THE Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan, MP, Secretary of State for Wales visited Wales & West Housing Association properties in Powys yesterday on a fact-finding mission about social housing provision in the area.
Meeting residents at the Brongarth and Cwrt Conway affordable housing developments in Brecon, Mrs Gillan said: "I am very impressed by the work done by Wales & West Housing Association for the social housing sector in Brecon.
"Not only do the residents have modern, practical housing but they are also some of the most eco-friendly and energy efficient new-builds in Wales. The attention to detail and high standards that I have seen today makes all the difference between providing housing and creating homes.
"I want to thank Mrs Isaac and Mrs Thomas for the warm welcomes they gave me when I visited them in their beautiful homes. It is easy to see why they are so happy and take such pride in where they live."
The Secretary of State started her visit at WWHA’s £1.3m ‘super-green’ social housing development in Brongarth, Brecon, where she joined residents in giving the ground-breaking development the thumbs up.
The properties at Brongarth – some of the very first in Wales to reach Level 4 of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Code for Sustainable Development – were built by contractor Pendragon (Design and Build) Ltd on behalf of Wales & West Housing Association (WWHA) in partnership with Powys County Council.
Completed in March this year the 0.28 acre development comprises nine properties, including six flats (4 x one-bed and 2 x two-bed) and three houses (all two-bed).
“These super-green properties incorporate innovative air-source heat pumps which use heat from the atmosphere to warm homes, as well as solar panels on the roof,” said Tony Wilson, Finance Director of Wales & West Housing Association.
“We anticipate that our properties at Brongarth will be at least 40% more energy efficient than standard new homes,” he added.
Currently Level 3 is WAG’s benchmark standard.
Sarah Isaac, 34, who has moved in to Brongarth with her four-year-old son Harry, said: “My new home is lovely – absolutely brilliant.”
Sarah, 34, gave the Secretary of State a guided tour of her new home yesterday.
“I really can’t put it into words how happy I am with it,” said Sarah. “It’s going to be a good home for me and Harry.”
All nine units have been let to local people for affordable rents through WWHA, which also has a further 800 high quality, affordable properties throughout Powys.
Designed by Cardiff-based architects CFW, they stand on the site of a former children’s home which was demolished last year.
“This development shows WWHA’s commitment to providing quality sustainable housing, supporting local supply chains and the construction industry in Wales, and sustainable development,” added Tony Wilson.
The Secretary of State then toured other Wales & West Housing Association schemes in the area before visiting residents at WWHA’s picturesque Cwrt Conway housing for the over 55s scheme by the side of the Brecon Canal.
The Secretary of State enjoyed a tour of two apartments at the very popular scheme and spent half and hour chatting in the sun with residents Mrs Tegwen Thomas and Kenneth and Edith Davies.
“I said to her ‘If I’d know you were coming I’d have baked a cake’,” joked Mr Davies.
“She was very nice. Very down to earth and easy to talk to. She said she loved where we lived and was really impressed with how we look after our properties, and how we grow our flowers. It was a real pleasure to meet her.”
The Welsh Secretary then went to meet army chiefs at Brecon barracks HQ where she paid tribute to the work of the armed forces in Wales.
Picture caption 1: L-R Sarah Isaac, 34, Brongarth resident, The Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan, MP, Secretary of State for Wales, with Tony Wilson, Finance Director, Wales & West Housing Association on the balcony of Sarah’s house in Wales & West Housing Association’s ‘super-green’ development in Brongarth, Brecon, Brecon.
Picture caption 2: L-r Councillor Graham Brown, Board Member for Housing and Public Protection, Powys County Council; John Harrison, WWHA; Wendy Fryzer, WWHA; Tony Wilson, Finance Director, WWHA; Ivor Gittens, Chair of the Board, WWHA; Jenny Williams, WWHA; and Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales. The group are pictured outside Wales & West Housing Association’s Cwrt Conway housing for the over 55s in Brecon.
Picture caption 3: Tony Wilson, Finance Director, WWHA; Ivor Gittens, Chair of the Board WWHA; Jenny Williams, Housing Manager Powys, WWHA; Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales. The group are pictured outside Wales & West Housing Association’s Cwrt Conway housing for the over 55s in Brecon.
For more information about affordable living with Wales & West Housing Association in Powys call freephone 0800 052 2526.
Ends
For all media enquiries, please contact Sarah Manners on 029 20414033, Blackberry 07917 352375, or sarah.manners@wwha.co.uk
Notes to the editor:
Wales & West Housing Association has 9,000 properties across Wales providing quality, affordable homes for more than 25,000 people.
Established in 1965, WWHA employs more than 320 staff, and works in 16 local authorities, making it one of the largest housing associations in Wales.
WWHA is registered as a charitable association under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. No. 21114R.
0 comments:
Post a Comment