Riscs: Plans to demolish Ty Darran care home for over-55s apartments

Derelict former Ty Darran care home, Risca

Senior councillors have backed an application to build a “flagship later living development” in Risca.

Plans to demolish Ty Darran care home, which closed more than a decade ago, and replace it with 46 affordable apartments for over-55s were discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 23.

The plans include a communal garden, allotments, and shared spaces which will be used for coffee mornings, yoga classes, watching sports or art classes.

Cllr Ross Whiting, Cabinet Member for Learning and Leisure, and ward councillor for Risca West, said the development would be “life-changing” for future residents.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

All apartments will have one-bedroom and will be “fully accessible”. Some will have an extra room to be used as a study to accommodate those working from home.

The design and access statement, prepared by Pentan Architects on behalf of the council, states that every apartment will have “natural light” and access to an outdoor space.

Former cafe could be demolished to make way for flats

The statement describes the Ty Darran site as an “ideal location” for housing for the over-55s. It describes the area as “highly sustainable” due to nearby shops, healthcare services, and public transport.

The development includes 19 car parking spaces with a minimum of two electric car charging points.

Cllr Shayne Cook, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Housing, described the proposed accommodation as “innovative”, while Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member for Waste, Public Protection and Street Scene, said it was a “great opportunity for Risca and the lower Sirhowy Valley”.

This project will contribute to the council’s goal of building 400 new affordable zero carbon homes by 2025.

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Property, said the development was an example of the Labour administration’s commitment to tackling climate change.

The outline planning application was submitted by Caerphilly Homes to the council’s planning department in December, with a decision set to be made by the council’s planning committee on March 23.

The outline planning application means that the design, access and place making aspects of the scheme are yet to be finalised.

A detailed application will be submitted by the summer.

The council has not yet received funding for the development, although it was included in its Programme Development Plan (PDP) 2021/22 application to the Welsh Government.

Jaggery

Care home demolition to make way for flats backed by senior councillors

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