Topping Out Ceremony at Royal Hamadryad Development
Representatives from Cardiff Community Housing Association, Morganstone, Cardiff County Council and the Welsh Assembly were present yesterday (Wednesday 3rd February) to mark the official ‘topping out’ of a brand new housing scheme at the site of the Royal Hamadryad Hospital, in Butetown, Cardiff. In building construction, topping out is a builders’ rite traditionally held on completion of the building’s roof structure. In the case of Hamadryad, we marked the occasion with a ceremony carried out by Ian Morgan (Managing Director, Morganstone) and Kevin Protheroe (Chief Executive, Cardiff Community Housing Association).
Despite the recent inclement weather, work has progressed well on the site, and the new homes are on target to welcome tenants in June of this year. The Hamadryad site in its entirety extends to 1.96 acres and has a planning consent for both 55 and 75 affordable homes. Of the 75 homes, 55 are apartments within a six and four storey block (with an additional planning consent) and the remaining 20 a mixture of two, three and four bedroom family homes.
The site is located off Hamadryad Road, approximately 0.7 miles from the heart of Cardiff Bay and the Mermaid Quay area, and 1.75 miles from the city centre. The elevation of the building allows for spectacular views across the city in both directions.
CCHA was approached by Cardiff Council on 30th September 2014 looking to purchase CCHA’s land at Hamadryad to accommodate a two form entry primary school. In order to achieve this, Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, CCHA and Morganstone have worked closely over the last 15 months to develop a land ‘swap’ opportunity whereby CCHA will sell part of Hamadryad in exchange for land at Schooner Way.
This partnership approach has enabled 172 new homes to be developed as well as a new primary school, providing fantastic new facilities and opportunities for the people of Cardiff.
Caroline Lewis, Director of Development for CCHA, said:
“CCHA’s vision is ‘providing homes, regenerating communities’, and developing new affordable housing is a key way in which we achieve this. It is great to see the progress that has been achieved so far on this project, and to mark it with this special occasion. Visitors to the site today included senior Cardiff Council staff, some of our board members and tenant service inspectors, all of whom were really impressed with the quality of the build so far.”
Ian Morgan, Managing Director of Morganstone added:
“This project is a perfect example of true partnership and collaborative working where all stakeholders have worked closely together taking a proactive approach from the outset. The whole team have worked closely with the surrounding communities, engaging in local events, keeping everyone up to date with progress, project news with updates on our website etc, therefore it is great to get the team together for this milestone event today.”
Partner, Martin Roe, from Austin-Smith: Lord Architects said:
“This is a very exciting point in the project, when the basic form of the building is complete. We are able to stand back and view it in context, and also stand in the apartments and look out. With Cardiff projected to be the UK’s fastest growing city, the development has a crucial role to play in meeting housing demand with a quality that also reinforces Cardiff’s position as one of Europe’s most Liveable Cities.”