Cardiff Council has recently acquired the 54.48-acre Pengam Green site in Tremorfa from Welsh Government and is preparing to produce a comprehensive masterplan for this strategically significant location. The plan will include potential residential, commercial, and infrastructure opportunities, alongside environmental protections and improved transport connectivity.

The site offers a significant opportunity to transform a key gateway into Cardiff Bay and the southern city centre, enhancing connectivity, promoting active travel, and supporting both economic growth and environmental renewal.

To help shape the future of the area, the Council will create a masterplan deliverable in stages. The plan will set out where new homes, businesses, and public spaces could go. It will focus on good design, easy access, and a mix of uses that work well together. It will also include “blue and green infrastructure” - things like rivers, ponds, parks, and green spaces - which help nature thrive, improve the environment, and support people’s health and wellbeing.

As a first phase of the masterplan, the Council aims to address urgent overcrowding issues at the existing Rover Way Gypsy and Traveller site. Currently, 33 families live on the 21-pitch site, which has limited access to essential facilities and is severely constrained by its location next to a busy road.

At its next meeting on July 10, Cabinet will consider a recommendation to develop proposals for a temporary provision at Pengam Green, at a location already identified in the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP). The temporary site will be carefully designed to ensure both traveller families and existing residents living nearby are provided with privacy and space. It would provide the potential capacity to deliver 70 pitches allowing the 33 families to relocate while the wider masterplan is developed.

The masterplan will include a requirement to consider a preferred, permanent location for a Gypsy and Traveller site back on the south side of Rover Way enabled by a potential future road realignment.

Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Climate Change said: “The purchase of this land gives us the opportunity to develop a masterplan which could look at transforming the waterfront, delivering jobs and new business opportunities, alongside improved transport links to Cardiff Bay and the east of the city. The potential which could be realised for this part of the city is very exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing the masterplan come together and working on making it a reality.”

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The situation at Rover Way simply isn’t sustainable anymore. Families are living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to basic facilities, and that’s not acceptable. This proposed new site would give residents the space, safety and stability they need while we work on a longer-term solution that meets everyone’s needs.

“We’re really excited about the potential to transform this part of the city. But before we can get started on the bigger picture, we have to make sure the current community is safe and supported. We’ve already started speaking with residents, and it’s encouraging to hear that many are open to relocating nearby.”

Progression of the proposals for the temporary site is subject to planning approval and confirmation of grant funding. Proposals would return to Cabinet for implementation approval in due course.

At the same meeting on July 10, Cabinet will also consider giving the go-ahead for the commissioning of a masterplan for the regeneration of Pengam Green. The report will be available here: Agendafor Cabinet on Thursday, 10th July, 2025, 2.00 pm : Cardiff Council

Ahead of that meeting, a joint Community and Adult Services and Environment Scrutiny Committee will be held on Wednesday July 9. The agenda is available here Agenda for Joint Community and Adult Services and Environment Scrutiny Committee onWednesday, 9th July, 2025, 4.30 pm : Cardiff Council and the meeting can be watched via webcast here: Home - Cardiff CouncilWebcasting