Cardiff Council prepares to submit 26,400-home local plan to government

If it receives final approval at a full council meeting next week, the plan will then be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales for independent inspection.

A report to the council’s cabinet following the consultation made clear that all 26,400 new homes required in the plan can be delivered through brownfield sites and existing planning permissions, or on land already identified for development.

No new greenfield sites have been identified under the proposed plan, but “high-density, mixed-use developments in sustainable locations” have been chosen in “specific housing-led regeneration areas”.

Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, said: “The [replacement local development plan], or Deposit Plan, will create over 32,000 jobs and 26,400 new homes, with 25% of these homes being affordable.

“Through the plan, we are promoting sustainable transport, with a target for 75% of journeys to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2030. 

“We are supporting low-carbon developments and protecting Cardiff’s open spaces and green infrastructure, while enhancing biodiversity and building resilient communities. This will further enhance Cardiff as a sustainable city and help combat the ongoing threat from climate change.”

In light of the consultation, which gathered over 1,000 representations, Mr De’Ath also said: “After careful consideration, the council has decided that no major changes are needed to the Deposit Plan and only minor edits are required to improve clarity and reflect updated information received.”

At a meeting on 20 November, cabinet members agreed that the plan should be forwarded to the council for final approval and then submitted to the Welsh government and planning inspectorate.