Work to transform a former high school site in the east of the city into more than 200 new homes for Cardiff is now complete.
All 214 homes at Aspen Grove, the largest site in phase 2 of the Council’s Cardiff Living programme with national developer Wates Group, have now been built, creating an attractive and modern new community for residents at the development off Newport Road, Rumney.
The highly-innovative development, that has scooped national awards for its sustainability, climate resilience and low carbon footprint, is a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, including 65 new council homes and 149 properties built for sale on the open market.
The Cardiff Living partnership, which will have created 1,700 new homes for the city by the end of its 10 year lifespan, has worked with Cardiff-based sustainable energy services company, Sero, to incorporate low carbon technologies into the development and Monmouthshire Building Society who are providing a ‘green mortgage’ product for home buyers.
The homes have been designed to the Cardiff Living Design Standard – the Council’s high benchmark which focuses on carbon reduction, energy efficiency and design quality at its heart, creating homes for the future that promote place-making and sustainable communities.
Both council and private homes incorporate ground source heat pumps, PV panels, battery storage, electric vehicle charging points and Intelligent Energy Systems.
A focal point of the development is the four-storey Addison House – the first of the Council’s new Community Living Schemes to be completed, providing 44 apartments for older people that promote independent living.
Supported by Welsh Government’s Housing Care Fund, the apartments have been built to the highest standard, with on-site facilities including communal lounges, gardens, roof terrace and medical room.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “Aspen Grove is looking wonderful. I am very proud of the homes we are creating across the city with our partners Wates and this groundbreaking development is no different – modern, spacious homes with hi-tech features that offer residents the opportunity to make significant savings on their energy bills.
“Cardiff Living is continuing to deliver new council homes across the city, playing an integral part in our wider council homes development programme. At a time of unprecedented demand for good quality, affordable homes, we are committed to plans for more than 4,000 new homes for the city in coming years.”
Chris Parks, Project Director – Wates Residential, said: “We are delighted to see Aspen Grove complete. At Wates, we reimagine places for people to thrive – and Aspen Grove is a prime example of this. These high-quality, sustainable new homes built in friendly communities highlight what the future of development should look like, providing much-needed new homes while protecting our shared spaces and our planet.”
James Williams, CEO & Co-Founder of Sero added: “Aspen Grove is a fantastic example of how we can build and deliver sustainable communities. It’s been brilliant to support Cardiff Council and Wates in this project, and to help residents make the most of the renewable technologies in their homes.”
