The renowned Wholesale Fruit Market at Bessemer Road and adjoining industrial estate off Hadfield Road, Cardiff have come to the market through Cardiff agents, Rawlins & Madley, in what is believed to be one of the largest residential development opportunities to be offered for sale in Cardiff for over 10 years.
The site totals 17.3 acres and has the benefit of a resolution to grant outline planning permission for up to 250 housing units together with approximately 64,000 sq ft of predominantly B1 (office) accommodation.
The sale will be subject to the developer entering into a planning agreement which as drafted will provide over £1.3m of benefits to Cardiff Council through contributions to local community facilities, education, highways and public open space.
In addition the developer will provide approximately 35 affordable housing units on the site predominantly for the rented sector.
Bessemer Road Market was opened in 1965 and very soon became a thriving and successful Wholesale Distribution Centre for fruit, flowers and vegetables serving the South Wales market and beyond.
Over the past 10 years the number of traders has reduced significantly as a result of the decline of retail outlets due to the growth and competition from the national supermarkets.
Approximately a third of the site is now utilised for its original use with over half the site remaining vacant.
Paul Madley of Rawlins & Madley comments “This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a substantial housing site so close to the city centre. There is currently a significant shortage of quality sites available in Cardiff to be developed for traditional family housing and I have no doubt that this site will generate a large amount of interest from the regional and national housebuilders operating in the South Wales market.
The Bessemer/Hadfield Road site offers the successful bidder the chance to acquire a housing site for approximately 250 units in a part of Cardiff that has recently seen large scale investment and growth with the redevelopment of Ninian Park, Cardiff City Stadium and Leckwith Retail Park.
Importantly with the amount of detailed planning and technical work that my clients have already carried out, the site can be developed ahead of those potential housing sites that are being promoted through Cardiff’s emerging Local Development Plan.”
The site is available for sale by informal tender on 10 May 2013.