Wales & West Housing’s £16.9m ground-breaking affordable housing development in Hightown & Rivulet Road was awarded Best Affordable Housing Scheme at this year’s Housing Excellence Awards.
Wales & West Housing (WWH), in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board, contracted Anwyl Construction to develop 147 much needed energy efficient homes, along with a state-of-the-art community resource centre and medical centre. These replaced outdated facilities that were threatened with closure.
The ground-breaking development, which received £7.3m funding from the Welsh Government, was completed last year and has transformed what was a run-down area into a much-admired gateway into Wrexham. Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, opened the scheme.
Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, said: “I am very proud that our biggest construction project for many years which has regenerated the heart of Wrexham, has been recognised in these awards as making a positive difference to the community. This was made possible thanks to our partnership and funding from the Welsh Government and Wrexham County Borough Council.
“Our purpose is ‘strong sustainable growth to make a difference to people’s lives, homes and communities’ and I believe that this development – which includes a state-of-the art community resource centre and medical centre – is an excellent demonstration of how we put this purpose into practice. The development has brought an estimated £50m to the local economy as well as providing training and work opportunities for local people.”
Cllr Ian Roberts, Lead Member for Housing in Wrexham, said: “I am delighted that the development has achieved this award. Wales & West Housing and Anwyl Construction took on the task of building 147 excellent affordable homes and turning the area into what we see today – one of the finest developments I have seen built in Wrexham for many years.”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “This award is very well deserved. As we look to the future and to the building of more affordable homes I hope builders and housing associations look at what has been created here and use it as their model in order to achieve excellent affordable homes that the people in Wrexham deserve. I would like to thank Council officers who were involved in this project for their hard work and those elected members who supported this development from the very start.”
Anwyl Construction Director Tom Anwyl said: “This is a hugely important accolade and we’re delighted to have flown the flag for Wales here because it shows that we have the skills and experience to carry out major projects in North Wales and further afield. Our partnership with Wales & West Housing has been very important to us because it has enabled us to offer employment and apprenticeship opportunities helping in the regeneration of Wrexham.
“Both we and Wales & West Housing are committed to ensuring that major construction projects such as those at Hightown have significant local involvement because of the massive boost it gives to the local economy.”
