Lovell, with a regional head office in Cardiff, was selected as the preferred developer earlier this year to deliver the large-scale programme, which will consist of around 2,500 new homes, provided over 25 developments and constructed over the next 10 years.
At least 50 per cent of the homes will be affordable properties available via social rent or Shared Ownership, and the remainder will be open market sale homes.
Construction work on the first project under the partnership is due to commence in December 2025, with the first properties due for occupation towards the end of 2026.
This project is Cardiff Council’s second housing programme, following the award-winning Cardiff Living scheme, and forms part of its wider development plans to deliver more than 4,000 new homes in the city.
Whilst this is the first major housing partnership for the Vale of Glamorgan, the Council has an ambitious development programme and has successfully delivered over 300 new homes for social rent in the last five years. The Cardiff and Vale housing partnership will increase the scale and pace of the Councils’ housing delivery, in response to the current housing crisis, alongside its more traditional housing development programme.
James Duffett, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “Completing contracts on such a significant residential programme is an incredibly proud moment for us at Lovell, and the beginning of what will be a very rewarding 10-year partnership. Cardiff has been our home for many years and this major investment by both Councils will be genuinely transformative.
“Working collaboratively with partners to deliver high-quality new homes and great places to live is in our DNA. We built our first partnerships development in South Wales over 40 years ago, and ever since we have been focused on forming long-lasting partnerships and regenerating brownfield sites into sustainable, vibrant communities where people can live and work.
“We are very excited to be bringing this ethos to the Cardiff and Vale housing project, and to work closely with Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver every development to the highest standards. As well as providing thousands of new energy efficient homes, we will be creating hundreds of new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for local people, and we can’t wait to get started.”
Cllr Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities on Cardiff Council, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lovell and Vale of Glamorgan Council on this ambitious housing programme. This project marks a major step forward in our commitment to deliver high-quality, affordable homes for the people in Cardiff.
“By collaborating with experienced partners, we are not only creating new homes but also investing in vibrant, sustainable communities and providing opportunities for local people. The completion of these contracts is a significant milestone, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have across the region for years to come.”
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “This is an exciting partnership arrangement that will see a large number of houses delivered across Cardiff and the Vale.
“They will be energy efficient and built sustainably, which aligns perfectly with the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Project Zero Commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“A large proportion will also be council homes, following on from previous house-building schemes to meet growing demand for this type of property.”
Cllr Sandra Perkes, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Public Sector Housing and Tenant Engagement, said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council recently completed work on a council-housing development on Hayeswood Road in Barry, which came after the delivery of similar projects Llys Llechwedd Jenner, Lon y Felin Wynt and Clos Holm View.
“We are committed to providing everyone with safe, modern places to live and this partnership will help us realise that aim.”
Lovell is already in partnership with Cardiff Council to deliver the St Mellons Community Living Project, which is providing high-quality, independent living accommodation for older people. The £17.2m development will consist of a total of 60 one and two-bedroom, self-contained apartments for social rent and a wide range of communal facilities.
Back row, Sarah McGill (Corporate Director People and Communities, Cardiff Council), Andrew Freegard (Operational Manager - Housing Development, Vale); Cllr Thomas, Cllr Burnett, Cllr Perkes, Cllr Thorne, Helen Evans (Assistant Director, Housing and Communities, Cardiff); Dave Jaques (Assistant Director, Housing Development & Regeneration, Cardiff) Front Row: Lovell –Gemma Clissett, Mary Parsons, James Duffett, Shane Jay,
