3.7.25

Cardiff Council has published a comprehensive update on the future of the International Sports Village (ISV).

The report outlines the next steps in a sustainable regeneration strategy that will transform the ISV into a vibrant, low-carbon destination for sport, leisure, and living, delivering new eco-friendly homes, green energy infrastructure, and improved public amenities.

Due to be presented to Cabinet later this month, the report sets out more details of the multi-phase plan for the area.

"The development of the International Sports Village offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class waterfront community that delivers on our ambitions for a stronger, fairer, greener Cardiff," said Cllr Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment & Development.

"The development of a new heat recovery facility, with no capital costs to the Council, alongside the delivery of additional national grid capacity in the area, will safeguard the areas sports and leisure facilities against rising energy costs, as well as making a significant contribution towards our One Planet Cardiff commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the much-needed homes being delivered by Orion will all be built to Passivhaus standards and be net zero in operation."

Sustainable Housing

Orion is currently negotiating a partnership with a green residential developer, with a focus on high-quality, low-carbon homes and innovative energy solutions.

The first phase of development will see the delivery of low-rise, timber-framed homes on the former Cardiff Pointe land. Insulated with natural materials and built to Passivhaus standards, the homes will be net-zero in operation and designed for long-term affordability and comfort.

Green Energy Centre

The Council will begin a procurement process to deliver a new energy centre at no capital cost to the Council.

The energy centre will recover heat generated in the process of creating ice for the Ice Arena and use it to create low-carbon heat for the ISV's major leisure facilities, including the Ice Arena itself, Cardiff International Pool, the White Water centre and the adjacent residential developments in the area.

In order to deliver this £15 million private sector investment, the Council will need to provide land for the facility to be built, via a lease. A commitment to the International Pool, Ice Arena and Cardiff International White Water taking an agreed level of heat will also be required.

Electricity Infrastructure

An opportunity has arisen to deliver a new primary sub station on the ISV site to increase the National Grid capacity in support of the new development. In order to do so the Council will need to agree to lease an area of land.

Car parking

The ISV benefits from nearby public transport and active travel connections, however car parking is necessary for some visitors. Car parking at the site has now been consolidated onto the site of the former Toys R Us car park. This provides a total of 600 spaces, with a further 700 spaces now available on event days.

In order to balance accessibility with the need to manage congestion and support long-term maintenance of the facilities, the report sets out a new, fair and flexible charging strategy for the ISV car park.

Free parking for up to 120 minuteswill be available for leisure users.

Subject to Cabinet approval, car parking will be charged at:

0-2 hours -free for leisure users / £2 for non-leisure users

3 hours -£2 for leisure users / £3.50 for non-leisure users

4 hours -£3.50 for leisure users / £4.50 for non-leisure users

5 hours -£4.50 for leisure users / £6 for non-leisure users

+£1 for every additional hour

Cardiff Council's Cabinet will meet on Thursday July 10^thto consider the recommendations contained in the report, and a webcast of that meeting will be available to watch on the day here: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=151&MId=8863&LLL=0

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the report with be scrutinised by the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee when it meets on Tuesday 8^thJuly. A recording of that meeting will be available to view here: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=8742&LLL=0