Developer appointed to lead Cardiff estate regeneration scheme

The council had originally planned to retain the high rise but later decided to pursue redevelopment of the entire estate, which it says is poorly designed and has had historic issues with anti-social behaviour.  

The redevelopment is intended to provide better connectivity for Channel View and surrounding communities to local facilities and transport links, improvements to local open spaces, and the creation of a more attractive public realm.

Phase one of the Channel View scheme will see Wates deliver accessible and adaptable older people’s accommodation to replace the existing tower block, as well as new communal facilities and a cafe. The contractor said the new homes would be designed to promote independent living. 

Wates is already Cardiff Council’s partner in Cardiff Living, a £500m programme that aims to deliver 1,700 homes at sites around the city, including up to 1,000 let by the local authority and hundreds more for market sale.

Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities at Cardiff Council, said the Grangetown regeneration scheme would “transform the Channel View Estate and increase the availability of good-quality, affordable housing, for which we are so desperate at the moment, as well as providing homes for sale for people who want to buy in this area at affordable prices”.

She added: “We look forward to building on that solid foundation [of the Cardiff Living programme] and delivering the new Channel View homes together over the next few years.”

Edward Rees, regional managing director for Wates’ Welsh residential business, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been successful in securing this prestigious contract to deliver this major project at Channel View, with the creation of 400 new and affordable homes for a city in desperate need of housing. 

“Channel View is a huge project and we look forward to transforming it as we work through the different phases,” he added.