Ambitious plans for Caerphilly County Borough Council to develop new homes on two sites have been endorsed by its Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee, during a remote meeting held on 10th February.
Scrutiny members endorsed, in principle, proposals to create a flagship mixed tenure development on the site of the former Oakdale Comprehensive School and an innovative later living scheme on the former Ty Darran care home site in Risca.
The council has already carried out feasibility studies to assess the suitability of the brownfield site in Oakdale and a planning application has been submitted. If approved, the development would be the first of its kind for the council in offering open market sales, alongside affordable and social housing.
A planning application has also been submitted for the former Ty Darran site. The proposed new later living building will be designed with high levels of energy efficiency to reduce tenants’ bills, whilst also reducing carbon emissions. It will also boast spacious apartments, with lift access to all floors.
If approved, the development will include a range of communal areas that can be used for a variety of organised activities and events. Apartments will also feature personal outdoor spaces, such as balconies, along with accessible communal garden areas.
The new scheme will be managed by the council and will be used to relocate existing tenants from schemes in the locality that have, for a number of issues, been programmed for closure.
Cllr Shayne Cook, the council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care and Housing, said “We welcome the support of Scrutiny Committee members in these proposals. Both developments offer a wealth of potential and will enable us to deliver on our commitment to deliver high quality, energy efficient, new council homes in the county borough.
“The Oakdale development offers opportunities to deliver much needed new social housing to help meet increasing demand, alongside opportunities for first time buyers to get onto the property ladder through low-cost home ownership.
“Our exciting plans for the former Ty Darran site will see the development of a new facility unlike any of our existing sheltered housing accommodation; with high energy efficiency levels, and flexible communal and outdoor spaces offering increased opportunities to improve tenants’ health and wellbeing.
“We will ensure local communities are kept updated as plans for both sites progress.”
