Councillors have green-lit proposals to build a housing estate on the site of Caerphilly’s Catnic factory.
The 176-home scheme at Pontypandy Industrial Estate includes a mix of one-bed flats and two, three, and four-bedroom houses, and includes public open space, a multi-use games area, and parking.
The development will see Catnic’s office building and manufacturing facility demolished at the industrial site, which is off Pontygwindy Road, with the redevelopment part of a plan to move the steel construction products firm, which is owned by Tata Steel, to Dyffryn Business Park, in Ystrad Mynach.
The plans, submitted by developer Asbri, were granted by members of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday March 8.
A single letter of objection was received by the council from a resident who raised concerns over traffic congestion. However, planning officials have said there would be a reduction in traffic if the scheme were to be approved.
Cllr James Pritchard, who represents the Morgan Jones ward for Labour, backed the plans, but expressed concern over the lack of social housing in the scheme.
He told the planning meeting: “I am not here to oppose the development as the proposal is on a brownfield site. That is far more preferable than on greenfield sites.
“I am disappointed there aren’t more affordable houses included, but some residents have said that they are in favour of the development due to the mechanical sounds coming from the site under the current tenants.”
Cllr Pritchard also urged the authority to prioritise redevelopment work on the nearby PwllyPant roundabout to avoid compounding traffic issues in the area.
More house more traffic, the roads can’t cope now. Also why should we have more social housing. Private residents who will buy these houses don’t want all communities dregs living next door to them. Social houses should be on an estate all of their own
Social housing is affordable housing that can be rented by hard working people on a low income or people who have come under hard times. Are you saying people who rent their homes are less worthy than somebody who has bought their home? House prices are high and a shortage of houses will only escalate prices, most of the younger generation find it extremely difficult to get on the property ladder, so yes more affordable houses should have been included.
A better idea would be that house builders would be forced to sell some of the new houses at a reduced price to first time buyers who would in turn have resale restrictions placed upon them so that they couldn’t simply make a quick profit, they’d have to pass on the discount if and when they sold the house. House prices are ridiculously high for two reasons – homeowners greed and shortage of houses for sale, the answer is to build more houses but then folk start complaining because they don’t want new houses built in their area. I’m alright Jack I’m well up the property ladder and my house is increasing in value every day so I can sit back and watch the poor souls who can’t afford one suffer – isn’t this the attitude of most selfish homeowners today.
Edward I think you rude! Why should social housing be on an estate of their own. Just because people live in social houses, doesn’t mean they are below people who Liv in private houses. That is a very snobby comment to make! Why would it affect you, if they did build social houses on the catnics estate?