On Thursday 26 February, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government visited the Former Lansdowne Hospital site, a development of 106 affordable homes in Cardiff.
The scheme is one of Cardiff’s largest affordable housing urban regeneration projects and is the result of a collaboration between Hafod, Lovell Partnerships, Cardiff Council, and the Welsh Government.
The visit marked a key milestone as the final 23 new homes, a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, have now been handed over. These homes will soon be transferred to Cardiff Council to provide high-quality accommodation for adults with a range of additional support needs.
Ali Salter, Director of Development at Hafod, said:
“Everyone deserves a place to call home, and at Hafod, we believe that a good home and strong community are crucial for wellbeing.
“The housing crisis in Wales is acute, and these 106 new homes represent an important step in our commitment to building 150 high‑quality, affordable homes for local people each year.
“By working closely with our partners, including the Welsh Government, we’re creating solid foundations for individuals and families to thrive as part of a vibrant, supportive community.”
Residents have already begun moving into earlier phases of the new development on Sanitorium Road, which sees a mix of family houses and apartments designed to meet local need.
The transformation of the former hospital site has been supported by £16.5 million of Welsh Government Social Housing Grant funding, with a further £15 million invested by Hafod, demonstrating a shared commitment to creating sustainable, affordable homes for the future.
Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said:
“Visiting this development and seeing the transformation of this former hospital site into a thriving community is truly inspiring. These homes will make a real difference to people’s lives – providing not just a roof over their heads, but a safe, warm, and sustainable place to call home.
“I’m proud that we were able to support this project through the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant, and seeing these 106 high-quality, affordable homes become a reality is exactly the kind of progress we want to drive across Wales.”
The homes are built to EPC A standard, following a “fabric first” approach and incorporating air source heat pump technology to help reduce energy bills for residents while minimising environmental impact.
The wider development includes sustainable urban drainage systems and enhanced landscaping to improve biodiversity and create a greener, healthier environment for the community.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Cardiff Council, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “This development is a really important addition to Cardiff’s social housing supply and a strong example of what can be achieved through partnership working.
“The former hospital site has been transformed into high-quality, energy-efficient homes that will make a real difference to people’s lives, particularly those who need additional support to live independently.
“We are committed to increasing the number of genuinely affordable homes across the city, and schemes like this help ensure residents have access to safe, sustainable housing in communities where they can thrive.”
