Hafod and partners Lovell, Cardiff Council and Welsh Government have officially marked construction work commencing on a brand-new development on the former Lansdowne Hospital site in Canton, Cardiff.
Situated off Sanatorium Road, the £24 million development is being built by Lovell as a design and build scheme for Hafod.
In total, the site will consist of 106 energy efficient homes, including 44 two, three and four-bedroom houses and 62 one and two-bedroom apartments split over three buildings.
Work on the site is expected to be completed in summer 2025. The project will create many training and employment opportunities, including 10 apprenticeships and 200 work experience hours for local people.
Gemma Clissett, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: “At Lovell, we pride ourselves on transforming brownfield sites into vibrant new communities, and we are delighted that work is now underway to regenerate the former Lansdowne Hospital. This development will revitalise the 100-year-old, fire-damaged hospital site, and provide local people with much needed housing and sustainable public spaces, as well as boost the local economy.
“As signatories of the Placemaking Wales Charter, we put placemaking and people at the heart of our work, and are committed to delivering a high-quality development that promotes happiness, health and wellbeing.
“We are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with Hafod, Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, and to be breathing a new lease of life into this derelict site.”
Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, said “We have pledged to deliver 20,000 additional homes for rent in the social sector this government term and these much needed homes will contribute towards the achievement of this target. I am pleased that we have been able to support their delivery with Social Housing Grant of £16.5m.
“This is an excellent example of the strong partnership and collaboration which exists between Welsh Government and the social housing sector demonstrating what is possible when we all work together to regenerate areas like Lansdowne Hospital.”
Neil Taylor, Head of Development at Hafod, said: “At Hafod, we believe in building communities and making connections. We do this by developing homes in great locations, alongside responsible developers like Lovell.
“The 106 homes being created at the former Lansdowne Hospital site, will provide much needed affordable housing in the area. The brownfield site is making way for energy efficient homes that are built to high standards and are affordable to live in for our customers.
“Building homes that enable people to live in healthy, safe, and vibrant environments is key to Hafod’s development ambitions. We’re delighted to be working alongside our partners Cardiff Council, Welsh Government and Lovell to see the plans come to life.”
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Cardiff Council, said: “There is a severe shortage of good quality, affordable homes in the city and the council is exploring all opportunities to help tackle current housing pressures, including working with our housing associations partners to help bring forward new developments.
“We’re really pleased to be supporting with Lovell and Hafod to bring new affordable housing to Canton, which will help tackle the very high demand we’re experiencing.”