Wales’ Largest Eco Housing Development gets Thumbs-Up from Minister
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 developed on the city’s regenerated waterfront, is being built to level five of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH). This will be the largest of its kind in Wales and one of only a handful to achieve a level five rating across the UK.
The development, which has been named Mariners 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.
Constructed by Leadbitter Group 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. In total around 1500 new properties will be built in the Old Town Dock area, with the 101 being built for the Seren Group being allocated as affordable housing.
This is part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy 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.
As the largest sustainable development at code level five in Wales, a significant proportion of the energy required to power the homes will be produced on site. The Code has been adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government as the preferred tool to assess how sustainable development is being implemented in new homes in Wales and ranges from levels one to six. The Code looks at factors such as energy and CO2, water, waste and pollution.
When complete, properties at the development will benefit from substantially reduced energy bills, which could be as low as £2 per week per household. This is partly thanks to an on-site energy centre, which includes a biomass boiler that burns woodchip fuel and will produce much of the power required for the development, and rainwater harvesting technology.
Bob Hutchings, Chair of Seren Group, said: "The Mariners 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."
Says Bob Rendell, Chief Executive of the Leadbitter Group: "Leadbitter is proud to be building this extremely important development on behalf of the Seren Group. We are committed to engaging with and supporting the communities within which we work and are therefore delighted to be helping the Seren Group fulfil its vision of developing low cost, energy efficient housing that will contribute towards creating a sustainable modern community in the heart of Newport’s heritage regeneration area."
Once built, the properties at Mariners Quay will be available on a tenure neutral basis. This means that the homes will both be available to rent through Seren’s housing arm, Charter Housing, and to buy through the shared equity scheme operated by their development arm Fairlake. Whether the resident chooses to buy or rent is dependent on their individual circumstances.
This builds on the cutting edge work Seren Group and Newport City Council have undertaken to implement the Assembly’s vision of neutral tenure in Wales.
Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies, said: "When we look at a scheme like Mariners Quay, it’s clear how much more we can achieve by working together rather than on our own. While we recognise the traditions that made Newport what it is today, the city is being transformed, and it’s Mariners Quay’s future residents who will really see the benefits of the transformation, which is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. I look forward to coming back when the development is complete, to meet the first tenants as they move in."
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.
Admiral announces plans to move to new city centre office in Newport
12/01/12
Admiral Group plc has announced provisional plans to take a 20-year lease on a new 77,000 sq ft office building in
The new development will form part of Scarborough Development Group’s redeveloped Cambrian Centre in Queensway, opposite
Huw Llewellyn, head of property for Admiral Group, said, "Since we opened our first office in
"The new location in Queensway should be much better for our current employees and any future new recruits in
Admiral currently employs 450 people in two offices at
Newport City Council leader, Councillor Matthew Evans, said: "This announcement is a great start to the new year and also a wonderful boost to the physical regeneration of
"I am absolutely delighted they see
"It is a positive acknowledgement by
Councillor Ed Townsend, cabinet member for regeneration, added: "It is brilliant news that Admiral wants to locate into
"This investment is a massive boost for
Admiral’s move comes as further developments are taking place in
The move into the redeveloped Cambrian Centre is subject to terms being finalised between Admiral and the developer, Scarborough Development Group. Huw Thomas who acted for Admiral in the negotiations commented, "We have undergone a very thorough exercise to procure a quality building in the right location which will allow Admiral to grow their business in
