Cardiff Council Plans to Buy 102 Affordable Homes from Developer Wates

A bold move to tackle housing shortages: Cardiff's latest deal could transform access to affordable homes. But will it deliver long-term value for taxpayers?

, and Administrator

2026 May 2 . 5:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows a building with boarded up windows and a sign on the side of it that reads... — The image shows a building with boarded up windows and a sign on the side of it that reads "Affordable Housing". There are stairs with railings leading up to the building, and a road at the bottom of the image.

Cardiff Council Plans to Buy 102 Affordable Homes from Developer Wates

Cardiff City Council has agreed in principle to purchase 102 homes from developer Wates. The move aims to increase the number of affordable properties available to residents across the city. Officials will now carry out due diligence before finalising the deal. The proposed acquisition includes a mix of houses and flats in several areas. Among them are 11 houses on Llandudno Road in Rumney and 30 two-bedroom flats in Briardean, North Road. Additionally, the council plans to buy 28 four-bedroom houses in Willowbrook, St. Mellons, as well as 33 properties in Highfields, Heath.

The council intends to use these homes either as council housing or for assisted home ownership schemes. The decision follows ongoing uncertainty in the housing market, partly driven by the impact of Covid-19 on demand for new properties.

Before completing the purchase, the council will assess the potential benefits for residents, taxpayers, and the local authority itself. This evaluation will help determine whether the deal provides long-term value for the community. If approved, the acquisition will add 102 new homes to Cardiff’s affordable housing stock. The council will allocate them based on local housing needs and eligibility criteria. Final confirmation of the purchase remains subject to further financial and legal checks.