The proposed development, that will be delivered through a collaboration between Cardiff Council and national developer Wates Residential as part of the Cardiff Living programme and  create around 235 homes on the site of the former Michaelston Community College in Ely, has been approved by Planning Committee.

The new development seeks to promote independent living with a focus on health and wellbeing. Cardiff Council and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board have been working together to propose a range of spaces for the local community, to enable better delivery of services in the area.

With a focus on building new homes for older people with 107 Community Living apartments for rent from the Council, the development also includes a mixture of 128 homes for other age-groups that will be for sale on the open market. 

The scheme will be vibrant and characterful, boasting a fully accessible neighbourhood with the aim of encouraging social interaction and promoting a healthy lifestyle. A new medical centre, new community hub with multi-purpose rooms, a cafe and an agile working space will be at the heart of the scheme at a central plaza that is well-connected to the housing on site.

High-quality outdoor spaces will feature throughout, including a sports area, community gardens, allotments and the retention and enhancement of the existing wooded areas. Green infrastructure and sustainable urban drainage form an integral part of the scheme’s design.

Full planning permission was granted by Planning Committee yesterday (Nov 7) for these aspects of the wellbeing village while outline planning permission was approved for nine adult supported living flats and a children’s respite centre.

A council spokesperson said: “Michaelston Wellbeing Village is one of the most exciting schemes within our housing development programme, delivering much needed, affordable housing for older people as well as new homes for sale in the area.

“These new homes will provide better access to health services, open spaces and community facilities for residents, complementing existing amenities nearby and supporting older people to stay active and connected in their community.

“We’re making very good progress against our ambition to deliver 4,000 new homes for the city, to help deal with unprecedented housing pressures and the Michaelston scheme forms an important part of that overall plan.”

Stuart Jones, Regional Development Director | Wates Residential, said: “At Wates, we reimagine places for people to thrive. We are very proud of our work with Cardiff Council through the Cardiff Living programme, creating thriving communities across the city.

“This new wellbeing village – the city’s first – represents another milestone in our partnership, and we look forward to creating another vibrant community supporting the wellbeing of all residents.”