Sustainable homes at Mariner’s Quay
The largest sustainable new housing development in Wales received the official seal of approval from the Deputy Housing Minister, Jocelyn Davies, when she visited the site in Newport.
The groundbreaking development, which will see 101 new affordable homes being built on the city’s regenerated waterfront, is being built to level five of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH).
Constructed by Leadbitter Homes for local not-for-profit organisation Seren Group, Mariners Quay is the result of a successful partnership with Newport Unlimited, Newport City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government to provide affordable, high quality, sustainable accommodation in the city.
Part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy is to increase the supply of affordable homes in Wales with funding being provided to help meet the target of 6,500 additional affordable homes in Wales by 2011. This is the largest development of its kind in Wales and will be one of only a handful to achieve a level five rating across the UK.
When complete, properties will benefit from substantially reduced energy bills, which could be as low as £5 per week per household. This is thanks to an on-site energy centre, a biomass boiler which burns woodchip fuel and will produce much of the power required for the development and rainwater harvesting technology.
The development, named Mariner’s Quay, is located in the Old Town Dock area of Newport and will feature one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses. Around 1500 new properties will be built in the area and the 101 being built for the Seren Group will be allocated for affordable housing.
Bob Hutchings, Chair of Seren Group, said: “The Mariner’s Quay development is a really ambitious and high-profile project for us. We are committed to developing a sustainable community within Old Town Dock that will provide social and economic benefits to those that live both within the development and in the surrounding areas.”
Once built, the homes will be both available to rent through Charter Housing or to buy through the fairlakeliving shared equity scheme. Whether the resident chooses to buy or rent will be dependent on their individual circumstances.
Bob Hutchings continues: “With Mariners Quay we are striving to create a community in which people will want to stay and in turn help develop a much more sustainable housing market in Newport. The ultimate aim is to give people real choice over whether they rent or own their home.”
All the properties at Mariners Quay are built to the Lifetime Homes standard and will be around 15% larger than those available on the private market.
To register an interest in a property at Mariners Quay or to find out more please contact the Home Choice Team on 01633 678538
