A former concrete pipeworks site in Pontarddulais is to make way for 55 new houses and flats. Swansea Council's planning committee unanimously approved the proposal on land north of football pitches and Coed Bach Park on the advice of officers.
Developer Hygrove Holdings will provide six affordable units out of the 55 and contribute £184,756 as an education contribution. A report before the committee said that nine rather than six affordable units would have made the scheme policy compliant, but a housing officer accepted the lower offer from the developer as long it provided a satisfactory viability assessment.
The council looked into the viability assessment submitted and estimated that the development would yield a 12.3% profit for Hygrove Holdings, based on six affordable units and the education contribution, which was below the 15% minimum profit margin set out in planning guidance. The report said "it was accepted that, in this instance, the development would not be able to provide a policy compliant level of affordable housing provision whilst providing the developer with an acceptable return".
