A local housing association has handed over the keys to new residents of a development of 16 affordable, sustainable homes in the picturesque village of Gaerwen in Anglesey.
North Wales Housing partnered with Anglesey Council to deliver the £2.9m Stad Maes Rhydd scheme which has been designed to help meet the desperate need for affordable homes in rural areas.
The new development comprises 10 two-bedroomed homes, two three-bedroomed homes and four much-needed one-bedroom apartments.
Sustainability has been prioritised throughout the development and the partners have taken a ‘fabric first’ approach to create highly-insulated homes which will retain warmth.
As Gaerwen is not connected to mains gas, low carbon electric air source heat pumps and roof mounted Photovoltaics solar panels have been installed. Residents moving into their new homes will enjoy lower energy bills and have been given training and support in how to use their pumps.
One of the aims of the development was to enable local people to put down roots in the area which is experiencing a shortage of affordable homes.
It has been built on a rural exception site. Such sites allow small developments of affordable homes to be built on land that wouldn’t usually be used for residential properties.
Being in such close proximity to Gaerwen village centre, Stad Maes Rhydd is well served by local amenities and is close to the A55 Expressway connecting to Llangefni, Holyhead and Bangor. It is also hoped that residents can benefit from close proximity to local employment opportunities.
Lauren Eaton-Jones, Assistant Director of Commercial at North Wales Housing, said: “These homes have been built with local communities in mind. Engaging with local residents was a key part of the process so we are confident that this new development will go some way to meeting the village’s needs.
“It’s a thrill to see people moving into their new homes and to know that this coming autumn and winter they will benefit from more affordable energy and homes built with energy-efficiency in mind.
“Strong partnership working has also been key to the success of this scheme and it’s been a pleasure to work with Anglesey Council on bringing these much-needed, affordable homes to Gaerwen.”
North Wales Housing colleagues were also supported by the Rural Housing Enabler to bring local people into the process and confirm need in the area.
Anglesey Council’s Housing portfolio holder, Councillor Alun Mummery, added: “We are pleased to be able to work in partnership with North Wales Housing to provide more new affordable homes on the Island. Young people and families are really struggling to put down roots in their communities and build a life here. Small, energy efficient and affordable schemes like Stad Maes Rhydd are vital to the sustainability and future of our villages.”
“It is a pleasure to see residents moving into their new homes and we hope they thrive in this new community.”
The homes are rated ‘A’ in their energy efficiency, well above the Welsh Government requirements to meet the target of net zero by the end of 2030. Additionally, preparations have been made to add an electric charging point for vehicles in future.
