A 'wellbeing village' with hundreds of new homes, community facilities and green spaces could be built on the site of a former Cardiff secondary school, according to council plans. The proposed redevelopment of the former Michaelston College site in Ely will see 265 new homes built, as well as a community hub, public gardens and a café.
A planning application is set to be submitted for the new development having held three consultation events with the local community. If the proposals are ultimately granted planning permission, work to regenerate the site could begin as early as next spring.
Michaelston College closed in 2017, with the school replaced by Cardiff West Community High School alongside Glyn Derw High School. The site of the former college off Michaelston Road has remained vacant ever since but is set to be transformed completely if plans are approved.
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The development, proposed by the council and Wates Residential, aims to "promote health and wellbeing" and is focused on creating new homes for older people, within a mixed-age community. Of the 265 homes being built, 107 will be council apartments for older people, while 158 will be sold to families, older people and first time buyers.
Under the plans, a local hub and community centre will also be built, with this new building also including a café, multi-use games area and "flexible community space". A gateway plaza into the development will provide "a vibrant public space" where "people can sit, meet friends, enjoy refreshments and socialise," according to the proposal.
Green space is also at the centre of the proposals, with wooded areas and community gardens also included. As well as 'The Green', a space designed to protect the existing mature trees on the site, gardens, allotments and play areas will also be developed, as well as the 'Wild Wood', which is hoped to promote nature walks.
A 'hillside walk' route is also included in the plans, with a new route set to be formed between the new plaza and St Fagans CW Primary School to allow children to safely walk to school and play on the hillside.
Space on the site is also being considered for potential new health centre, while the creation of new walking and cycling routes to improve access to local facilities has also been suggested.
The council held its first community engagement event regarding the proposals in December 2021, with the third and final event taking place on February 28. Plans will now be submitted for consideration by the Local Planning Authority.
If the plans are approved, the council and developers expect work to start on the site next year, with late spring or early summer suggested as a possible commencement date.
It comes as the council's planning committee considers a planning application for the construction of thousands of new homes in the capital. If approved, the proposed development on land south of the M4 between Lisvane, Pontprennau and Cyncoed will see 2,500 new homes built, as well as a primary school, land for a secondary school, employment land and a district centre which will have shops and spaces for leisure and community use. You can read more about those plans here.
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