DEVELOPERS behind plans for new flats in Cardiff have appealed the city council’s decision to refuse them over flooding concerns.
Cardiff Council’s planning committee voted to refuse the plans for new flats at Radyr Court Close, Llandaff, at a meeting in January 2025.
A reduction in amenity space that would result from the development and its proposed location in a flood risk area were the main concerns councillors had about it.
Council planners, who recommended the approval of the scheme, argued that the risk of flooding was not made worse by the site and that the development would provide much needed housing.
An appeal statement written on behalf Wales and West Housing also argues that the proposed eight flats would deliver housing in the face of “acute shortfalls” and that open space lost as a result of the development would be compensated.
It states: “While it is acknowledged that each development must balance all material planning considerations, it is important to note that the housing supply shortage within the authority is highly critical.
“This fact has been acknowledged by Cardiff Council’s Housing Team and the previous Appeal Inspector.
“In the case of Llandaff, it is clear from the evidence presented in this appeal that there has been a consistent failure to meet housing delivery targets and the situation to provide new affordable homes is not looking promising.”
On the risk of flooding, the appeal statement added: “The matter of flood risk has been thoroughly evaluated, and it has been confirmed that the site can accommodate eight dwellings without increasing the risk of flooding to new nor existing occupiers.
“The site has been assessed against the criteria of TAN15, and has undergone a careful sequential approach to site selection, ensuring that it aligns with the objectives of the Planning Policy Wales and the Local Development Plan.”
One Cardiff Council planning committee member said earlier this year that he feared residents would be “living in a moat” if Wales & West’s plans went ahead.
Cllr Michael Michael added at the time: “I think this is one of the few places in this city that we shouldn’t be touching unless we fix the flood defences.”
Cardiff Council ward member for Llandaff, Cllr Sean Driscoll, said his and residents’ concerns were based on the area’s past experience with flooding.
He said in January: “You [the planning committee] have already determined last month overwhelmingly, having seen the report, that you are not happy putting families at risk or at times living behind a moat.
“Every time we have a prolonged downpour, families living here… have had the river creep into their homes in the dead of night destroying their possessions.
“People who would occupy these would not want to experience that.”
