News Categories: Development

New homes support Holyhead regeneration

Garreg Domas, a new housing development by North Wales Housing has been completed early and provides 9 much needed new homes in Holyhead.

The development of flats is located within Holyhead town centre and was previously a scout hut which was demolished. The development has created 9 one bedroom two person flats in total.

Residents eagerly received the keys and moved in to their new home early March.

Helena Kirk, Chief Executive at North Wales Housing, said:

“We are extremely pleased with Garreg Domas, a development in partnership with Isle of Anglesey County Council. The development was due to complete on 30th June 2017 so this was completed earlier than expected.”

“The development has benefited from Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) grant funding, supporting the regeneration of Holyhead and building more new homes for the area”

Head of Housing Services at Anglesey County Council, Shan Williams, said:

“We were pleased to work in partnership with North Wales Housing on this project to provide new social housing for Anglesey and make use of a vacant brownfield site close to Holyhead town centre. We’re grateful to the Welsh Government for providing the VVP capital funds to help make the scheme possible.”

“The Holyhead VVP Programme for regeneration and homes has to date supported the construction of 40 new social rented homes through partnership working with local housing associations and the Welsh Government’s Homes and Places Division.”

Wales’s first urban housing co-operative officially opened

‘Afallon Housing Development’, built by the first urban Community Housing Co-operative in Wales, was officially opened on 13th January by Nic Bliss, Chair of Confederation of Cooperative Housing.

West Rhyl Housing Co-operative, set up by West Rhyl Community Land Trust (WRCLT), North Wales Housing (NWH) and Wales Co-operative Centre, was set up to develop a new and empowered community in the heart of the regeneration area in West Rhyl.

‘Afallon Housing Development’, opposite the Gerddi Heulwen park, is the Co-operative’s first development, creating new homes for 11 local families, couples and individuals.

Made up of 7 new build family houses and 4 fully refurbished apartments, the development saw the first 7 families move into the houses at the end of October 2016, and have since enjoyed their first Christmas in their new homes.  The remaining 4 families have moved into their new apartments this month; a great way to start the New Year.

Tom Jones, resident and Chair of Afallon Residents Committee is happy with his new home:

“This is an amazing opportunity to move to a brand new property and to have a say in how it’s managed. West Rhyl has always been a brilliant place to live and now we can look forward to building a brand new community right in the heart of it”

Fiona Davies, Chair of WRCLT, said:

“Afallon Housing Development is a vitally important scheme to West Rhyl. It is a culmination of 6 years of hard work from volunteers and members of the community, to create the West Rhyl Land Trust, develop partnership with North Wales Housing and subsequently the new Housing Co-operative.”

“Community aspirations were for better quality housing in the area and that is exactly what’s been achieved.”

Nikki Jones, Director of WRCLT added:

“This is a proud moment for those of us who have strived to make this development happen.  Our Community Board have been dedicated to producing a positive outcome for West Rhyl, and their commitment has now paid off.”

Helena Kirk, Chief Executive at North Wales Housing said:

“Afallon is a unique housing development and North Wales Housing are proud to be involved in the project. The development has exceeded expectations and the houses are great example of what houses would have looked like in the area.”

“The Co-operative model has worked well and we are pleased that there is already a sense of community on the street; the Co-operative is no doubt to thank for that.”

Dave Palmer, Co-operative Housing project manager at the Wales Co-operative Centre said:

“Local people making decisions about their homes can make a huge, positive difference to the future health and well-being of our communities. By their very nature, housing co-operatives are more collaborative and democratic, and they encourage and support local community control in their immediate neighbourhoods.

“The Welsh Co-operative Housing programme has shown us that co-operative housing is flexible to meet many needs and any tenure. At the Wales Co-operative Centre we are working to ensure co-operative housing provides a significant proportion of the 20,000 new affordable homes to be built during this Welsh Government term.”

Housing co-operatives give tenants a greater say on day-to-day issues that can affect their quality of life. Issues could include appointing maintenance contractors, setting service charges, allocating properties to new tenants joining the community and organising events.

To be considered to be a part of the Co-operative, potential tenants had to have lived, worked or volunteered in Rhyl for at least two of the past five years and were assessed on their suitability against key criteria.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant said:

“The Afallon development is an excellent example of how the Welsh Government is delivering on its commitment to provide high quality, affordable housing and I am pleased tenants are already enjoying their new homes.

“This project is a key element of the West Rhyl Housing Improvement Programme, a Welsh Government led investment of almost £17m in improving housing and providing green space in the area which will be vital in contributing to the regeneration of the town.”

Helena Kirk concludes:

“We hope residents enjoy living in their new homes and we look forward to seeing their community spirit continue.”

Car park makes way to 12 new affordable homes

New affordable housing development Clos Owen in Wrexham was officially opened at an event on Friday 4th November 2016.

The £1.5million social housing development marks the first for North Wales Housing in Wrexham, making sure the association lives up to their ‘North Wales Housing’ name.

Working closely with Wrexham County Council the truly North Wales based housing association created 12 new affordable rent homes in the Whitegate area of the town on the site of a former car park.

An ornamental tree was planted to mark the occasion before meeting residents over afternoon tea.

Phil Danson, Places Director at North Wales Housing said:

“This is an excellent example of how North Wales Housing is working with its partners to develop new affordable housing in North Wales. By close partnership working with Wrexham Council we have improved the housing prospects of young local families and tackle the wider issue of housing shortage.”

“We hope that the Tenants will enjoy living on their new estate for years to come, and that they will take every opportunity to contribute to their community.”

Residents moved in their new homes in July 2016 and have settled in well.

Resident Julie Jones said:

“I’m very happy with my new home. I moved here from Llay and I’m been so impressed with the quality of the new house. It’s very spacious, there’s solar panels which have already saved me money on heating bills, everything is clean and modern and easy to use and there’s plenty of storage space. I’m only a few minutes walk from the town centre now too so it’s ideal for me.”

Local Member for Whitegate, Cllr Brian Cameron, said:

“This is a very positive development for housing in the area. I’m also very pleased that two of the one-bed ground floor flats have been built with adaptions for residents with specific needs. The council’s partnership with North Wales Housing has worked very well here and, as a result, we’ve been able to create these very desirable properties which I’m sure the new residents will be very pleased with.”

Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Ian Roberts, said:

“We’ve made fantastic progress with the development of affordable housing in Wrexham recently, thanks to a number of schemes which are now underway across the County Borough. I’m delighted that these modern, attractive homes have now been completed in Clos Owen and it’s great to see that the partnership between the Council and North Wales Housing has had such positive results here.”

Much needed affordable housing development officially opened

Residents, staff and guests came together to celebrate the official opening of the new affordable housing development Stad yr Ysgol in Bryn Paun, Llangoed on Friday 21st October 2016.

Working closely with Isle of Anglesey Council, the new Stad yr Ysgol housing development has been built in the Bryn Paun area of Llangoed, close to the local primary school.

The site has been transformed by North Wales Housing and appointed contractors Williams Homes Bala, providing 10 much needed affordable homes, a mixture of 8 x five person three bed houses and 2 x four person two bed houses.

Lynne Parry, Chair of North Wales Housing’s Landlord Services Board, and local councillor Lewis Davies helped plant an ornamental tree to mark the occasion before enjoying afternoon tea accompanied by performances by local school Ysgol Llangoed.

Phil Danson, Places Director at North Wales Housing explains:

“We are extremely pleased to have created 10 new affordable rent homes for local people of Llangoed. This is the result of great partnership working with Isle of Anglesey Council. By working together we have improved the housing prospects of young local families and helped tackle the wider issue of housing shortage.”

Anglesey’s Head of Housing Services, Shan Lloyd Williams, said:

“The Council has worked closely with both the Welsh Government and North Wales Housing to deliver this innovative affordable housing scheme, in an area where the need for affordable housing had been identified.  We hope that the Tenants will enjoy living on their new estate for years to come, and that they will take every opportunity to contribute to the community’s activities.”

Housing and Social Services portfolio holder, Councillor Aled Morris Jones, said:

“This is another excellent example of how Anglesey County Council is working with its partners to develop new affordable housing on the Island.   We are proactively working to develop additional affordable housing across Anglesey, which includes building the first new Council homes in 30 years, bringing long term empty properties back into use and recently abolishing the Right to Buy on Anglesey.”

Phil Danson, Places Director at North Wales Housing:

“We hope that the residents of Stad yr Ysgol will enjoy living in their new homes and that the community will flourish and grow alongside the new tree planted today”.

New affordable homes in Wrexham due to new partnership

Residents have been welcomed into their new homes this week as 12 affordable rent homes have been created by a £1.5million social housing development by North Wales Housing in Wrexham.

Working closely with Wrexham County Council, the new Clos Owen development has been built in the Whitegate area of the town on the site of a former car park. The site has been transformed by North Wales Housing and appointed contractors K & C Group, providing 12 much needed homes, a mixture of 6 x 2 bedroom houses and 6 x one bed flats.

This development marks the first for North Wales Housing in Wrexham, making sure the association lives up to their ‘North Wales Housing’ name.

Phil Danson, Places Director, North Wales Housing said: 

“This is an important milestone for North Wales Housing, representing further growth and expansion for us. By close partnership working with Wrexham Council we have improved the housing prospects of young local families and tackle the wider issue of housing shortage.”

One of the tenants who has benefited from the new development is John Spruce. John has moved into an apartment which has been adapted to his special needs.

“I moved in to one of the adapted ground floor flats very recently and I’m very happy with it. It caters for all my needs very well. It’s spacious, well equipped, and everything is at the right level, including the shower, oven, shelves, etc. I requested a property a while ago and the council recently recommended me for one of these brand new properties so I’m very pleased.”

Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Ian Roberts, commented.

“I’m delighted that these new homes have been created thanks to a successful partnership between North Wales Housing and Wrexham Council. Developing affordable housing plays a major role in tackling the issue of housing shortage and I hope the new residents will be very pleased with these properties.”

Local Member for Whitegate, Cllr Brian Cameron, commented,

“This is a very positive development for housing in the area. I’m also very pleased that two of the one-bed ground floor flats have been built with adaptions for residents with specific needs. The council’s partnership with North Wales Housing has worked very well here and I look forward to building on this relationship.”

A further development is already in the pipeline by North Wales Housing and Wrexham Council.

New Homes spark new future for local Rhyl people

Six local residents are benefitting from newly redeveloped homes to rent thanks to a partnership between North Wales Housing and West Rhyl Community Land Trust.

The properties on John Street in West Rhyl, that previously housed approximately 12 bedsits, have been transformed to 6 high quality, energy efficient and affordable apartments.

Close to the new community green space Gerddi Heulwen, they are in the heart of the Welsh Governments strategic regeneration area and the first properties to be brought back into use following the regeneration works programme.

New tenant, Maria Dawson is delighted:

“I’m so happy as I’ll benefit so much from this beautiful apartment. I suffer with severe arthritis and I lived in a flat on the third floor before so things are definitely going to be much better and easier for me now. I also have access to a garden area too which will be lovely when I’m poorly but want some fresh air. I’m just so grateful.”

Chair Person of West Rhyl Community Land Trust, Fiona Davies, said:

“We’re really pleased to be able to handover the keys of these properties to local people. The standard of works carried out by Carroll Builders & Contractors is excellent and the new tenants are very happy with their new homes.”

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive North Wales Housing said:

“West Rhyl Community Land Trust and North Wales Housing have been working together since early 2012 bringing empty properties back into use and up to a good standard, to rent to local people at an affordable level. This is the latest property developed and we’re extremely pleased with how they have turned out. We hope new tenants will settle in and enjoy living in their new homes”.

These properties are opposite Afallon Housing Development on Abbey Street, the first development by West Rhyl Housing Cooperative, a partnership between the Land Trust and North Wales Housing, building on community aspirations.

Artwork by primary school children on proud display at Rhyl development

Anwyl Construction, appointed contractors for an exciting £1.4 million housing development in Abbey Street, Rhyl organised a competition and the artwork is now on proud display on site.

The art competition for the Year Four pupils of Ysgol Bryn Hedydd was organised after they visited the site as part of their World of Work project.

The standard of the entries were so impressive that a special sign was created and is now on proud display on site, showing all the children’s paintings and their names. The Year Four classes and their teachers paid another visit to the Abbey Street site to unveil the sign and for the competition winners to receive their prizes.

Doing the honours was Commercial Manager Simon Rose who said:

“Thank you to all the pupils for their efforts, they’re fantastic”.

“We thought the standard of the work was so good that we wanted to commemorate it and so we have put the names up of everyone who took part in this and when the development is complete we will be handing it over to the school”.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said

“This development is for the community of Rhyl and part of the re-generation of West Rhyl, so we’re extremely happy to see the children have got involved. Well done to everyone who took part, and to those who won in particular. The standard of the artwork is brilliant, and they deserve pride of place so everyone can see.”

The new Afallon development in Abbey Street is in the heart of the town’s West End and overlooks the Gerddi Heulwen green space which opened last year. The driving force behind the scheme is West Rhyl Housing Co-operative, Wales’s first urban rental housing co-operative, formed by North Wales Housing and West Rhyl Community Land Trust.

The development will create seven new three-bedroom family homes with private gardens and parking and are refurbishing former commercial premises on the ground floor with two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom flats above.

The competition winner was eight-year-old Heather Dawes who said:

“I thought I’d do something about the different skills and jobs the builders were doing and what it would all look like at the end.”

“We discussed it and then planned it all and it was good fun, especially colouring it in and now it’s nice to see it up on the sign.”

Year Four teacher Ceri Jones said:

“It’s been a fantastic project and worked really well with our World of Work week when we were looking at employment and opportunities for the children when they’re grown up.”

When the project is completed this summer the sign will be handed over to the school.

Brand new family housing for West Rhyl

 

Work has started on a ground-breaking £1.4 million housing scheme aimed at rebuilding a community in Rhyl.

The new Afallon development in Abbey Street is in the heart of the town’s West End and overlooks the Gerddi Heulwen green space which opened last year.

The driving force behind the scheme is West Rhyl Housing Co-operative, Wales’s first urban rental housing co-operative, formed by North Wales Housing and West Rhyl Community Land Trust.

Fiona Davies, Chair of the Trust, said:

This is an exciting opportunity for local families to benefit from brand new high quality, affordable housing.

The aim of the Cooperative is to re-build the close-knit community that once thrived in West Rhyl.”

Tenants become members of the housing co-operative, which entitles them to become involved in how their properties are managed and to determine and influence future plans and projects in the area.

Barry Mellor, Mayor of Rhyl, welcomed the development and said:

It’s fantastic. It’s what we’ve needed her for a long, long time and it will boost this area considerably.

 

For the Community Land Trust to do this is unbelievable and to have Anwyl, a local company, building it is superb – what we need now is for other companies to get on board to help out.”

Award-winning Rhyl-based builders Anwyl will build seven new three-bedroom family homes with private gardens and parking and are refurbishing former commercial premises which will house a community shop and a bakery on the ground floor with two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom flats above.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing, said:

North Wales Housing are proud to be part of this important regeneration of West Rhyl.

 

Afallon is an attractive community housing project providing real family homes built to a high specification and standard of energy efficiency.

 

It aims to create a vibrant community where families and businesses wish to settle and grow.”

Denbighshire County Councillor for West Rhyl Joan Butterfield, a member of the Trust, said:

It’s a really wonderful opportunity for the people here to start building a true community from day one.

 

It’s a real social enterprise project involving the people who live here and providing them with opportunities and skills and I believe it will lift the whole of Rhyl.”

Nikki Jones, Director of WRCLT, said:

We are keen to hear from local families wishing to become part of the cooperative and apply to live in the new family houses.

 

If people who currently live or work in Rhyl or surrounding areas are interested there is still time to apply to become tenants.”

For further information and how to apply call 01745 339779 or email [email protected].

Whitegate Road development marks expansion to Wrexham

Work has officially started on a new £1.5million social housing development in Wrexham, providing 12 new affordable rent homes in the area.

The development is the first development in the region for NWH, working in partnership with Wrexham Council.

Start of work on site was marked by an event organised by North Wales Housing, welcoming partners and local Councillors Mark Pritchard and Ian Roberts to find out more about the important development.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

We’re really excited to be starting this development in Wrexham. It marks an expansion for North Wales Housing and we look forward to working with Wrexham Council. It’s through close partnership working like this that we can improve the housing prospects of young local families.”

Positioned off Whitegate Road, Wrexham, the site has previously been used as a car park. The site will be transformed by NWH and appointed contractors K & C Group, providing 12 much needed homes, 6 x 2 bedroom houses and 6 x one bed flats, in the area.

Councillor Ian Roberts, Lead Member for Housing, Wrexham Council said:

Providing affordable housing that meets people’s needs and aspirations is a priority for the Council and this development will help towards meeting that priority.”

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones officially opens Cae Garnedd

Carwyn Jones AM, The First Minister of Wales officially opened, Cae Garnedd, a pioneering Extra Care scheme by North Wales Housing on Wednesday 2nd September 2015.

Residents, staff and guests came together to celebrate the official opening of the scheme and Carwyn Jones AM helped plant an ornamental tree to mark the occasion before meeting residents over afternoon tea.

‘Cae Garnedd’ is a £8.35 million new build Extra Care scheme in Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, developed in partnership between North Wales Housing, Gwynedd Council and Welsh Government. The scheme is the first of its kind for Bangor and offers an alternative way of living for people aged over 55, providing independent living supported by care and support programme that can be adapted and assessed as their individual needs change.

Guests also took the opportunity to have a tour of the wonderful facilities at Cae Garnedd. The scheme includes 15 high specified one and 27 two-bedroom apartments, each containing its own kitchen, living area and bathroom as well as a host of modern yet homely communal areas including lounges; restaurant; hairdressers and pamper treatment room and much more.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones said:

The facilities here at Cae Garnedd are outstanding and provide the opportunity for older people to continue to live independently.  I am pleased the Welsh Government was able to support this facility with £4.8m Social Housing Grant funding.  Schemes like Cae Garnedd reduce the dependency on residential or the long term care system and ensure people aren’t at risk of being lonely or isolated.

Schemes like Cae Garnedd are also a stimulus for the economy by supporting the construction and supply chain, and by providing jobs and apprenticeships for the local area.”

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

We’re incredibly proud to be able to bring this scheme to the city, the first of its kind in Bangor. It provides an important alternative for older members of our community when considering their housing options.

For many older people, living opportunities can be considered at very opposing ends of the spectrum from full independent living to residential or nursing care. Extra Care bridges this gap and offers people a choice to retain their independent living with support and care when needed.”