Welsh Minister Visits Hightown As £17m Housing Developments Get Underway

A Welsh Minister paid a visit to Hightown today where works have now begun on a £17m project to deliver up to 150 affordable homes in Wrexham.

Huw Lewis, the Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, visited the rain site of the former Hightown flats this morning to see how work was progressing.

The project is being developed by Wales & West Housing in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council since receiving planning permission last year.

The multi-million pound development will see 92 new affordable-homes and apartments being built at the Kingsmills Road site.

The project will also see the redevelopment of the former gas works on Rivulet Road, with 35 an additional 20 homes at the planning stage new homes being built in the area. Photo voltaic panels will also be installed to reduce the electricity cost for residents.

Huw Lewis said: “I am pleased that the Welsh Government has been able to support the development of this scheme with £5.4 million from the Social Housing Grant programme.

“The scheme is an excellent example of partnership working, with several different organisations, the Welsh Government Wales and West Housing Association, Wrexham Council, Hightown Communities First and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board all working together. It is exactly the sort of development we need to deliver more of in Wales to ensure we are providing people with decent affordable homes that fulfil their needs.”

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing said: “We’re delighted to see works starting on this site to provide good quality and affordable homes for the people of Wrexham. By working in partnership with Wrexham Council and local contractor Anwyl, Wales & West Housing will be helping the local economy by sourcing local supply chains and providing significant employment and training opportunities for local people.”

Residents will benefit from the new community facility which will offer a large activity hall, meeting rooms and kitchen. A new health centre is also being built on site, which will be operated by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and will provide three consulting rooms and a treatment area.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Lead member for Housing and Planning said: “A lot of time and hard-work has gone into developing this project and I am delighted with the progressing being made.

“In Wrexham we have a duty to provide good quality, Affordable Homes for local people and this £17m represents a significant inward investment into both Hightown and the county borough.

“We have been working closely with Wales & West Housing on this project and this is another good example of how local organisations can work together. I would like to thank all the staff at our Housing Department for all their hard work on the Hightown development.

“I would also like to thank the residents who live in Hightown for their continued patience and co-operation throughout the whole process. Residents of the former Hightown flats have been given the option to return to the new development and will have the choice of housing on either the Kingsmills or Rivulet Road sites.”

Local building contractor Anwyl Construction are involved in the project and the company’s Director Mathew Anwyl said: “This is a major contract for us and a fantastic investment for the local community. We’re delighted to have been awarded the work. And are looking forward to creating opportunities among the local workforce.”

The derelict brown field site on Rivulet Road is also earmarked for a further 20 apartment development which is subject to a separate planning application due to be submitted in the spring of 2012.

If planning permission is granted, the apartments will be built in conjunction with the redevelopment of the two sites.

The project is set to be completed by autumn 2013. You an also keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting www.hightownflats.com