A Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCR) housing investment fund is bringing 200 much-needed new homes to the Abercanaid area of Merthyr Tydfil.
The £35m Housing Viability Gap Fund was launched in 2021 by CCR to stimulate the housing market by helping to unlock previously stalled housing sites across the region.
£3.5m of the fund has been secured for Dragon Park, Merthyr Tydfil, for works including ground remediation and associated development infrastructure. These works will unlock 200 units, of which up to 20% will be affordable homes.
The remediation works will be completed on site by November 2024 with the housing outputs due to be realised by December 2028. Remediation works will commence on site in October 2023.
The developer, Davies Homes Ltd, is a family-owned house building company that was established by Michael Davies in 1986. Since then, it has built over 2,500 homes, predominately in the South Wales Valleys. They specialise in brownfield sites where past mine workings are prevalent.
Councillor Michelle Symonds, Cabinet Member for Regenerations, Housing and Public Protection, said: “This funding is a very welcome investment in Merthyr Tydfil and will bring much-needed homes to the area.
“The main access to the site would be from the south via an upgraded existing roundabout and the road would pass around a “multifunctional open space” which is to be used for recreation, play and sustainable drainage and Davies Homes are also aiming to introduce new biodiversity habitats.
“There will be sufficient open space on the site along with active travel routes, including a path for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Matthew Davies, Managing Director of Davies Homes, said: “The collaboration with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on the Dragon Parc site has been extremely positive and will allow us to build these fantastic new homes in Abercanaid.
“The constructive partnership with both the Council and CCR has been maintained throughout, giving us the opportunity to unlock a brownfield site and bring forward another exciting residential development in Merthyr Tydfil.
“We are confident the development will be a great success and look forward to delivering this scheme and continuing our partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.”
