Welsh Government backs landmark green housing project despite local concerns
Ted Peskett, Local Democracy Reporter
There has been a major update in plans to build what’s been called the UK’s largest net-zero housing development near a Welsh beauty spot.
The Welsh Government announced it had agreed a contract with housing developers Barratt Redrow to deliver 576 homes on land at Upper Cosmeston Farm.
Concerns have been raised about the development, which will be just outside of Penarth and near Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, including its potential impact on traffic and a loss of green space.
Housing shortages
The Welsh Government sees the scheme playing an important role in tackling housing shortages and achieving its net zero ambitions.
Cabinet secretary for housing and local government, Jayne Bryant, said: “This landmark development sets a new standard for sustainable housing not only in Wales but across the UK and beyond.
“This isn’t just about building homes – it’s about creating thriving communities and tackling the climate emergency head-on.
“Our net zero policy is driving real investment and real change in how we build the homes Wales desperately needs.
“The agreement with Barratt Redrow represents a significant step-change that shows what’s possible when we put people and our planet first and I’m particularly pleased with their commitment to delivering training and apprenticeships, helping to build skills and careers for the next generation.”
David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Redrow, said: “As one of the leading housebuilders in Wales we are proud to be working with the Welsh Government to build the largest net zero new community in the UK.
“It will be an exemplar development and a great place to live, with fantastic community facilities, a strong commitment to affordable housing, and cutting-edge sustainability credentials. Every highly energy efficient home will be heated by a ground source heat pump and powered by photovoltaic panels and batteries, cutting carbon and bills for future residents.”
The Welsh Government has said that the scheme is not only the UK’s largest net zero housing development, but is also believed to be one of the biggest in Europe. Cardiff University has been appointed to independently assess and verify the data that monitors the homes’ zero carbon performance.
‘Falling to pieces’
However, with the population of the area set to be added to in the hundreds, many existing residents and councillors are worried about the impact this will have.
One councillor representing the community of Sully, which is a three-minute drive down the main road from the application site, said the new housing development will put pressure on services in an area that’s “already chock-a-block”.
Vale of Glamorgan Council member Cllr Kevin Mahoney claimed at a planning committee meeting in 2024 there were no places at schools, dentists, or GP surgeries in the area at the time and said the road infrastructure was “falling to pieces”.
He added: “We know full well that the road can’t take any more traffic.”
The plans for Upper Cosmeston Farm site show it will eventually include a primary school, public open space, and other community facilities.
One Vale council planning officer also said in a 2024 planning meeting that there is an opportunity for health service needs to be catered for at the site in the future.
Residents have also raised concerns about the impact the development might have on the nearby Wales Coast Path and the loss of agricultural land.
The Welsh Government argued the homes will help Vale of Glamorgan tackle its housing crisis.
In March 2025 Vale of Glamorgan Council said there were 7,217 households on the council housing waiting list, up from 6,930 households in September 2024.
The Welsh Government has said that 50% of the homes will be affordable, with 219 set to be available for social rent. The development will also include a new primary school, open space and an active travel route, creating a sustainable community.
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I find it very strange the Welsh Labour Government are pushing ahead with Net Zero but according to their climate TSAR Tomos Radford the Welsh Labour Government hasn’t got a plan to reach Net Zero and do not know how much it will cost every household or householder across Wales.
What qualifies as a ‘Green Housing’ or is that just a boast as in a whimsical side? Notice in the CGI there are no solar panels on any of the roofs.
It’s a con as usual ,there’s no such thing as a Green housing development ,all building materials involved will be made where greenhouse gasses will be part of the manufacturing process .How will the materials get to site ?what will power the construction machines ? This is cuckoo land .
Still a private development of largely privately owned houses. Only mass scale council house building will fix the housing problem
So they plan on building sustainable housing in a non sustainable way?
The area that this is proposed for does not have the required infrastructure to cope with the sheer amount of people/traffic.
Public transport links are near to non existent meaning cars are required to commute, the local schools, doctors and dentists are at breaking point already meaning more travelling in cars to areas to access services.
Short sighted planning for a long term problem I think and don’t even get me started on net zero!
And who will these affordable houses be for, one wonders ,people from outside of the Area ? Rather self defeating don’t you think ,The Welsh labour Government need to build more council housing not affordable homes that’ll likely be bought from people from outside the Area ,with incomes depress d who locally can afford a so called affordable home.