SWANSEA Council will build 156 affordable homes in Bonymaen after plans for its largest housebuilding scheme in decades were unanimously approved.
Councillors on the planning committee gave the project on four plots of land by Brokesby Road the green light after hearing from a planning officer, a planning agent and Bonymaen councillor Mandy Evans.
“This is massive for us,” said Cllr Evans of the development. She said the opportunity of low-cost homes should not be missed, and that there had always been a promise to rebuild properties that were demolished on part of the land many years ago.
The scheme will include 26 four-bedroom homes, which Cllr Evans said was particularly welcome given their shortage in the area. “We’ve got big families who are struggling – struggling to live a decent life,” she said.
Cllr Evans said she understood the concerns that had been raised by some residents about the plans but she was happy with the responses provided. “I love Bonymaen, I’m always going to live there, it’s a precious community,” she said.
The planning officer said two of the plots of land were generally public space, while a third was partly overgrown. The fourth, he said, lacked public access and was used for keeping horses.
The four sites are not allocated for residential development in the council’s planning blueprint for Swansea – and included among the 21 objections submitted to the council was concern about loss of open space. The council, however, concluded that Bonymaen already had a sufficient amount of open space elsewhere, and that open spaces would also be provided as part of the new scheme. “It is considered that the principle of development is acceptable,” said the planning officer.
In addition to the 26 four-bed homes there’ll be 56 three-bed properties, 54 two-beds – including 12 bungalows – and 20 one-bed flats. They’ll have a brick exterior in the main, and all of them will be energy-efficient. The planning officer said some existing trees will be retained and that 29 trees which were earmarked for removal would be replaced by 140 new ones. There’ll also be a pedestrian and cycle path linking the four plots of land which would also serve Pentrechwyth Primary School.
Welsh Water advised, however, that there was insufficient capacity at present to supply the 156 homes with water. A condition has therefore been attached to the planning approval requiring a modelling assessment and potential upgrade work to be carried out to ensure this was rectified. In addition, a formal right of way within the development site will need to be diverted.
Planning agent Phil Baxter, speaking in favour of the application, said the scheme had been refined during 18 months of discussions and that it was the largest one brought forward by the authority. “It is very important for the council,” he said.
The council’s education service has requested a £1.28 million from the housing department to increase capacity at Pentrechwyth primary and nearby Cefn Hengoed Community School. A smaller part of the sum would be for post-16 provision.
Cllr Peter Black asked how this £1.28 million request would work, given that it couldn’t be enforced through a normal legal agreement between a developer and a planning authority because – in this instance – the council was both. The officer said Cllr Black was correct, and that the eduction contribution would need to negotiated between housing and education. “We can’t insist on a certain amount through the planning process,” he said.
Speaking after the committee meeting, deputy council leader Andrea Lewis said: “This is major step forward in our aims of creating more affordable housing in the city, adding to our existing housing stock. We have thousands of people on our waiting lists, some of whom are at risk of being homeless and we are committed to doing all we can to prevent this from happening.
“Previously, we presented some initial concept plans of how the new housing development could look. Residents took part in early consultation which helped shape a detailed masterplan.”
Nick Ellis, associate architect at BDP, which has worked with the council on the proposals, said energy costs would be low for occupants of the new homes.
He added: “There is strong emphasis on creating outdoor public spaces and play areas to bring people together and provide the opportunity to connect with nature.”
