Cardiff Council is taking a major step to address the city's housing crisis by moving to purchase key plots of land at a significant city centre development. Councillors will this week debate a proposal to buy land at the Central Quay site, the ongoing transformation of the former Brains Brewery, with the potential to deliver hundreds of new homes.
Acquisition Plan for Affordable Housing
The local authority has confirmed that developer Rightacres is selling the freehold for five plots at the Penarth Road site. Cardiff Council aims to acquire this land to facilitate the construction of a substantial number of new homes, with a strong emphasis on affordability. The proposal outlines a mixed development that could include council housing and privately rented accommodation offered at more accessible rates.
If the Labour-run cabinet approves the plan in a meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, detailed feasibility work will commence. This study will determine the precise mix, type, and final number of homes achievable on the plots. Council papers indicate the opportunity could yield between 500 and 730 new residences.
Tackling a Declared Housing Emergency
This initiative is a direct response to the "housing emergency" officially declared by the council in December 2023. While the authority reports "significant progress" towards its housing targets, it acknowledges that severe pressures persist, particularly within the private rented sector where availability is limited and costs are high.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Lynda Thorne, stated: "This acquisition represents our ongoing commitment to increasing the availability of affordable housing, ensuring that our city remains resilient in the face of the housing emergency." She highlighted the particular promise of the Central Quay opportunity to provide privately rented homes at more affordable prices, subject to the viability studies.
Next Steps and Confidential Assessments
The report going before councillors notes that this chance to purchase the land is a new development. A number of high-level viability assessments have already been conducted, modelling a blend of social rented and private rented units. However, key documents detailing costs and feasibility remain confidential.
The council's position is clear: if delivering private rented units proves unfeasible, the base plan will be to proceed with building social rented homes across all the plots. Securing development opportunities like Central Quay is stated as a priority to maintain momentum in delivering affordable homes and supporting city communities.
Cllr Thorne concluded: "Our housing services continue to experience severe pressures. Securing new development opportunities like Central Quay is a priority to ensure we maintain momentum in delivering affordable homes, supporting families and communities across the city."
