Last week the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson AM visited Tai Ceredigion and the homes undergoing major improvements under the Welsh Assembly Government ARBED scheme in the Regeneration Area of Aberystwyth and the Uplands area.
She came to see for herself how and where Tai Ceredigion is using the £674,000 of funding from the ARBED scheme to bring affordable warmth to homes which they took over from the Council at the end of 2009.
Phase one of the improvements has started with the Penybont flats in Penparcau and estates in the Uplands area of Pontrhydfengidaid, Ponterwyd and Pontrhydygroes and Devil’s Bridge. All the homes are having external wall insulation as well as new heating systems, new windows, doors and possibly balconies will be fitted.
Rockwool Rockshield breathable insulation, a Welsh produced product had been selected to be used by Tai Ceredigion’s Sustainability and Specification group after a factory visit to Bridgend due to the ideal thermal and breathable properties and fire resistant properties.
Tai Ceredigion is also working in partnership with E.ON’s Sustainable Energy business on another pilot project in the Uplands area to install new ground source heat pump heating systems in the off-gas areas and Photovoltaic panels on roofs.
Steve Jones, Chief Executive of Tai Ceredigion said:
“We were delighted that the Minister came to see the improvement programme in action in the north of the County. Our objective as the local not-for-profit housing association is to bring all of the 2,227 properties in Ceredigion up to the Welsh Quality Housing Standard and also provide affordable warmth to tenants. We will be investing £40m in the region over the next few years which will bring much needed improvement to tenant’s homes, as well as giving a boost to the economic future of communities within Ceredigion.”
Llyr Edwards, Director of Properties Services said:
“We are working hard across the county with not only work going on in the north but also the south. Our work force and contractors have been busy improving play areas in Cardigan, rewiring in Aberporth and new windows will be going into homes on the Ridgeway estate in Cardigan in April. There will also be more consultation with tenants for major planned work in Llanarth too.”
Environment Minister, Jane Davidson said:
“It is wonderful to see the homes of Ceredigion residents being improved with the funding from our ARBED scheme.
“Wales is leading the way with ARBED. It is an innovative scheme that focuses on making homes in some of Wales’ most deprived areas much more energy efficient. Not only will this help reduce fuel costs for those that need it most, it will also help us to drastically reduce carbon emissions and ensure the creation of new job and training opportunities throughout Wales.”
