£2.6 million investment into new build social housing in Wrexham

More than £2.6 million has been invested into building new social housing across Wrexham County Borough.

Thirteen hard to let and unpopular properties were demolished in Gwynant, Plas Madoc during 2018 as part of the estate re-modelling project.

Once demolition was completed, the vacant plots were used to develop new homes.

These include 4x one bedroom walk up flats, 2x two bedroom semi-detached houses, 2x three bedroom semi-detached houses, 3x four bedroom detached houses all on Gwynant at Plas Madoc.

Two five bedroom dormer bungalows have also been built on Glaslyn.

The properties are all built to Welsh Governments design quality requirements, Lifetime Homes Standards and meet Welsh housing quality standards.

Fibre broadband is available for connection by tenants and the properties also have solar panels and battery storage to support lower energy costs.

Each property has off road parking and their own private garden with a patio.

The Estate re-modelling project at Plas Madoc has also seen approximately 400 non-traditional, steel framed cubitt properties.

All of these are council owned, receive external wall insulation, making them more heat efficient, reducing fuel bills for tenants, as well as modernise their external appearance.

A number of properties have also received new fencing and garden improvements alongside some other community led environmental improvements.

The estate re-modelling project has also taken the opportunity to pilot the re-modelling of a terrace of existing three storey properties to make them more tenant and family friendly, providing an increase in floor space, a garage for the property and an additional access point.

This is the second phase of the council’s new build development plans, building on the success of the Nant Silyn site in Caia Park, which completed in June 2021 and was also delivered by Liberty.

The Nant Silyn development was the first new development of council homes to be built in the area for 30 years.

Further work on four new build one bedroom apartments in Llay will complete in autumn 2022, to the rear of Tir Y Capel Sheltered Housing Unit.

Planning permission is also in place for a further six, one bedroom apartments in Johnstown, it is anticipated work will begin in the new financial year on delivery.

Further scoping work for future new build developments by Wrexham Council is also underway.

Councillor David A Bithell Lead Member for Housing said: “With the Clos Nant Silyn build that was completed last year we set the standard for our delivery of quality homes to our residents, and I am happy that that high standard has continued into the Plas Madoc build.”

Councillor Nigel Williams, lead member for Economy and regeneration said: “The work at Plas Madoc continues our commitment to provide modern, warm and decent lifetime homes for our tenants.”

Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard added: “Last year Wrexham Councils executive board approved the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan allowing us to invest £58.9 million into the Council housing stock of over 11,000 properties throughout the 2021-22 financial year. “I’m delighted to see this commitment of investment translating into tangible benefits to our residents.”

The new properties have been funded via the Housing Revenue Account (WCBC) and Welsh Governments, Affordable Housing Grant.

The project has been built by national property services business, Liberty, on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council

All the homes at Plas Madoc will be available for social rent once completed in late summer 2022.