A development of 24 affordable houses in Gwynedd is set to start this month as part of a housing association’s move to a low carbon and greener future.
All houses in Grŵp Cynefin’s £5.5m project at Penygroes, near Caernarfon, will be built utilising modern methods of construction and will feature solar panels and air source heat pumps, making them low carbon and energy efficient.
Construction is set to start next month, with properties becoming available from early 2023.
The site is opposite Plas Silyn Leisure Centre, and the 24 properties will be let on an affordable rent basis to local people who are registered and eligible via Gwynedd Council’s Housing Register and Tai Teg.
This comes at a time of huge concern about rising house values in rural Wales with demand for second homes helping push up prices for local people.
They are working with Williams Homes (Bala) on the development.
Gwyndaf Williams, development manager at Penygroes and Denbigh-based Grŵp Cynefin, said: “We’re passionate about delivering affordable homes, particularly in rural communities, and are thrilled work is about to start on site for this development. There has been lots of interest so far.
“These types of schemes are vital to communities as they bring affordable homes to areas in which people have grown up but are priced out of buying a property and therefore move away.
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“This development at Penygroes will be one of the largest projects of its kind for Grŵp Cynefin. We are setting a precedent for future construction, not just for us but across North Wales, so that these high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be the standard specification.
“They will be well insulated and feature solar panels as well as air source heat pumps, which absorb heat from outside to heat the homes and hot water, which will help reduce utility bills.
“We are also pleased to be awarded an innovation grant from the Welsh Government for £500,000 towards the construction which will upscale the delivery of the development.”
The development will feature two, three and four bedroom properties as well as eight one bedroom flats.
Grŵp Cynefin is experienced in modern methods of construction, having used modular builds at Maes Glyndwr at Cynwyd near Corwen in Denbighshire, which reduces the amount of journeys to the site.
Gwyndaf added: “As with all our projects, we will look to use local suppliers and contractors where possible as well as provide opportunities for important work experience for apprentices in North Wales colleges.
“We are now finalising details with the contractors and hope to start construction next month.”
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Mari Tudur is a senior rural housing enabler with Grŵp Cynefin. The enablers work closely with communities to understand issues they face, such as affordability and availability, as well as suggest solutions.
Mari said: “We are very happy that the number of homes we wanted to be built has been approved.
“There’s a strong demand in the area so it will be rewarding to see affordable, high-quality houses being built for local people who won’t have to move away.”
Shan Lloyd Williams, chief executive at Grŵp Cynefin, said: “The new Maes Dulyn development signals a change in how we will be developing all our future homes, helping to maximise our contribution to the green agenda and future sustainability. Grŵp Cynefin is committed to cutting our carbon emissions, providing warmer homes and to helping our tenants to reduce their energy bills.
"We are also committed to provide good quality affordable housing for local people, and this development in Penygroes will be a great example of working together with the local community, local suppliers and Gwynedd Council to help tackle the shortage of homes in Gwynedd.”