Cartrefi Conwy has unveiled ambitious plans for a new low-carbon estate of 131 affordable homes in North Wales.
The 12-acre site in Pensarn, near Abergele, will be the biggest housing scheme to date for Cartrefi if it’s given the green light by Conwy County Borough Council.
The Welsh housing association has made it clear that it is committed to using local labour and suppliers, and the development is expected to be a massive boost for the regional economy.
The development will also be highly beneficial for Cartrefi subsidiary, Creating Enterprise, who will be making the timber frames for the low-energy, Passivhaus-standard modular houses at their factory in Rhyl.
The factory, which has already created nine new jobs with more expected if the development is approved, has received funding from the Welsh Government and the National Lottery.
The Pensarn development is part of Cartrefi Conwy’s wider strategy of building 1,000 homes with the lowest possible energy bills, and also ties in with the Welsh Government’s plan to deliver affordable, energy-efficient homes to help tackle fuel poverty. The new homes have the potential to save residents up to 80% on energy costs each year.
There are currently around 1,800 people waiting for social housing in Conwy, and this scheme will provide much-needed homes for social or intermediate rent.
Katie Clubb, managing director of Cartrefi Conwy, said: “This is very exciting because it will be the biggest single housing development ever undertaken by Cartrefi Conwy, which will be made up of 100% affordable homes.”
Cartrefi’s assistant director for development and growth, David Kelsall, said: “Although the site already has planning permission, the plans for the original development wasn’t progressed but that permission remains live.”
“We have a draft layout at the moment and it’s gone to the local authority for them to comment on the plan. Once we have got our designs firmed up we will consult fully with the public and other statutory consultees.”
Adrian Johnson, managing director of commercial services at Cartrefi Conwy and founder of the Creating Enterprise factory, believes the scheme will be hugely significant on many levels.
“This is potentially incredibly good news and we are keeping our fingers crossed in terms of planning.”
“This would be the equivalent of three years of orders for the factory in Rhyl and would take the total number of orders we have to over 300.”
“The properties themselves are very advanced in terms of building control standards, exceeding sound-proofing requirements and with in-built radon gas barriers. The design is up to Passivhaus standard which means they are going to be among the most energy-efficient homes you can build in the UK.”
Cartrefi Conwy chief executive Andrew Bowden, said: “These modular homes are revolutionising the social housing market in North Wales.”
“The development could not be more timely because the skyrocketing cost of energy is a huge worry to people at the moment.”
“Another benefit is that the profit made by Creating Enterprise will be recycled for social good which will bring tenants back into paid employment. This is profit with a purpose.”
