LDP aims to make Cardiff world-class European capital city

Approval of LDP ensures we don't lose talent to other cities due to lack of housing and opportunities

4 February 2016

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The vision of Cardiff’s Local Development Plan was set out in the 10 year ‘What Matters’ Strategy (2010-2020) which states: ‘By 2020… Cardiff will be a world class European capital city with an exceptional quality of life and at the heart of a thriving city-region’. Now, 20 years after the last development plan was approved, Councillors in Cardiff have finally adopted the city’s new LDP which formally allocates the delivery of up to 41,400 new homes, offices, transport improvements including walking and cycling routes, schools and allotments.

With a current population of around 350,000 and growth projections of 3,500 people annually, plus 1.4m people living within a 45 minute drive and nearly 77,900 people commuting into the city each day, a plan-lead approach is seen as vital to fulfil the city’s needs and its aspirations for the future.

Cooke & Arkwright’s Chairman, Michael Lawley comments, “Having the LDP in place means that the city’s housing expansion, necessary to  accommodate an expanding population, can be managed, ensuring the growth of the city is controlled and produces high quality development and the infrastructure necessary to deliver it.

“Providing more Grade A office space will attract businesses to our city, but they may be reluctant to locate here unless there is also good quality housing for their workers. The decision to approve the LDP will not only enable Cardiff to attract new business, but will allow for home-grown businesses to expand and ensure we do not lose our good talent to other cities due to lack of housing and opportunities.”

The key sites to deliver the Plan are a combination of brownfield and greenfield to meet a spread of delivery needs. Brownfield strategic sites are in Cardiff Central Enterprise Zone and the former gas works at Ferry Road; greenfield strategic sites include the garden-city of Plasdwr in north-west Cardiff, and at areas north of Junction 33 and south of Creigau, in north-east Cardiff (west of Pontprennau), east of Pontprennau Link Road and south of St Mellons Business Park (employment only). Protected areas include the designation of a Green Wedge north of the M4, imposition of tight settlement boundaries policy county-wide, and the protection of river valleys and open spaces.

I have worked with Jeremy Symons over the past three years successfully leasing and buying property in support of my business. I continue to be very pleased with his knowledge of the market and expertise. Our relationship over this time has resulted in acquiring 20,000 sq ft at Capital Business Park in Cardiff, leasing 11,000 sq ft at Southpoint, and subsequently leasing an initial 42,000 sq ft at Parc Bedwas, followed by a succession of expansions of a further 11,000 and then 47,000 sq ft, enabling us to centralise all of our operations at Parc Bedwas in a single 100,000 sq ft facility. The acquisitions were completed at the perfect time for tenant purposes and the rent fixed throughout the term at very economical rates. A job well done.

Bob James, Aerfin