Excellence in housing innovation

• Project name: Royal Victoria Court, Newport
• Lead organisation: Tirion Homes
• Partner organisations: Lovell Homes, Welsh Government & M&G Investments Ltd.

Statement of support

Royal Victoria Court in Newport is a powerful example of how financial innovation can unlock complex, previously unviable, brownfield land for housing delivery. This ambitious regeneration project has delivered 528 high-quality homes, 50 per cent of which are affordable, without the need for Social Housing Grant. At the heart of this success is a unique and collaborative funding model that brought together public and private sector partners to overcome significant barriers to development.

The site was formerly a large steelworks and its redevelopment posed major delivery challenges. These included high remediation costs, lack of upfront development finance, and significant infrastructure requirements. Traditional development models were not viable due to the financial risk associated with the site preparation and construction phases of the project. Key to unlocking the site was the development of an innovative financing model through a public/private sector partnership. 

Welsh government played a critical enabling role by offering both an initial development loan and a construction guarantee. The development loan funded essential site remediation and enabling works alongside the planning process. The construction guarantee reducing the refinancing risk and enabling the development to proceed. Lovell Partnerships Ltd entered into a development agreement that saw them fund the construction underwritten by the WG Guarantee. Rather than relying on speculative or milestone payments, Lovell received payment on completion and handover of homes. Lovell also purchased land for the delivery of open market homes with the income supporting the delivery of critical infrastructure for the project. This innovative structure ensured delivery risk was effectively managed.

The delivery model developed for Royal Victoria Court has addressed a long-standing challenge in the housing sector. Many regeneration sites are technically feasible but are unviable due to high upfront costs and high development risk making financing impossible. Royal Victoria Court demonstrates how stalled regeneration sites can be brought forward for housing without reliance on traditional grant funding by bridging the funding gap between short-term development and long-term institutional investment. The result is a high-quality, mixed-tenure neighbourhood that has transformed a former industrial site into a thriving residential community. The project has brought environmental, economic and social benefits to Newport, significantly improving quality of life and providing much-needed affordable homes.

The collaborative nature of this project has been central to its success. Tirion Homes, Welsh government and Lovell worked together to create a financial and delivery model that was robust, flexible and outcomes focused. Each partner took on risk in a way that was manageable and clearly defined. The result is a funding model that is both innovative and replicable across other challenging sites in Wales and beyond.

This project has also proven the value of public sector guarantees and loans when used strategically to unlock private investment. Welsh government unlocked a stalled housing project by sharing risk through a partnership. The private sector partners brought delivery expertise and financial commitment through a shared ambition to create a lasting community.

Royal Victoria Court is more than a successful housing scheme. It is an exemplar of innovation, demonstrating how creative financial thinking and strong collaboration can transform complex regeneration challenges into successful, sustainable communities. The lessons learned offer a blueprint for unlocking other stalled regeneration sites, making this project a strong contender for the Excellence in Housing Innovation award.

Outcomes and achievements

Royal Victoria Court has delivered 528 homes, with 50 percent affordable, on a complex brownfield site without Social Housing Grant. This has been achieved through a unique funding structure combining a recyclable Welsh government loan, a public sector construction guarantee, private sector development finance and long-term institutional investment from M&G Investments Ltd.

The Welsh government loan enabled essential remediation and site preparation to begin early, supporting timely planning and delivery. The development was delivered by Lovell, who funded the construction process and received payment on the completed handover of homes. This approach aligned with the institutional refinancing provided by M&G Investments Ltd and removed speculative risk from the development process.

The project has created a vibrant, high-quality mixed-tenure community in a key regeneration area of Newport. It has generated significant social and economic benefits, including job creation, improved housing supply and neighbourhood renewal.

This innovative model is already informing similar schemes and demonstrates a scalable alternative to traditional grant-funded affordable housing delivery. It shows how public-private collaboration and financial creativity can turn unviable land into places where people can thrive.

• Project name: Tai ar y Cyd
• Lead organisation: Welsh Government
• Partner organisations: 24 social landlords

Statement of support

Tai ar y Cyd, which translates to "Homes Together," is a pioneering and collaborative project in Wales aimed at addressing both the housing crisis and the climate crisis. It is a partnership led by 24 Welsh social landlords and supported by Welsh government and key industry players.

The core of the project is the creation of a "pattern book" of standardised house designs. The pattern book provides a library of designs for 15 different house types, with 18 variants, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses and fully accessible bungalows.

The key aspects that define Tai ar y Cyd:

• A collaborative approach: The project is a great example of collaboration in action. It unites over half of Wales's developing social landlords. This collective power sends a clear signal to the construction industry and helps to foster a shared vision.
• Focus on sustainability: The homes in the pattern book are designed to meet rigorous low-carbon performance standards, a ‘basesline’ AECB/Carbonlite and ‘enhanced’ Passivhaus Classic. This "fabric-first" approach prioritis
  es insulation, airtightness, and natural materials to drastically reduce operational carbon emissions and help tenants save significantly on energy bills.
• Leveraging Welsh timber: A central driver is to use far more Welsh-grown timber wherever possible. This not only reduces the embodied carbon but also supports local Welsh forestry, manufacturing, and supply chains, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient local economy.
• Modern Methods of Construction (MMC): The standardised designs are specifically optimised for off-site manufacturing. This approach allows for faster construction times, higher quality control in a factory environment, and a significant reduction in waste and on-site disruption.
• Addressing affordability and quality: By streamlining the design and construction process, Tai ar y Cyd aims to accelerate the delivery of much-needed affordable homes and, over time, drive down costs.

Aggregation of demand

The collaboration of 24 social landlords is a powerful force for scalability.

• Market signal: By working together, the landlords can aggregate their future housing needs into a single, unified pipeline. This creates a significant, long-term market signal for the construction industry and supply chain.
• Supplier confidence: This collective demand gives manufacturers, particularly those specialising in off-site construction and Welsh timber, the confidence to invest in new factories, equipment, and workforce training. They know there will be a consistent flow of work, which is essential for scaling up their operations. This addresses a common barrier to scaling modern methods of construction.

Tai ar y Cyd is scalable because it is designed to be a system, not just a series of projects. By standardising designs, aggregating demand, leveraging modern technology, and building a local supply chain, it creates a robust and repeatable model that can be deployed across the country to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes at a pace and scale that was previously unachievable.

Wood Knowledge Wales is a key Tai ar y Cyd supporter. 'WKKW has advocated the idea of ‘making’ rather than ‘building’ homes and made the case for standardisation in 'Zero Carbon Homes—Zero Carbon Timber Solutions for Wales - Woodknowledge Wales'. 
Driving down whole life carbon means moving away from bespoke projects. To move to manufacturing standardised house types at scale we know integration and collaboration are necessary for success - from timber processing, through off-site timber frame manufacturing, on-site assembly and construction. 

Tai ar y Cyd exemplifies collaboration as a unique landlord collective with a common purpose. They have recognised the importance of bringing contractors, timber framers and sawmills (the timber suppliers) together with designers, engineers and other specialists to design solutions that will work at scale, in different off-site factories and on sites big and small across Wales'.

Outcomes and achievements

Tai ar y Cyd (Homes Together) is still a relatively new initiative, but is building momentum: 

1. Shifting industry thinking 

Creating a "Pattern Book" for sustainable homes: The most tangible outcome has been the creation and launch of a standardised "pattern book" of house designs. 

Fostering collaboration: Nurturing a collaboration of 24 ambitious Welsh social landlords has been a major achievement. 

2. Driving decarbonisation and sustainability

Lowering carbon emissions: The project is establishing agreement to work with to high-performance standards like AECB Carbonlite and Passivhaus Classic.

Promoting Welsh timber and local supply chains: The project actively promotes a "timber first" approach, using Welsh-grown timber wherever possible. 

3. Economic and social benefits

Delivering affordable and efficient homes: The standardised designs and use of off-site manufacturing (Modern Methods of Construction) will make the building process faster and more cost-effective. This will help accelerate the delivery of affordable homes in Wales.

Reducing fuel poverty: The high energy efficiency of these homes will significantly reduce energy bills and provide greater protection from future energy price fluctuations. 

4. Prototyping - 11 of the 24 member landlords have already identified sites to deploy the designs, with over 400 homes in the pipeline. This demonstrates the strong momentum and buy-in for the initiative.

• Project name: Gasworks Site
• Lead organisation: Cardiff Council
• Partner organisation: Wates Residential

Statement of support

On June 20, 2022, Wates was tasked to promptly provide over 200 temporary accommodation units. Initial considerations of static caravans were deemed impractical due to market scarcity. Consequently, Wates engaged various temporary accommodation and modular providers to find the most suitable, swiftly producible, and cost-effective solution, considering factors such as type, specification, manufacturing capacity, resilience, technology maturity, and track record. 

By early July 2022, four primary modular providers were identified and preliminary design proposals were received, with six others considered. Options, site layout, design/ manufacture/ delivery/ installation schedules, and phases were sent to Cardiff for approval, leading to immediate design work. 

The former gasworks site presented significant challenges, including ground contamination risks. Innovative foundation and capping solutions were utilised to limit ground penetration, and non-adopted infrastructure was installed. Cardiff proposed using emergency planning powers to expedite the project, but retrospective planning was still required, ensuring the final designs would fulfill future planning and statutory requirements. The lack of a formal planning process occasionally led to obstacles from external organisations, but entities like Welsh Water, SAB, highways, and the National Grid made significant contributions to project completion. 

The application of modular construction at scale and pace to deliver the clients objectives has been the key factor. Collaboration, adoptability and mutual trust and respect have been critical to the success of the project. 

We asked three manufactures to go from a standing start to bespoke design and manufacture in the space of a few weeks. This required all parties to work differently, undertaking design and costings at accelerated pace and processing. Modular providers and consultants all had to undertake work in parallel rather than sequentially to meet the programme with the added risk of abortive work and reworking. In addition to this the team also had to contend with two major changes to the brief, Welsh government TAP funding became available in August 2022 but this required that all the units with the exception of a small number of one bed units had to be redesigned to meeting WDQR including EPC A. Later in the process Cardiff asked that part of the site be reserved a future warehouse provision, this required a substantial redesign of the site layout and all associated infrastructure and also impacted on the manufacturing and delivery slots for the modular units. This also meant that the number of homes was reduced from 200 to 155. 

Key to the success of the project was also the decision to go with multiple providers. Of the original four identified two dropped out due to cost constraints and a further manufacture was identified to replace them. A multi-provider approach was adopted to ensure security of supply from the risks of failure to deliver too programme or insolvency. The multi-provider approach allowed Wates to switch manufacturing if required to maintain programme, which as it transpired was necessary. The three manufacturers finally selected were: 

• @Home 
• Beatty Passive 
• Daiwa Modular Europe 

By utilising modular homes on a temporary basis, this gave breathing room for more permanent development to be built. We are now able to demount and reuse these homes on other sites to support housing needs. 

As a collaborative partner across all of our schemes with Cardiff, risk was shared on the contract but was predominantly taken by Cardiff due to the accelerated nature. As such we ensured that there was no contingency charged on the project by Wates due to the above risk basis. 

We had a positive response from all three modular providers keen to work with Wates to maximise their delivery of modular homes. It was also a fantastic opportunity to share best practice and work closely on how we can demonstrate to the public the durability, sustainability and high quality nature of these homes.

Outcomes and achievements

The Gasworks site is a pioneering project demonstrating a robust public/private partnership and the construction industry's excellence. It was initiated in response to the intensifying housing crisis in early 2022, initially due to the Ukraine war and later worsened by the cost of living crisis and the private rented sector's increasing cost and decreasing availability. Cardiff Council asked Wates to provide emergency housing for approximately 4,000 refugee families in temporary accommodation at the Gasworks site, available for this purpose for three to five years. Cardiff's primary driver was speed, to rehouse families from unsuitable temporary accommodation and to manage the high operational costs of using hotels and other short-term accommodation. 

Wates proposed modular accommodation built to current building standards and the Council’s “meanwhile” use space standards. They suggested that all modular homes be constructed to be demountable for relocation to other sites as permanent accommodation when the Gasworks site is redeveloped for permanent residential. This approach would provide the council with a permanent asset and high-quality accommodation for residents. Cardiff accepted this proposal, which was further enhanced when Welsh government TAP funding became available. As a result, all homes became WDQR compatible, including EPC A. 

Project delivered:

1. Delivery of high-quality accommodation at speed and pace 
2. Collaborative working with Cardiff Council and other stakeholders at its best 
3. Application of innovative modular construction at scale.

• Project name: Digital Reassurance: From Analogue to Digital
• Lead organisation: Monmouthshire Housing Association
• Partner organisations: TSA, Careium, Orestone

Statement of support

Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) has delivered a bold and innovative transformation of its independent living alarm service, replacing outdated analogue systems with a fully digital solution that enhances tenant safety, independence, and satisfaction. This project tackled a critical housing challenge: the impending retirement of the PSTN network and the limitations of legacy equipment that no longer met the needs of tenants or complied with modern standards.

The solution was not simply a technical upgrade — it was a reimagining of how technology could support wellbeing in independent living schemes. The new system integrates personal alarms and door entry systems using advanced digital platforms, enabling tenants to interact with their environment in safer, smarter ways. For example, residents can now grant access to deliveries remotely via their phones, even when away from home, and benefit from discreet, modern alarm units that blend seamlessly into their living spaces.

Innovation was embedded throughout the project. A cross-disciplinary project group was formed to ensure the new system addressed complex requirements, including fire detection and door entry integration. The organisation partnered with the Telecare Services Association (TSA) to access specialist expertise and co-developed a specification built around TAPPI principles. This specification focused on outcomes for residents with diverse needs, including those with increasing frailty and dementia, rather than just technical features.

The procurement process itself was innovative. By adopting a method statement approach, MHA enabled transparent evaluation of supplier proposals and fostered a collaborative partnership with the chosen providers — Careium and Orestone Controls. Their joint solution combined dispersed alarm units with grouped living functionality, using Intratone door entry systems to deliver flexibility, resilience, and significant cost savings.

Resident involvement was central to the project’s success. Surveys revealed dissatisfaction with the old system, and residents — along with their families — were actively engaged in reviewing options, shaping the specification, and evaluating supplier bids. This co-production ensured the final solution was truly tenant-led and responsive to real-world needs.

Training and support were also prioritised. Staff and residents participated in workshops and hands-on sessions to build confidence and familiarity with the new technology. This inclusive approach helped overcome digital barriers and ensured a smooth transition.
The impact has been substantial:

• 100 per cent of independent living schemes are now digital, future-proofing the service.
• Tenant satisfaction has significantly improved, with residents praising the system’s ease of use, modern design, and enhanced functionality.
• Operational efficiency has increased, with fewer faults and reduced maintenance needs.
• Costs have been reduced by a third, enabling reinvestment into community initiatives and lowering tenant charges.

Feedback from tenants highlights the real difference this innovation has made:

• “I’m happy with both the new alarm and door entry systems. I now accept deliveries via my phone — it works perfectly.”
• “The new unit is modern and unobtrusive. The installation team were excellent — pleasant and considerate.”
• “If I forget my fob, I can still access my door from my phone.”

This project exemplifies innovative collaboration, combining resident voice, supplier expertise, and sector guidance to solve a pressing housing problem. It has not only improved service delivery but also empowered tenants, enhanced wellbeing, and set a new standard for digital transformation in housing.

Looking ahead, MHA is preparing to expand its digital offer further, e.g. AI to support reassurance calls use of apps to track behaviours to create alerts, continuing to safeguard the wellbeing of older tenants and promote independence through smart, inclusive technology.

Outcomes and achievements

MHA's digital transformation of its independent living alarm service has delivered clear and measurable outcomes. All schemes are now fully digital, ensuring future-proofed safety and enhanced tenant experience.

The innovative solution — co-produced with residents and delivered in partnership with Careium and Orestone Controls — has improved functionality, reduced faults, and increased tenant satisfaction. Residents now enjoy features such as remote door access via mobile devices, discreet alarm units, and greater control over their environment.

Tenant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the ease of use, improved reliability, and modern design. The project has also reduced costs by a third, enabling lower tenant charges and reinvestment into wider community support.

Training and engagement have built digital confidence among residents, ensuring the system is accessible and empowering. The collaborative approach — involving residents, families, suppliers, and sector experts — ensured the solution was tailored to real needs and delivered with care.

This transformation has not only solved a critical housing challenge but also enhanced the lives of tenants, demonstrating the power of innovation to drive meaningful change in housing services.

• Project name: Video Triage for Heating Repairs
• Lead organisation: Pobl Group
• Partnership organisation: Help Me Fix

Statement of support

Pobl Group has demonstrated sector-leading innovation and impact through its pioneering use of video triage technology to transform heating repairs and maintenance for residents. Faced with increasing demand on repairs services, high costs associated with emergency call-outs, and the need to improve customer satisfaction, Pobl Group sought a solution that would not only address operational challenges but also enhance the lives of people in the communities it serves.

In early 2025, Pobl Group piloted the Help me Fix video triage platform which connects residents with properties to qualified engineers over a video call, aiming to reduce unnecessary contractor visits, improve diagnostic accuracy, and empower residents to resolve issues more efficiently. The approach was rooted in a collaborative ethos, bringing together residents, contact centre staff, engineers, and technology partners to co-design and refine the service. This partnership ensured that the solution was not only technically robust but also accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse residents. 

The innovation lay not just in the adoption of digital technology, but in the way it was integrated into service delivery. Pobl Group’s contact centre played a pivotal role, carefully triaging cases and guiding residents through the video process. This human-centred approach maximised the effectiveness of the technology, ensuring that those most likely to benefit were supported, while others continued to receive traditional service. The result was a significant reduction in unnecessary emergency call-outs—79 per cent of cases initially reported as emergencies were safely downgraded, allowing resources to be focused where they were truly needed. 

The impact on residents was immediate and profound. With an average wait time of just 35–40 seconds, residents could connect with an expert and, in 35–37 per cent of cases, resolve their heating issue remotely, without the need for a physical visit. This not only delivered convenience and peace of mind but also built residents’ confidence and skills in managing minor issues. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with a satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of five stars and 91 per cent of respondents stating they would use the service again. Residents described the service as “brilliant”, “swift and knowledgeable”, and appreciated the step-by-step guidance that empowered them to solve problems independently. 

The collaborative approach extended beyond residents. Contact centre colleagues valued the opportunity to offer choice and quicker resolutions. The trial also included a second phase, exploring the use of video triage for damp and mould inspections, and engaging surveyors in testing the platform for broader asset management applications. This cross-team collaboration has laid the groundwork for further innovation, with plans to expand video triage into other repair areas and integrate the solution with Pobl’s job management systems for even greater efficiency. 

Financial and environmental benefits have been substantial. The pilot showed huge potential savings for the repairs service, with a return on investment of 1.23 for every £1 spent. By reducing unnecessary travel, the initiative also saved 83.2kg of CO2 emissions, supporting Pobl Group’s commitment to sustainability. 

Pobl Group’s video triage initiative exemplifies how innovative technology, when combined with collaborative working and a relentless focus on customer experience, can deliver lasting improvements for residents, staff, and the wider community. The project’s success has inspired plans for further digital transformation, ensuring that Pobl Group remains at the forefront of housing innovation in Wales.

Outcomes and achievements

The video triage pilot delivered measurable improvements across efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. Over a six-month period, 35–37 per cent of heating issues were resolved remotely, eliminating the need for a physical visit, meaning a speedier and more convenient service for those customers who chose to use this service. Emergency call-outs were reduced by 75–79 per cent, ensuring that urgent resources were reserved for genuine emergencies. Residents benefited from rapid response times (average 35–40 seconds) and rated the service 4.6 out of five stars, with 91 per cent indicating they would use it again. The initiative achieved a 76 per cent utilisation rate among eligible cases, demonstrating strong engagement and acceptance. 

Financially, the project a return on investment of 123.3 per cent. Environmentally, it avoided 83.2kg of CO2 emissions by reducing unnecessary travel. The collaborative approach—engaging residents, staff, and technology partners—ensured the solution was accessible, effective, and scalable. The success of the pilot has led to plans for wider adoption, including expansion into other repair areas and integration with core business systems, positioning Pobl Group as a leader in digital innovation for housing. 

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

Statement of support

Plas Alltran, a Grade II Listed gothic-style building in Holyhead, has undergone a transformative restoration that exemplifies housing innovation through heritage conservation, sustainability, and community impact. Once listed among the Victorian Society’s Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings in England and Wales (2020) and identified by Cadw as a Building at Risk since 2001, Plas Alltran has been reborn as four high-quality, energy-efficient one-bedroom homes—designed to meet local housing needs while preserving the town’s architectural legacy.

Commissioned in 1890–1891 by Jane Henrietta Adeane (O.B.E), Plas Alltran has served multiple roles—from a doctor’s surgery and wartime first aid post to a convalescence home and boarding house. Its prominent location near Holyhead Port and Train Terminal makes it a visual and cultural landmark for thousands of daily visitors. Yet decades of neglect left it vulnerable to vandalism and decay, threatening its future.

The property had been a victim of anti-social behaviour over a prolonged period, planning services, housing and environmental health services within the council received regular complaints from the local community and residents of Holyhead, 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.

The project’s innovation lies in its seamless integration of modern housing standards with strict heritage conservation:

Energy-efficient design:

• Installation of a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, tailored to preserve original windows.
• Use of insulated lime plaster for superior heat retention and low carbon emissions.

Craftsmanship and conservation:

• Original slate tiles and external walls retained.
• Lost architectural features—door mouldings, cornices, stair spindles—were meticulously replicated using traditional methods.

Collaborative excellence:

• Appreciation and pride from the community that the building is being bought and brought back into use by the council. This 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.
• Collaboration with vested groups such as Friends of Plas Alltran and the Victorian Society who desperately wanted the building to be saved.
• Delivered by Isle of Anglesey County Council in partnership with Recclesia (historic conservation), Hulley & Kirkwood (M&E), Caulmert (structural engineering), and BTP Architects.
• Restoration methods approved in close consultation with Cadw.

Outcomes and achievements

The development created four one-bedroom homes for single and two-person households—addressing a critical housing need in Holyhead. The homes are affordable, sustainable, and designed with dignity and wellbeing in mind.

Plas Alltran’s restoration prioritised low-carbon solutions without compromising its heritage value. The MVHR system and lime plaster contribute to long-term energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Testimonials

• “Plas Alltran is a fantastic example of how careful restoration, mindful design and successful partnership working can come together to create sustainable, affordable homes.” Director, BTP Architects
• “This development provides high quality, affordable homes in the heart of the community, while also bringing a treasured local building back into use.” Councillor Robin Wyn Williams, housing portfolio holder
• “The conservation outcomes on this project are exemplary thanks to a cohesive team with the right expertise.” Director, Recclesia

Outcomes 

• Removed from Cadw’s at Risk Register
• Delivered affordable housing in a central, highly visible location
• Preserved a key piece of Holyhead’s heritage
• Demonstrated replicable innovation in combining conservation with modern housing delivery

Plas Alltran is a blueprint for how historic buildings can be redeveloped as sustainable, community-focused housing. It showcases how innovation in design, conservation, and collaboration protect heritage assets while meeting urgent housing needs.