Developing high quality homes

• Project name: County Flats Innovative Refurbishment & New Build
• Lead organisation: Tai Tarian Ltd

Statement of support

County Flats is a mixture of a re-development scheme where our existing blocks of two-bedroom apartments are being refurbished with energy saving measures along with new windows and external fabric, and a new build scheme consisting of 53 brand new apartments being built onto the existing blocks. The new build apartments will consist of a brand-new block of 20 x one beds and “bolt on” smaller blocks of between two and six properties integrated into the existing blocks. The development will increase the total number of properties from 72 properties to 127.

Preliminary data identified a shortage of one bed apartments in the Port Talbot area, and this development directly addresses that need. Once used by the BBC for filming in ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ as an area that had the appearance of depravation, these blocks have undergone a massive transformation following £14 million investment to regenerate, build new and improve not only the building but the community as a whole within which they reside.

The project exemplified innovation through a hybrid approach combining retrofit and newbuild techniques, integrating both traditional and cutting-edge construction methods. Locally sourced Welsh Wool and blown wood fibre insulation were employed to enhance thermal performance while supporting sustainable, low-carbon materials. 

Modern Methods of Construction were central to delivery, including volumetric modular units and 2D panelised systems, which accelerated build time and improved quality control. These units were built locally through working in partnership with Seven Oaks Modular at their production unit in Neath and being less than five miles from the County Flats development this also reduced the carbon footprint of transportation.

Renewable technologies were seamlessly incorporated, with Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) paired with battery storage and photovoltaic panels to create a highly energy-efficient solution.

Tai Tarian’s commitment to sustainability is embedded in the County Flats development through a holistic approach that balances environmental responsibility with social cohesion. The unique challenges of high-density living with shared external facilities required an innovative tailored allocation strategy to foster harmony and reduce potential conflict. 

The innovative allocation strategy has been taken by working in a partnership approach to the applicant assessment process with the local authority’s homelessness assessment prevention support service (HAPSS) and follows three stages:

• Application assessment via nominations and bidding
• Review group meetings with stakeholders to discuss assessments
• Meet and greet open days to enable stakeholders to meet applicants and assess suitability to the development.

This partnership working is in aim to assist with alleviating homelessness in the borough, involving stakeholders in pre-tenancy workshops, applicant review groups, and meet-and-greet sessions. Weekly reviews with stakeholders ensure a collaborative and responsive allocation process.

The development’s location—an area previously impacted by anti-social behaviour—has been transformed into a thriving community with access to public transport, local amenities, and green spaces. Weekly stakeholder reviews and staggered allocations further reinforce a sustainable, inclusive living environment that promotes fairness, opportunity, and long-term wellbeing.

This narrative emphasises sustainability not just in environmental terms, but also in how County Flats nurtures a resilient, socially connected community. Following the finalisation of Phase 1 of the development Tai Tarian have now seen an increase in bidding demand for these properties by a staggering 300 per cent, and no more filming requests from the BBC!!

Outcomes and achievements

Throughout the construction process there has been £15,000 in donations to community projects as well as other community benefits. We have held ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ days inviting not only residents of the County Flats but the existing neighbouring properties close by. These days are supported and facilitated by the Community Fire Safety Team (MWWFS), the local authority refuse and recycling teams together with the local PCSOs and Tai Tarian staff, giving the community an opportunity to meet and grow.

Feedback received from the new occupants:

• “Excellent location and ideal for single persons requirements.”
• “The property is a lot more energy efficient than my previous one, I am not paying half as much in energy costs.”
• “I am paying less than half for gas/electric than I was in my previous home.”
• “I moved here from a two-bedroom social housing property and downsized to a one bedroom. All I can say is wow, the finish of the properties and the size of these new builds are amazing. I have more storage in this one bed property than I did in my two bed, plus I don’t spend as much on energy as I did previously with all the energy saving measures here.”

• Project name: Tir Coed, Gwersyllt
• Lead organisation: Wales & West Housing

Statement of support

• “I can’t believe this wonderful dream has happened,” says Tir Coed resident Andrew. 

Tir Coed Gwersyllt, Wrexham, welcomed its first residents in October 2024. 

A high-quality energy efficient development delivered by Wales & West Housing (WWH) and partners to help tackle local housing need. 

A Shelter Cymru report in 2025 highlighted that there are almost 3,000 households on the waiting list for a home in Wexham. Tir Coed provides 23 general needs homes and is made up of one, two and three bed apartments, bungalows and houses. The development has been carefully designed in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council to offer a mix of homes, and has welcomed families, retired people, couples, single people and single parent families. A key concept of the development was to provide a natural extension to Gwersyllt village. 

Tir Coed was built on land at the former Woodlands Farm. Part funded by Welsh government social housing grant it was completed by WWH long term contract partner Castlemead Group. The energy efficient homes were built with off-site manufactured sustainable timber frames which helped to reduce construction waste and reduce the number of material deliveries to site. The timber frame for the homes was pre-manufactured and insulated in individual cassettes within a factory setting and installed together on site to complete the full structure, prior to the roof truss install. The use of timber frame reduces the build time overall against more traditional construction methods. 

The environmentally considered design included an onsite reptile mitigation scheme for great crested newts, and a sustainable drainage system. The design encourages wildlife and biodiversity providing colour all year round. Due to site topography, the site required 130 linear meters of gabion basket retaining walls which also helps support local wildlife.

The innovative all-electric homes have been designed to be highly energy efficient EPC A with: 

• Air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water 
• Latest MVHR systems that circulate fresh air and reduce condensation 
• Solar photo-voltaic panels 
• 100 per cent low energy light fittings 
• The contractor Castlemead were procured through WWH’s innovative ‘Long Term Contractors Framework’ ensuring their involvement during the detailed design stage resulted in an efficient and high-quality build. 

The development work at Tir Coed has had a positive impact on its local community. Several community benefits have been delivered with WWH partners Castlemead, including education events and apprenticeship opportunities for four apprentices across a variety of trades. 

Alongside supporting education and employment, materials have been donated to “The Land”. This is a junk playpark for local young people to enjoy, and which stops unnecessary waste going to landfill which is an added benefit. 

Andrew and Steven Benton say moving into a two-bed bungalow at Tir Coed “will change everything”. 

They have been WWH residents for several years but received devastating news four years ago that Andrew was terminally ill with a brain tumour. 

He had a stroke and a fall while living at their previous home, a first-floor apartment. Now they have ground level access and extra space their quality of life will improve. 

Steven works three days a week and says he will have peace of mind in their new home. 

• “When I’m working, I can’t always be there which limited what Andrew could do. When we were in the flat, he couldn’t get out. 
• “Now we are on the ground floor and have a garden Andrew will be able to get outside without me worrying about him falling or tripping on any steps.”

Outcomes and achievements

Tir Coed has had a positive impact within the local community. Over 50 Wrexham residents have been homed in:

• 10 three bed semi-detached homes 
• Six two bed semi-detached homes 
• Two two bed semi-detached bungalows 
• One detached bungalow 
• Four one bed apartments. 

The all-electric homes are designed with modern energy efficient technologies and are all EPC A. They were built using modern innovative construction methods to speed up delivery time. The development featured several sustainable environmental features as part of the design and build. 

Tir Coed has led to four educational events being supported:

• Dragons Den event at Ysgol Bryn Alyn 
• Year 11 mock interviews at Maelor School with Careers Wales 
• Careers Wales Career Fair at the Ramada Hotel 
• Gwersyllt Primary School children visited the site prior to residents moving in to hear from the site team and learn about construction. 

34 weeks of apprenticeship work delivered for four apprentices: 

• Carpenter 
• Bricklayer 
• Plumber 
• Electrician.

The high-quality new homes have been positively received and are proving to be warm, safe and comfortable for its residents. 

“It will be better in every way,” Resident Alicja who moved from another property in Gwersyllt to a semi-detached house in Tir Coed.

• Project name: Chartist Garden Village: Excellence in Design, Delivery, and Community Impact
• Lead organisation: Pobl Group
• Partner organisation: Caerphilly County Borough Council

Statement of support

Pobl Group, in partnership with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Lovell Partnerships, has delivered Chartist Garden Village in Pontllanfraith: a flagship development that demonstrates how building high quality homes can meet acute housing need while also driving innovation and delivering wider community benefits. 

Meeting local housing need 

Blackwood and Pontllanfraith are areas of high housing demand, with hundreds of households on the waiting list for one and two-bedroom homes. Chartist Garden Village delivered 123 homes across a carefully balanced tenure mix: 44 for social rent (including 14 almshouse apartments for older persons and a four-bedroom home adapted for a disabled child), 43 for shared ownership, and 36 for market sale. In total, 70 per cent of the homes are affordable, far above the required level, giving local families the security, affordability, and choice they need. 

This delivery directly reflects the housing needs identified by Caerphilly CBC, ensuring the right homes were built in the right place. The inclusion of bespoke house types — such as almshouse-style apartments and a three-bedroom bungalow — shows how the scheme was tailored to older residents, smaller households, and families. 

Innovation in design and construction 

Chartist Garden Village set new standards in both design and sustainability. The development was inspired by the arts and crafts ethos of garden villages, creating homes of character and quality within tree-lined streets and landscaped spaces. 

Sustainable drainage was a defining feature: rain gardens, swales, and ponds were integrated into the masterplan, shaping the layout and doubling as play and amenity space. The site is recognised as an exemplar of SuDS design and delivery in Wales. 

A fabric-first construction approach ensured that homes achieved low U-values and airtightness, reducing fuel bills and tackling fuel poverty. Every property with a private drive was fitted with EV charging infrastructure, preparing residents for a low-carbon future. 

Innovation was also evident in the range of house types. Bespoke designs and the almshouse apartments were created specifically for this site to work with the topography, respect heritage assets, and meet local housing demand. 

Partnership working 

Partnership was at the heart of success. Pobl and Caerphilly Council worked hand in hand, with strong political and officer support throughout. Early engagement with the SAB team, planning officers, and the local community shaped the design and ensured smooth approvals. 

The area generally requires that 25 per cent affordable housing is delivered, but through partnership working the scheme far exceeded this, delivering 70 per cent affordable homes while maintaining financial viability. 

Community benefits 

Chartist Garden Village delivered more than just homes. It created jobs and training opportunities through local contractors and suppliers. Its proximity to Blackwood town centre supports sustainable commuting and boosts the local economy. 

The project also strengthened social infrastructure. The Grade II listed war memorial was retained and celebrated at the heart of the site, framed by new homes and public spaces. Landscaped areas, natural play spaces, and safe pedestrian routes encourage healthy living and social connection. 

Working with Lovell, the project supported primary and secondary schools through educational activities, workshops, careers events, and mock interviews; provided funding and support for local sports clubs including Cefn Fforest FC, Blackwood RFC and Blackwood Cricket Club; and engaged community groups such as the local scout group, WI and Gwent Wildlife Trust. 

Conclusion 

Chartist Garden Village is a leading example of how building high quality homes can go beyond bricks and mortar. By directly meeting housing need, driving design and construction innovation, and maximising community benefit, Pobl and Caerphilly CBC have created a development that sets new benchmarks for housing delivery in Wales.

Outcomes and achievements

• Delivered 123 high-quality homes, including 87 affordable homes (70 per cent of total), exceeding planning obligations and giving local people secure, modern options across a range of tenures. 
• Tenure mix: 44 homes for social rent (including 14 almshouse apartments for older persons and a 4-bedroom home adapted for a disabled child), 43 for shared ownership, and 36 for market sale. 
• Recognised as an exemplar for sustainable drainage, with rain gardens, swales and ponds integrated into the design. 
• Applied a fabric-first approach to construction, reducing energy use and lowering household bills. 
• Installed EV charging infrastructure, future-proofing homes for a low-carbon future. 
• Retained and enhanced the Grade II listed war memorial, with heritage central to the design of the new community. 
• Introduced almshouse-style apartments and bespoke house types tailored to local needs and site topography. 
• Delivered community benefits including school engagement, careers events, workshops, and support for sports clubs, community groups, and other local organisations. 
• Established a distinctive, inclusive neighbourhood built to last, showing how innovation and partnership can meet housing need while delivering long-term value for the community.

• Project name: Plas Alltran Redevelopment
• Lead organisation: Isle of Anglesey County Council
• Partner organisations: Cadw, Welsh Government (Social Housing Grant, Transforming Towns) Housing Services

Statement of support

Plas Alltran is a Grade II Listed gothic-style building located at the gateway to Holyhead, adjacent to the port and train terminal. Once a proud landmark, it had fallen into severe disrepair and was identified by Cadw as a Building at Risk in 2001 and Victorian Society listed it in 2020 among the ten most endangered buildings in England and Wales. Subject to vandalism, anti-social behaviour, and structural decay for over 20 years, it no longer reflected the dignity of Holyhead’s heritage or welcomed visitors to Anglesey.

Planning services, housing and environmental health services within the council received regular complaints from the local community, with Councillors requesting action. Services such as Fire and Police were called regularly due to fires and anti-social behaviour. The determination of the empty homes team was instrumental in securing Plas Alltran. Despite the property's complex ownership history, the team went to extraordinary lengths to trace and correspond with the previous owner in South Korea. Their persistence led to a successful purchase by agreement, avoiding the lengthy and costly Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process— demonstrating both innovation and commitment to preserving heritage while responding to community concerns.

Housing services undertook a bold and sensitive restoration, transforming it into four high-quality, energy-efficient one-bedroom homes for single and two-person households, meeting a critical housing need while preserving a cherished piece of local history.

The project was delivered over two years in partnership with: Recclesia (historic building conservation specialists), Hulley & Kirkwood (M&E specialists), Caulmert (structural engineers) and BTP Architects.

Appreciation and pride from the community was demonstrated during Cadw’s Open Doors Event in September 2024 with over 100 people attending from Holyhead and across Anglesey, who shared their memories of the building. They recognised old details in the layout, recalled which floor they had lived on, and even brought photographs showing the original wallpaper. Some spoke fondly of their own time there, while others passed on stories they had heard from their parents. Some remembered attending a dance school within its walls, while many more told us how they had always longed to step inside this striking building—one that, for as long as they could remember, had stood in disrepair.

Outcomes and achievements

Original slate tiles, staircases, fireplaces, and woodwork were retained and restored, with lost features like cornices and mouldings faithfully replicated. A Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system was installed to improve energy efficiency while preserving listed windows. Internally, insulated lime plaster enhances heat retention and reduces emissions.

Sustainability was prioritised through reuse of original materials, bird nesting boxes, and sustainable drainage systems. The project aligns with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, promoting biodiversity and long-term community benefit.

Socially, the building was removed from Cadw’s Buildings at Risk Register and now provides four affordable homes in a central urban location. The development tackled anti-social behaviour and restored pride in a local landmark. A Friends of Plas Alltran Committee was formed, and a blue plaque will honour Captain John Fox Russell VC MC, born there in 1893.

Collaboration was key: The empty homes team traced the previous owner in South Korea, avoiding a Compulsory Purchase Order. Planning, conservation, and regeneration officers coordinated approvals, with funding from the Welsh government and Cadw.

Plas Alltran exemplifies excellence in restoration, innovation in energy efficiency, and deep respect for community and history.