Work has begun to transform the site of a former Caerphilly borough school into a flagship housing development.
This week Caerphilly County Borough Council celebrated the official ‘groundbreaking’ on the former Oakdale Comprehensive School site. The development will be the first of its kind for the Council in offering open market sales, alongside affordable housing.
The Council has appointed construction expert Willmott Dixon to develop 92 eco homes on the ‘Oakdale Place’ site. The development is being part funded by Welsh Government and work is anticipated to be completed in around Spring 2026.
Leader of Caerphilly Council, Cllr Sean Morgan, said “Last year we made a commitment, as a Council, to build 1,000 affordable, low caron homes over the next 10 years. As we break ground, on what is a groundbreaking development for Caerphilly, we see that promise being delivered.
“As well as providing high-quality homes that are affordable to run, our vision for Oakdale Place is to create a sustainable community where people choose to live. We’re also committed to ensuring the significant investment being made delivers much wider benefits and leaves a legacy for local communities; our partnership with Willmott Dixon is vital to achieving this.”
Cllr Shayne Cook, Cabinet Member for Housing, added “As the national housing crisis continues, there is a struggle to build homes quickly enough to meet demand. So we recognise that we need to think differently as a Council and find innovative ways to provide homes for those that need them.
“Oakdale Place is an excellent example of this, by taking an unused brownfield site and transforming it into a community of energy efficient homes that, as well as helping meet increasing demand for social housing, will also offer opportunities for first time buyers get onto the property ladder through low-cost home ownership, in addition to open market sales.”
Ian Jones, Director at Willmott Dixon said, “Our partnership with Caerphilly County Borough Council dates back to 2019, with the Oakdale project marking the third collaborative project between us. Both Willmott Dixon and Caerphilly share a commitment to quality over cost, showcasing our dedication to innovative and value-driven practices. As part of our commitment, we are once again pleased to be working with local manufacturer ‘Caledan’ to Design and Construct the properties using a cutting-edge steel-frame panelised solution. The construction standards at Oakdale promise modern, comfortable housing that prioritises resident comfort and environmental sustainability. We are proud to deliver this project, which will continue to benefit and serve the Caerphilly community.”
