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.

Mariners Quay

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.

Mariners Quay 3

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.

£1Million Funding to Support Newport 'Make-Over' In Run up to Ryder Cup

12/10/09

The Welsh Assembly Government has allocated an additional £1million to fund a number of projects designed to ensure that Newport looks its best for the Ryder Cup 2010.

The funding will be part of the £3.8m City Centre Enhancement Framework, which already includes £2m from Newport Unlimited and £800,000 that was recently announced by the Assembly Government to ensure the iconic Transporter Bridge would be operational in time for the Ryder Cup.

It will enable a range of additional projects to be undertaken and complement the existing programme of work that includes a range of physical and environmental improvements to the City's gateways, landmark structures and key buildings.

In addition to these works, Newport City Council is committing £1m towards a programme of additional projects during the year. This will include a community fund for residents and the city's largest ever programme of events and activities for the Newport Festival 2010.

Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, said the city enhancement programme supported the on-going regeneration of the City and would help create a positive image of the city and bring benefits to residents.

"Newport will be in the media spotlight in the run up to and during the Ryder Cup and it's important that we are able to present a positive image of the City which is why I am pleased to announce this additional funding.

"A considerable amount of investment and work has already been made in the regeneration of Newport and we hope to capitalise on and benefit from the high profile associated with the Ryder Cup.

" We are investing in environmental improvements and the Newport 2010 Festival will ensure the local community has even more reason to celebrate the Ryder Cup year."

The City Enhancement programme is being delivered by Newport City and Council and Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport City Council said:

"This welcome investment in our city will ensure that hosting the Ryder Cup in Newport leaves a permanent legacy that will remain long after the golf has finished.

"It will enable us to bring forward a programme of regeneration works to enhance our city for the residents of Newport and is another example of how hosting the Ryder Cup will benefit residents not just in 2010, but for many years in the future."

Gareth Beer, Newport Unlimited Interim CEO said : "The Ryder Cup is an exciting opportunity for Newport to showcase itself on the world stage and we are all working together to ensure we maximise the potential of this prestigious event".

The First Minister and Heritage Minister will attend a Gala Dinner at the Celtic Manor Resort on 12 October to mark the fact that the Ryder Cup will be played in Wales in year's time. Both Ryder Cup Captains will be present at the event which will look forward to when one of the world's largest sporting events will come to Wales, giving us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote Wales on the word stage.

Newport Unlimited - Urban Regeneration Company