WWHA has traditionally had a large new build and refurbishment programme and has built up an expertise in the delivery of a broad range of affordable housing solutions within rural, suburban and urban locations across Wales, offering different tenure options to help sustain communities over the long term. This includes single person homes, family housing, supported housing, low cost home ownership dwellings and extra care schemes for older persons.
We are proud of our approach to quality, innovation and partnership working and this is reflected by receipt of numerous industry awards. This includes receiving the UK Housing award for “Outstanding Achievement in Social Housing in Wales” for the Bettws Regeneration Project.
Our commitment to excellence in rural housing design has also been commended in His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’ Affordable Rural Housing Initiative published at the beginning of 2006.
We have partnered the Welsh Assembly Government and other key stakeholders on many initiatives including: homes designed for life time use, the introduction of EcoHomes Ratings to counter fuel poverty, and RNIB projects to ensure that social housing in Wales is designed and built to cater for the needs of people with visual impairment.
In 2009/2010 we undertook two Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 developments in Brecon and St Athans as part of the Welsh Assembly Government's pilot programme.
We listen to our residents to ensure their views and ideas are used to inform specification updates and design briefs.
New Development Projects - December 2011 update
Developing more high quality, affordable, sustainable homes for people in Wales is a major priority for WWHA.
WWHA’s current 3 year development programme includes innovative projects for residents with autism and learning difficulties, together with general needs housing and extra care facilities. The programme is supported by £15m social housing grant funding from our partner local authorities and the Welsh Government.
Amongst WWHA’s developments recently completed, currently on site, or shortly to go on site across Wales, are:
Kingsmills Road / Rivulet Road, Wrexham - This £15m development will provide 147 mixed tenure affordable houses and apartments for the community including dedicated homes for older people, plus a community centre and medical facility. Planning approval has been received for the Rivulet Road scheme and Kingsmills Road is due early in 2012. Works are due to commence on early 2012 and will take approximately 18 months to fully complete.
Ponciau School redevelopment, Wrexham -
This £2.65m development, which has recently been completed, provides 15 new family homes (three bungalows and 12 houses) plus accommodation to meet the housing needs of five people with autistic spectrum disorders, together with accommodation for their carers.
Llys Jasmine, Mold, Flintshire
– This £8.5m development will provide a 61 apartment extra care and dementia complex plus an additional two extra care bungalows in Flintshire. Works have recommenced on site following a delay, and completion is anticipated in June 2013. The contractor is Anwyl Construction.
Llys Binwyddyn learning autism scheme, Mold, Flintshire - This £1m development, which is now fully occupied, is a supported living and independent living project in partnership with Flintshire County Council. It provides 6 specialist units of accommodation catering for a range of needs and capabilities.
Henllan Autism Project, Denbighshire - Phase One of this £1.05m development will provide specialist accommodation for people with a range of autistic spectrum disorders, plus people with physical disabilities - and their carers.
Phase Two will provide affordable housing for families in the area. We're working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council on this project and work commenced on site in August 2011, with completion due in June 2012. The Contractor is Anwyl Construction.
Lion Street, Brecon, Powys – this recently completed scheme, now known as Plough Court, provides 26 affordable family homes in the architecturally sensitive area of Brecon town centre. Contractor: Wates Living Space.
Cwmfalldau, Llanfaes, Brecon, Powys - 16 affordable family homes are being developed by Lovell Partnerships for WWHA as part of their larger development at the site. Completion will be phased over the next year.
Llanbedr, Powys – this development of 8 houses is awaiting confirmation from Welsh Water that the drainage is acceptable to them. This will then enable Brecon Beacons National Park Planning Authority to approve the planning application. The scheme has been designed in partnership with Powys County Council and the local community.
Vulcan House, Merthyr Tydfil – WWHA has been working with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council for the past four years to enable the redevelopment of this Grade 2 listed building which is adjacent to our recently competed Brewery Court and Brewery Mews development, also on the former Vulcan Brewery site. Planning approval has been received and is now subject to judicial review due to the historic importance of the scheme. Works are anticipated to begin on site early in 2012.
Ffordd Maendy, Bridgend - WWHA, working with Bridgend County Borough Council and Barratt Homes South Wales, has secured 16 properties for affordable rent or home ownership under a 'Try before you buy' initiative. Six 2 bedroomed flats have been let and the remaining ten properties are due for completion early in 2012.
Future projects
Other projects planned over the next two years include:
- Pencoedtre Farm, Barry - 20 new houses
- Coed Castell, Bridgend - Phase 2 consisting of 23 houses and flats
- West Shore, Conwy - 12 new houses
- Severnside Yard, Newtown - up to 50 apartments, including retirement accommodation
- Denbighshire - two schemes including accommodation for people with learning disabilities
- Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan - 30 units
- West Cardiff - 18 houses
- Glan Y Don, Flintshire - 60 houses
Nikki Cole, Head of Development, adds "While family housing is a major area of strength and expertise for WWHA, we also work in partnership with local authorities across Wales to meet the needs of local people with learning difficulties and autism.
"We relish the opportunity to provide housing solutions to meet a wide variety of housing requirements."
"Grant funding to assist the development of new social housing is limited; however, the Association has been successful in securing funding to help develop a range of housing opportunities across our area of operation."
Rural Communities
The lack of affordable homes in rural communities in Wales is a major issue. People are forced to leave the place where they may have been born and brought up in. The shortage threatens the social and economic sustainability of many rural communities.
Rural Housing Enabler (RHE)
The Rural Housing Enabler works with communities, offering independent advice and support, acting as a facilitator or “honest broker”.
Working in partnership
Wales & West Housing Association works with Rural Housing Enablers and supports them together with other housing associations, Powys County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government. As independent brokers Rural Housing Enablers can help to establish good working relations between rural communities and Wales & West Housing Association, which will result in developing much needed affordable homes for those communities.
Affordable Housing
Homes below market price are made available to meet local needs, through either rent, purchase of a combination of both.
Action
The Rural Housing Enabler can assist rural communities to develop local partnerships, identify possible development sites and assess local housing need. The enabler offers assistance through the planning process to landlords and the Community Council to ensure inclusion and full participation in an open process.
Local Needs
Occupation of housing provided through this process will be limited to local people who meet local connection criteria set by the planning authority.
For more information please contact:
Susie Abson
Mid Powys Rural Housing Enabler
PO Box 44
Brecon
LD3 3BH
07825 145453
susie.hobby@powys.co.uk
Henk Jan Kuipers
North Powys Rural Housing Enabler
PO Box 138
Welshpool
SY21 1AP
01938 551308 / 07917 172854
RHENorthPowys@gmx.co.uk
David James