How Has £3.1m Supported Innovative Low-Energy Homes?
Work has been completed on the first new homes being developed by Caerphilly County Borough Council, as part of an innovative housing pilot programme in Wales. Housing Industry Leaders looks at how the new homes will benefit tenants and contribute to the housing need.
The six new one-bedroom apartments, developed on the site of the former 49 Club in Trecenydd, are the first low-energy homes to be built by Caerphilly County Borough Council in almost 20 years.
All the homes in the development have been constructed to Passivhaus standard and consist of very high levels of insulation, extremely high-performance windows with insulated frames, airtight building fabric and a mechanical heat ventilation system.
In addition to this, the buildings will result in low energy costs for tenants and contribute to the housing need in the country borough.
The Programme Will Act As A Blueprint
Caerphilly County Borough Council is the first in Wales to develop homes to Passivhaus standards using what they describe as a unique innovative steel primaframe design.
Cllr Shayne Cook, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This is a huge milestone for us in delivering our ambitious council house building programme and I’d like to thank everyone involved in achieving this.
“The quality of these new homes is exceptional, and their innovative design will make sure fuel bills for future tenants will be kept to a minimum, which is crucial amidst rising energy costs and the current cost of living crisis.”
Our aim is to use this pilot programme as a blueprint for future developments and I look forward to welcoming our new tenants into their homes.
It Is Hoped The Homes Will Help Tackle Fuel Poverty
It has been developed in partnership with experienced construction company Willmott Dixon and local Ystrad Mynach-based steel manufacturer Caledan.
Funding of £3.1 million has been provided from Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme to support the project and this will also see another twelve one-bedroom Passivhaus development at Llanfabon Drive, Trethomas.
Members of the local community were invited to view the completed properties recently at an event, where the homes were officially handed over to the Council from the team at Willmott Dixon.
Director at Willmott Dixon, Ian Jones, said: “Working in collaboration with Caerphilly County Borough Council, we’re very proud to see the completion of the homes at Trecenydd. The innovative manufacturing techniques that have been used have enabled us to deliver low-energy, state-of-the-art homes to the borough which will help to tackle fuel poverty and provide high-quality homes for the tenants.”
