A housing association has offered a glimpse of the future with a £500,000 development of six eco-friendly bungalows with solar panels on their roofs.
Tenants have moved into the new properties built by Cartrefi Conwy in Maes y Glyn, Old Colwyn, to replace homes that were “deemed unfit for purpose”.
The bungalows have been highly insulated and fitted with photovoltaic roof panels to keep energy costs down. .
Among the first tenants to move in was Beatrice Ngaya, 57, who was thrilled with her new home.
She said: “It’s so warm and is a really nice home. It’s dry and very fuel efficient. I’m already noticing a big difference to be honest. I have to thank Cartrefi Conwy for what they have done for me and my new neighbours.
Equally pleased is fellow tenant John Roberts, 78, who added: “It’s ideal for me as I’m disabled and can’t walk to well. The bungalow is spacious and it means I can get about easily. I couldn’t be happier to be honest.”
Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden is delighted the tenants are so happy with their new homes.
He said: “I’m so pleased to see our first development of bungalows in Old Colwyn is now complete. And I’m delighted with the quality of finish our contractors, G Purchase Construction, have achieved.
“It really is good to see how happy our tenants are in their brand new homes.
“These properties are not only spacious, they are warm and, importantly, fuel efficient. It’s what our tenants expect of Cartrefi Conwy and is something we are determined to deliver.
“We are continually working at improving our housing stock and we are working on a development programme that will see us replace those properties deemed unfit for purpose with newly built, fuel efficient homes of built to a high standard.”
“We strive to build communities we can be proud of and I’m certainly proud of this new Maes y Glyn development. And I’m sure our tenants will be happy here for a long time to come.”
According to Cartrefi Conwy Project Manager Wayne Bannister, the six bungalows that stood on the site were inadequate for modern needs and totally inefficient when it came to insulation and energy saving.
He said: “Cartrefi Conwy moved our tenants into other accommodation and demolished the bungalows before spending around £500,000 building these six new properties to a very high standard.
He said: “These bungalows are all very well insulated which will help keep fuel costs low. The boilers, showers, smoke alarms, windows, doors and other fittings are top quality and were sourced from market leaders.
“They all have photovoltaic panels fitted on their roofs as standard which means tenants will benefit from even lower fuel bills.
“Cartrefi Conwy does have communal solar panels at various sites but these Maes y Glyn properties are the first to benefit from their own photovoltaic panels which mean tenants will get some free electricity from what is generated.
“The six old properties that stood on the site were simply not fit for purpose and I’m so pleased we were able to design and build brand new high-spec properties in their place.”
G Purchase Construction Project Manager Steve Walker is “really pleased” with the way the development turned out.
He said: “We worked hard to achieve Code Four in the Government’s Code Four Sustainable Homes which means tenants will save money off their heating and fuel bills.
“We also used high performance windows and doors to reduce draughts and make the properties as fuel efficient as possible.
“But, as well as striving for energy efficiency we have ensured these new bungalows are finished to a very high standard.”
He added: “It’s rewarding to see tenants moving in and seeing first-hand how happy they are with their bright, spacious new homes.”
