£5.4m plan to build 48 affordable new homes
AN affordable housing development will see 48 new homes created for local people in Bridgend.
Partnership housing specialist Lovell will start construction this summer on the new development for Hafod Housing.
Lovell has been selected by Hafod to deliver the £5.4m design-and-build scheme, developed in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, which will see much-needed new social rented homes take shape on land off Coychurch Road, just south-east of the town centre.
The development will create energy-efficient homes for a range of residents from single people to couples and families.
They will comprise 24 one and two-bedroom flats; a three-bedroom bungalow and 23 two, three and four-bedroom houses.
Homes will meet sustainability standards equivalent to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The site, once occupied by the Bridgend Town AFC football ground, is earmarked for residential development in the Bridgend County Borough Council Local Development Plan.
The scheme has received Welsh Government funding in the form of Social Housing Grant and Housing Finance Grant.
Building work is set to start in June with the overall scheme due for completion in summer 2018.
Alongside the new housing, Lovell will join with Hafod to provide job and training opportunities for the local community including three apprenticeships, six jobs, seven paid traineeships and 150 hours of work experience placements.
The scheme will also enable 15 residents to gain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme card, an essential qualification for working on construction sites.
Hafod has invested more than £12m in new homes in the county borough in the past five years and currently owns and manage over 1,000 homes locally.
Hafod Housing managing director Alan Morgan said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lovell, Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Government to provide much-needed affordable homes in this area where there is high demand.
“The site is ideally located close to the town centre and local amenities and it’s very rewarding to know that the build will deliver highquality, modern homes and provide real benefits to the local community including employment and training opportunities.
“It will also help Welsh Government reach its target to deliver 20,000 affordable homes over the next five years.”