Sustainable social homes for residents in Bridgend

AN AFFORDABLE housing development will see 48 new homes built for local people in Bridgend.

Partnership housing specialist Lovell will start construction this summer on the new development for Hafod Housing.

Lovell was selected by Hafod to design and build the £5.4m scheme, developed in partnership with Bridgend 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 residents ranging 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 the Bridgend Town AFC ground, is earmarked for residential development in the council’s 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 and Hafod will 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 manages more than 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.”

Lovell regional managing director Kate Rees said: “Ensuring that the benefits of our developments extend as widely as possible into local communities is an important part of our approach and we are therefore excited to be working with Hafod to provide important job and training opportunities for local people through the construction scheme.”