Channel View Transformation Reaches New Heights
Cardiff Council and partner developer Wates Residential have celebrated the topping out of a new block of Independent Living apartments, part of the regeneration of the Channel View estate in Grangetown.
The highest point in the construction of Block B, which will deliver 24 highly energy-efficient council homes for older people, has now been reached and the apartments are expected to be ready for residents next year.
At six storeys high, Block B is one of two blocks being built, with the support of Welsh Government's Social Housing Grant, in Phase 1 of the wider Channel View redevelopment. The blocks will provide 126 accessible and adaptable council apartments for older people as a direct replacement for the existing tower block on the estate. Block A, which will consist of 102 Community Living apartments, extensive community facilities, a rooftop terrace and café, is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne were joined by Regional Managing Director for Wales, Wates Residential, Edward Rees at the topping out event.
Cllr Thomas said:
'This is an important step forward in the Channel View redevelopment. Block B reaching its highest point brings us closer to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of older residents in our city.
'The stunning views we've enjoyed at the top of the block today are a small preview of the outlook across the river and bay that new residents will be able to appreciate from their rooftop terrace before too long.
'It's encouraging to see the progress being made on a project that will not only improve housing but also enhance the wider community through better public spaces and connectivity.'
Cllr Thorne said:
'Channel View is the largest and most exciting holistic estate redevelopment in the whole of our housing development programme, that has the capacity to deliver 4,000 new homes for the city.
'I've been watching the concrete frame of Block B steadily rise from the ground over the past few months and it's great to reach this new milestone with the highest point of Block B.'
Regional Managing Director for Wales, Wates Residential, Edward Rees, said:
'Reaching this milestone is a proud moment and brings real excitement as we move closer to welcoming residents into their new homes. Every detail has been considered to create comfortable, secure and independent living for those moving in.
'Block B is just the beginning. Together with Cardiff Council, we're shaping a neighbourhood that feels open, connected and full of life, with green spaces and shared places that people can enjoy and be proud of.'
The overall Channel View redevelopment will be delivered across a number of phases, with around 180 existing properties built in the 1970s being replaced by up to 400 new mixed tenure, low carbon homes for the existing community.
The regeneration will also deliver better connectivity for the estate and wider community, improvements to the public open space at The Marl, and the creation of well-managed, attractive public realm using green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly residents to separate their recycling from 2027
This will be from late 2027 to early 2028. The council hopes to boost recycling rates and exceed Welsh Government targets. A report proposes several changes as part of the council's Waste and Recycling Strategy. These align with the Welsh Government's collections 'blueprint'. The changes will be considered by councillors in the coming weeks. Proposals include introducing new containers for the 'blueprint' recycling service, reducing non-recyclable waste collection to every three weeks, and implementing seasonal, fortnightly garden waste collections. There will also be a separate, weekly Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collection service. Caerphilly is currently falling short of Welsh Government recycling targets and risks fines unless recycling increases. The changes will see residents shift from brown wheelie bins to re-useable bags and a box for separating recyclable materials. This could involve five separate receptacles: a bag for cardboard, a bag for metal, cans, foil, and cartons, a bag for paper, a caddy for food waste, and a box for glass. Councillor Chris Morgan, the cabinet member responsible for waste and recycling, said: "Our current system, whilst convenient for residents, is not the most efficient way to maximise our recycling rates and we often experience problems with recycling bins being contaminated. "Separating items such as glass, paper and cans into separate receptacles is much more effective and bring us in line with many other neighbouring local authorities who are already seeing positive impacts on their recycling rates." The report will be looked at by the Housing and Environment Scrutiny Committee on June 17 before a cabinet meeting makes a final decision in July. The full details of the report are available on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website.
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Senedd votes against ban on solar farms on Welsh farmland
Janet Finch-Saunders said hundreds of acres of agricultural land across Wales will otherwise be switched from a focus on food production to electricity generation. The shadow climate secretary accused UK and Welsh ministers of turning the countryside into 'meadows of metal and glass' by approving "huge, controversial' developments Leading a Conservative debate, Ms Finch-Saunders called for a moratorium on all applications to place solar panels on agricultural land. She said: 'Such a pause will enable this parliament to develop a solar strategy for Wales, looking at where we want those panels to be placed and where they are made.' Criticising plans for solar on Anglesey, she told the Senedd: 'I think we're quite united on these monstrosities; these huge schemes are not what are in the interests of Wales.' Plaid Cymru's Luke Fletcher supported the principle but called for a nuanced approach, describing the Conservative motion as 'too blunt" and warning of unfair consequences. He said: 'If an individual farmer wanted to install a modest number of solar panels on their own land, perhaps to power their farm, cut emissions or generate a little extra income, they'd be prevented from doing so. Now, that simply doesn't make sense.' Peter Fox, the Tory council leader-turned-Senedd member, warned of a lack of a national solar strategy to guide investment, regulation and grid integration. He urged the Welsh Government to look at more innovative options, such as the rooftops of public buildings, rather than 'needlessly building over good farmland throughout Wales'. Mr Fox, a farmer, said: 'We cannot simply sell parts of Wales's natural beauty off to the highest bidder, for it to be used simply as an investment.' Rebecca Evans, responding for the Welsh Government, said solar plays an important part in an ambition to host enough green energy to meet electricity consumption by 2035. Ms Evans argued national planning policy already includes a 'clear commitment' to protecting agricultural land when considering applications. Senedd members voted 23-13 against the Tory motion, with 10 abstaining. The Welsh Government's 'delete-all' amendment was also defeated, 24-23.
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Wales Online
Dozens of Cardiff school budgets are heading into the red — and some can't get out
Dozens of Cardiff school budgets are heading into the red — and some can't get out The number of schools setting deficit budgets in Cardiff has increased over the years and now, council officials predict that number will rise again The number of schools setting deficits in Cardiff is expected to increase again (Image: Getty Images ) The number of schools expected to set deficit budgets in Cardiff has increased again, with some having been in the red for consecutive years. Cardiff Council's children and young people scrutiny committee was told at a meeting on Tuesday, June 10, that the local authority currently expected 55 schools to apply to be in deficit by March 31, 2026. In 2023-24, 38 schools in Cardiff set deficit budgets and in the following year that figure rose to 46. Of the 55 expected to set deficit budgets by March, 2026, 45 are primary schools, nine are secondary schools and one is a special needs school. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Increasing financial pressure is one of a number of growing issues schools have faced since the Covid-19 pandemic. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: "We are all aware of the challenges that are actually facing our schools at the moment. Article continues below "There are things that come out of Covid, but whether that is coincidence or... a direct consequence I think is something we are still finding our way [through]. "We know there are challenges around attendance, growing additional learning needs... and of course we have had families that have faced a long period of financial issues and that also plays out in our schools. "All of those represent challenges that our school leaders face up to but... we actually have factors like falling numbers in primary schools playing out at the same time." According to Cardiff Council data, seven schools in the city have been in deficit for three consecutive years, 22 have been in deficit for two consecutive years and 15 have been in deficit for one year. The local authority's head of finance, Ian Allwood said the council was still in conversation with schools ahead of next year's budget setting process and the figure for those expected to set deficits could change. He went on to say there were a number of reasons schools were having to set deficits, including the increasing complexity of children's needs, uncertainty in the level of funding that would be available and the pressure of delivering educational outcomes with less money. Cardiff Council has a protocol for schools in deficit, which allows it to have oversight on how schools are managing against their financial targets. It is also aimed at getting the council and schools to work together on developing a financial plan. A Conservative member of the children and young people scrutiny committee, Cllr Calum Davies, said: "If you look at the number of schools in deficit over the last few years, they have obviously increased. I think they have nearly doubled in about two or three years. "If that is happening and... [if] most of the schools that are in deficit have been in deficit for more than three years, is that protocol working? Mr Allwood answered: "I wouldn't say it's not working, but in terms of the deficit protocol... [it] is when you have applied to be in deficit and have agreed to be in deficit. "You have signed up to a way of working with the local authority in terms of reporting regimes, what you need to inform the local authority of." The council officer went on to add: "We are trusting the schools and the schools are trusting the local authorities and we are working together. "If I go back to where the deficit protocol was six or seven years ago, it was a lot more strict... I wouldn't say trust was necessarily there between the local authority and the schools. "We have to do that because it is a challenges that schools are not necessarily going to get out of on their own." Some of the other cost pressures facing schools include teachers' pay, the cost of managing school buildings and carrying out repairs, utility costs and the cost of supply teachers and agency staff. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, Cllr Chris Weaver, said: "We recognise the challenges that schools face. "I sit on two governing bodies and the school budget forum... and its something we discuss through the year as well as in budget setting. Article continues below "Schools, alongside children's and adult services over the last many years... have made up the bulk of the area that has received the extra cash that this council has had to find for services."
