Local development plans: Cardiff

The overall plan

• The plan sets out a strategy to deliver 41,415 new homes and 40,000 new jobs in Cardiff between 2006 and 2026. Policy KP1, page 39
• The plan makes provision for 45,415 new homes, which includes a 4,000 home flexibility allowance in case building rates are higher than expected. Policy KP1, page 39
• The plan says its level of growth is the most robust, balanced and appropriate approach, based on the advice of independent population forecasting experts. Page 5
• The plan aims to manage growth by designating a Green Wedge and tight settlement boundaries to protect large areas of countryside. Page 35

Homes

• The plan sets out a strategy to deliver 41,415 new homes over the plan period, alongside 40,000 new jobs. Page 5
• The plan says the council will seek 20% affordable homes on brownfield sites (previously used land) and 30% on greenfield sites (land not built on before) in housing proposals. Policy H3, page 116
• The affordable housing requirement applies to housing proposals of 5 or more homes. Policy H3, page 116
• The plan identifies a need for 108 permanent pitches (spaces for a caravan or mobile home) for Gypsy and Traveller families, and says sites should be allocated to meet this need. Page 123

Jobs and the economy

• The plan allocates strategic sites for jobs and homes, including the Cardiff Central Enterprise Zone and Regional Transport Hub, and a site south of St Mellons Business Park for employment only. Policy KP2, page 45
• The plan protects existing business, industrial and warehousing land so that it keeps providing accessible jobs, and gives a strong presumption in favour of keeping good quality accessible offices. Page 98
• Existing employment areas outside the Central and Bay Business Areas are protected for business uses, such as Cardiff Port, Capital Business Park and Cardiff Gate Business Park. Policy EC1, page 124

Town centres and shops

• The plan says the Central Shopping Area is at the head of the regional shopping hierarchy, and new and improved shops are most appropriate there. Policy R1, page 178
• The plan protects the most important shopping streets in the city centre. Changing shops to other uses there is tested against set criteria, such as how long a unit has been empty and whether it has been actively marketed. Policy R3, page 180
• The plan says new shops and retail development outside the city centre, district centres and local centres will only be allowed in limited cases, such as where there is a proven need and no suitable site in or next to a centre. Policy R6, page 187
• The plan names eleven District Centres, including Albany Road / Wellfield Road, City Road, Thornhill and Whitchurch Road, where shops, offices, leisure and community uses are favoured. Policy R4, page 181

Countryside, nature and heritage

• The plan protects Special Landscape Areas, such as the St Fagans Lowlands and Ely Valley, Garth Hill and Pentyrch Ridges, and Flat Holm, with particular priority given to their character and quality. Policy EN3, page 138
• The plan protects Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and other heritage features, including their character and setting. Policy KP17, page 110

Climate, energy and flooding

• The plan says development will not be permitted within tidal or fluvial flood plains unless the site is justified under national guidance and a detailed technical assessment shows the development is designed to alleviate the threat and consequences of flooding over its lifetime. Policy EN14, page 160
• The plan says development will not be permitted where ground floor bedrooms are proposed in areas at high risk of flooding. Policy EN14, page 160
• The plan says development will not be permitted where it would increase the risk of flooding from rivers or tides, or from extra run-off from the development in any location. Policy EN14, page 160
• The plan says developers must reduce energy use in new development and, where possible, include renewable energy schemes on major and strategic sites, backed by an independent energy assessment. Policy EN12, page 155

Transport

• The plan requires a central public transport hub at Cardiff Central, linking the railway, rapid transit and bus networks, along with a central cycle parking hub. Policy KP2 (A), page 48
• The plan requires new bus-based rapid transit corridors through the North West Cardiff site, linking the local centres to a new transport hub, and bus priority measures on the Western Bus Corridor. Policy KP2 (C), page 56
• The plan requires a network of safe, attractive walking and cycling routes within the North West Cardiff site, linking to local schools and rail stations. Policy KP2 (C), page 56
• The plan says that a route for the future Metro is kept free from development, because its exact alignment along the disused rail line is not yet certain. Page 59

The Welsh language

• The plan says that, after assessing how widely Welsh is used across the city, it does not treat the Welsh language as an issue that needs addressing in the plan. Page 16
• The plan says its proposals are not considered to harm the Welsh language and culture, or to materially change the balance between languages in Cardiff or its communities. Page 16

Where it stands

Being examined Reached in December 2025.

An independent inspector is examining the plan and may hold public hearings. The inspector can require changes.

What happens next

Adopting the new plan

The stages of a new plan

1. 1. Reviewing the current plan
2. 2. Setting a timetable
3. 3. Sites put forward
4. 4. Preferred strategy
5. 5. Draft plan published
6. 6. Sent for examination
7. 7. Being examined
8. 8. Adopted