A multi-million pound transformation of shopping and community facilities in Llanedeyrn has been completed.
The Maelfa Regeneration Scheme has revitalised the local area and delivered a modern, new shopping centre, affordable new homes, better road infrastructure and parking and public realm improvements. Phase 1 was completed in late 2019 and Phase 2 is also now complete.
The comprehensive transformation of the area has been delivered by the Council and its development partners, Cardiff Community Housing Association, and has included the demolition of the old, under-occupied 1970s shopping centre and the construction of nine new shops, 40 flats and 16 townhouses. All nine shops are now occupied.
In addition to this scheme, the Maelfa flats 10-storey tower block has also been refurbished, with improved access to the building for residents, new windows and colourful balconies and cleaning to the external brickwork to tie in with the surrounding redevelopment.
Regeneration work in Llanedeyrn is still taking place with a new partnership Health and Wellbeing Hub being built and adjoined to the Council’s Powerhouse Community Hub. The first phase of this will be complete next month, with the opening of a new fit-for-purpose Multi Use Games Area for young people. Future schemes including a new older persons living block on the site behind the Maelfa flats are also in the pipeline.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The new Maelfa is looking wonderful. The old shopping centre was past its sell-by date, a drain on resources and just not fit for purpose anymore so I’m delighted we have been able to deliver such fantastic new facilities.
“We’re very grateful for the patience of the local community and businesses during the last few years, who continued trading and living throughout the phased development of the scheme.
“The regeneration of the local area is about much more than the shopping centre though. The new Health and Wellbeing hub will be an excellent community asset and I’m very pleased with the works to the tower block too.”
Dharmesh Patel of Jay’s News, said: “Our new shop unit give our business a much more visible presence in the community, and a greatly improved environment in which our customers can shop.”
