Events

Development of Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay - Igloo Regeneration Ltd

City and metropolitan areas award commendation 2011

Summary

The large scale, mixed use redevelopment of a deprived area of Cardiff by a developer specialising in developing sustainable urban neighbourhoods, using socially responsible investments.

Background

Porth Teigr is the latest area of Cardiff Bay to be developed. It became derelict with the decline of activity in Cardiff Port for 14 years. It was severely contaminated. Igloo Regeneration Ltd was awarded the contract for its redevelopment after the area had been acquired compulsorily by the Welsh Development Agency.

Project description

The adopted local plan identified the area for redevelopment and it was agreed that a mixed use scheme was preferable. Working closely with the Welsh Government and the local community Cardiff City Council prepared a masterplan for a mixed use scheme which provided for both horizontal and vertical integration of the mixed use. The masterplan was used flexibly.

The developers have been determined to give this area a unique and distinctive feel, enhancing the area and Cardiff Bay. The early focus has been the erection of the new Roath Lock Studios Drama Production Centre for the BBC supported by the Welsh Government Centre for Creative Industries. The next phase will involve the erection of some 1,100 new homes, 25% of which will be affordable. New lock crossings have provided public access to an area from which they were previously prohibited.

Planning achievement

All buildings are to BREEAM outstanding and the green tariff will save 100 tonnes of CO2. A combined heat and power plant is included;
The redevelopment has and will continue to provide employment opportunities to a severely deprived ward of Cardiff. This is supplemented by the creation of a number of apprenticeships;
This is an exciting scheme which addresses the development of derelict and contaminated land with important new developments which benefit the local area and Cardiff as a whole.