are going to have to open up, not necessarily "green belt" land, but greenfield/natural urban extensions. For example around Pontprennau and Fairwater.
Cardiff isn't a sprawling megalopolis, it's a small city by European standards. As long as the new suburbs are well planned - in particular with good community facilities and public transport links - there's no logical reason for anyone to fear more development. Of course many do. Take the ongoing Llanishen reservoir saga for example.
The Welsh Government effectively forced Cardiff Council to withdraw and restart their LDP and are quoted as saying:
"The Welsh Government is concerned where any local planning authority does not fulfil its statutory duties, as this reduces the degree of control and influence over where future development may come forward.
It is in the interest of all local planning authorities to plan prudently for all aspects of their communities, including the business sector, to ensure that the positive benefits arising from change can be captured for all members of the local community."
People of my generation, who usually would've moved to the larger English cities or even abroad, increasingly see Cardiff as somewhere desirable (even trendy) to live and work, slowly stemming the brain drain.
More flats/apartments just doesn't cut it when you reach your late 20's and early 30's and want to settle down. If they can't get decent family housing in Cardiff, a few will be "pushed" up into the Valleys and commute. Building houses in one place outside of Cardiff doesn't spread any prosperity there, it only creates frustrated commuters living in somewhere that wasn't their first choice.
If these people can be so easily pushed into the Valleys, they're also going to be pulled in increasing numbers to Bristol, London and further afield, being replaced by retirees and others looking to downsize. That'll do the Welsh and Cardiff economies no favours.
"Relying on brownfield land for housing supply is laudable, but in order to generate the number of new homes Cardiff needs, Cardiff Council are going to have to open up, not necessarily "green belt" land, but greenfield/natural urban extensions. For example around Pontprennau and Fairwater."
ReplyDeleteExactly, Cardiff needs to expand along Llantrisant Road, St Mellons Road and the banks of the river Rhymney. We need this to go ahead, along with the Cardiff & Valleys Metro!