Ever greener homes of the valleys

Wales & West Housing Association (WWHA) is looking to push the boundaries of affordable – and sustainable – housing with a number of targeted developments

“Developing more high quality, affordable and sustainable homes for people in Wales is a major priority for WWHA,” said chief executive Anne Hinchey.

To show that it’s not all talk in these matters, the organisation is currently engaged on a £41 million development programme much of which is pushing the boundaries of eco-friendly housing. The aim of its so-called ‘super green’ homes is to exceed the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) benchmark of level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The first of these homes is due for completion in April in St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, and will meet level 4 of the Code.

“Our development at Gileston Road, St Athan, is on course to be one of the first social housing developments in Wales to achieve level 4 of the Code, the Welsh Assembly Government’s system for measuring energy efficiency and environmental impact of new housing,” said Hinchey. “In addition to
pioneering ultra-green methods of construction it will provide much-needed good quality affordable housing for low income families in the St Athan area.”

St Athan consists of 16 affordable homes – 14 houses and two flats. The walls and floors for the new houses were manufactured in a factory, with all of the insulation and service ducts already incorporated, and then these components were assembled on site by the contractors, Lovell. Using these structurally insulated panels also reduced build time. The homes will feature air source heat pumps as well as underfloor heating and other energy efficiency measures, such as mechanical ventilation, which recovers ‘wasted’ heat from kitchens and bathrooms.

According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the air source heat pump alone can save householders around £870 a year on heating bills and reduce carbon emissions by up to six tonnes. Code level three, supported by the WAG means a home is 25 per cent more energy efficient than most new homes, while a level 4 home is over 40 per cent more energy efficient.

“The Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to zero-carbon housing means that housebuilders and housing associations must rise to the challenge of delivering homes which can achieve the higher level of the Code for Sustainable Homes,” said Nick Kurobasa, regional director of Lovell.

Wales & West Housing Association also has a second level 4 development underway at Brongarth, Brecon, with contractor Pendragon, to create nine affordable family homes. A further key development is the organisation’s bid to develop a 54 acre site known as The Mill – formerly the site of the Arjo Wiggins Ely Paper Mill – in Cardiff.

“This is a unique development opportunity that will provide not only new, highly innovative and sustainable housing for both the affordable and open market but which will also create a community that will embrace the philosophy of a global village,” said Nikki Cole, WWHA’s head of development.

The site is owned by WAG and WWHA is working with Barratt Homes and Linc Cymru on its bid to redevelop the site. Cole added: “Our overarching strategy is to enable residents to reduce their carbon footprint through sustainable living and not just the build process. If we are chosen as preferred partners by WAG, we very much look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead. We have been working together for two years on this project and we can offer all the benefits of a strong relationship backed by years of expertise.”

Currently, WWHA is working across seven local authority areas on 10 schemes that are either already on site or due to begin. These include familysized affordable housing schemes, but also more specialised schemes, such as its first Extra Care scheme at Nant y Mor, Prestatyn, or supported living
schemes for people with autism.

Hinchey added: “While family housing is a major area of strength and expertise for WWHA, we also work in partnership with local authorities across Wales to meet the needs of local people with special requirements such as autism. We relish the opportunity to provide housing solutions to meet a wide variety of housing requirements.”