Pen yr Enfys can now be contacted at;
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Canton,
Cardiff
CF5 1JB

Telephone : 029 2038 8715

A partnership between Newport City Council, the Seren Group and the Welsh Government completely transformed the former Council led homeless scheme. With the help of Capital Grant funding from the Welsh Government, the building was transformed within a 14 month period as part of a £1.7 million refurbishment.

Director, Darrell Bolton said, “Everyone involved in delivering the vision for Clifton Place can take great pride in what has been achieved. It has been a long journey but yet again, the strength of the Group’s partnership with the City Council and the Welsh Government has delivered high quality accommodation for people who really need it”.

The Sustainable Housing Awards were organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication, Sustainable Housing. This is the fourth year that the Sustainable Housing Awards have taken place and the calibre of submissions was extremely high. Mariner’s Quay beat off stiff competition from more than 140 entrants from all around the country.

Mariner’s Quay is the largest residential scheme in Wales built to level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. There to collect the awards were representatives from the Seren Group, along with its partners, Leadbitter Group, Davis Langdon, Powell Dobson Architects, R V W Consulting, Hoare Lea, Asbri Planning, Anthony Jellard Associates, Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited and the Welsh Government.

Darrell Bolton, Corporate Director said, “We are delighted that Mariners Quay has received the recognition it so richly deserves. What has been achieved would not have been possible without the shared vision and commitment of our partners to create homes of the future here in Newport. Sustainability remains at the forefront of both the housing and political agenda and working in partnership we will continue to innovate and deliver high quality, sustainable homes.”

Neil Barber, assistant director of Fairlake, part of the Group, said: “We clearly recognise the importance of this site within Alway.”

“We want to build upon the good work that the council and the community have undertaken in recent years and we look forward to fully consulting on the proposals in due course.”

Councillor David Hando, cabinet member for social services and housing, said: “This is the dawn of a new era for this site and, hopefully, in the future it will again be used for the benefit of people in Newport.

“Ladyhill was closed as it was unsuitable for the sort of day activities we wanted to provide for vulnerable and older people in the 21st century. We have transformed such services, creating a wider range of opportunities tailored for their particular needs.”

The climate we are working in is challenging and constantly changing – more than ever we know that all parts of the Group have an important role to play in providing much needed housing and support.

We hope you enjoy reading and would love to hear what you think.

Download our Annual Review here: Annual Review 2010/11

The aim of the new project, the Welsh Housing Partnership, is to increase the supply of quality affordable homes to families who can’t afford to buy their own homes. The Partnership will offer long term quality rental packages to tenants keen to rent one of these affordable homes in north or south Wales.

Ian Williams, Chair of the Welsh Housing Partnership Board explains: “In this pilot scheme, supported by the Welsh Government and Principality Building Society, the Welsh Housing Partnership aims to buy around 150 homes to rent during its first year, predominantly two bedroom houses. We believe that by working together and sharing our extensive experience in housing, we can deliver quality affordable rented houses to people living in south and north Wales. We hope to build on a great foundation that will see more and more people living in quality rented accommodation across Wales.”

20 year old Charlotte Awcock, an Insurance Underwriter for a company in Cardiff is the Welsh Housing Partnership’s first tenant. Born and bred in Newport, Charlotte is delighted that she has been successful in obtaining a quality rented affordable home in Orchard Gardens, Newport. The timing of the tenancy is especially momentous as she is expecting her first child in a few months time and the modern two bedroomed mid-terrace house will be ideally suited to her.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the new house and I consider myself very lucky to be the first tenant of this scheme. A few weeks ago, I was living in a top floor flat, and was not looking forward to climbing up the stairs with a newborn baby in a pram. After 3 years on the affordable housing register I am thrilled to be settling down in this lovely estate, and setting up home for me and, my soon to be, first born child.”

The £16million project has been financed through a combination of £3million of Welsh Government grant funding, a £12million loan from Principality Building Society’s Commercial Division and £1million of equity finance from the investors in the Welsh Housing Partnership.

To find out more, visit http://www.welshhousingpartnership.co.uk/

“Working with the NPT has really broadened my horizons and given me so much knowledge and understanding of anti social behaviour, legislation, housing management and community issues. Working with the team has been brilliant, the social side has really helped me to learn and be more confident in myself.

I want to continue in a professional role and gain more experience and training, I now feel I know more about what options are available to me.

I would like to thank everyone in the team and across the company for mentoring me and helping me. I think I will even miss John’s Christmas cracker jokes!”

Kate Aspinwall, Steps to Work Manager says, “It was great working with you Joe, well done for all your success with Charter”

John Priday, Joe’s manager adds, “When we first interviewed Joe I knew he would fit into the team and it was great to give him the opportunity to get back to work, he’s been a real asset. He has progressed so far in the last 6 months. I am delighted to give Joe an excellent work reference and wish him the very best of luck with his next step.”

The first 12 shared ownership homes have been delivered in Newport at Foxglove Meadows, via planning agreement negotiated with Newport City Council. Over the next three years the plan is to build 100 new homes for first-time buyers across four development sites.

Darrell Bolton, Corporate Director, Fairlake said “We are aware of the demand from first time buyers who are unable to meet their home ownership aspirations because of the need for a larger deposit. We talk to many people who have smaller deposits of between £3,000 to £10,000 but this is simply not enough in the open market”.

Head of Principality Commercial, Peter Hughes, said “Affordable, low cost home ownership solutions has long been on the agenda of the Welsh Government and delivering on this agenda is at the heart of the Principality.”

So, how are we doing? Take a look at our brochure, and if you would like to know more, please contact our 50 and up lead person, Darrell Bolton – darrell.bolton@fairlake.co.uk