Work has started on £1.1 million programme of green space improvements to transform a housing estate in Conwy.
The massive scheme on Parc Peulwys in Llysfaen will involve traffic management, building new paths, enhancing play areas, landscaping and the creation of a dramatic new entrance to the estate.
The scheme by housing association Cartrefi Conwy is expected to take no more than eight months to complete.
The work follows the recent £4 million programme to renovate more than 260 homes on the estate, with pioneering external wall insulation and other measures that should slash energy bills by 40 per cent.
Jackie Jackson, Chair of the Friends of Parc Peulwys and a tenant on the estate for more than 20 years, says the planned environmental improvement programme is ‘fantastic’.
She said: “All the tenants I have spoken to are delighted with the plans and with the refurbishment programme that has already been completed.
“In the past Parc Peulwys may have been unfairly burdened with a poor reputation, although I have always been proud of where I live. Now I think everyone thinks the same way and are equally proud to call Parc Peulwys their home.
“People take a real pride in the estate and are proud to live here. Cartrefi Conwy have certainly helped they have been wonderful and tenants have responded positively.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Ginny Hardern, Vice Chair of the Friends of Parc Peulwys and a tenant on the estate for more than 30 years.
She added: “It will take time to finish all the work but the end result will definitely be worth it.
“Everyone is pleased with the housing refurbishment work especially as tenants are saving money now thanks to the improved insulation. I think new paths, gardens and the other planned improvements will be a big boost to the estate.”
Clwyd West Conservative AM, Darren Millar, was impressed with the plans for the scheme.
He said: “It really is a very exciting day. Cartrefi Conwy has already invested millions of pounds in their Parc Peulwys housing stock which has seen tenants able to bring their heating costs down thanks to improved insulation.
“And now we are seeing, what is, a huge programme of environmental improvements which will further enhance the Parc Peulwys estate.
“There is a real sense of community among tenants and Cartrefi Conwy, as a registered social landlord, certainly play their part in enhancing and improving the environment for all residents.”
According to Andrew Bowden, Cartrefi Conwy’s Chief Executive Officer, the start of the scheme was a “momentous day” for Parc Peulwys.
He said: “Having completed the home improvement scheme I’m absolutely delighted how the estate now looks and continues to be looked after. It’s clear to me the community and tenants are embracing the improvement programme we have put in place.
“I do understand there will be a certain amount of unavoidable disruption to the lives of tenants while these works are completed. However, I truly believe the end result will be more than worth it.”
He added: “I feel there is a real sense of community now and a pride in the estate. The Cartrefi Conwy vision is to create communities to be proud of and there is little doubt, together at Parc Peulwys, we are achieving our goal.”
Landscape architect, Julie Barr, of Conwy-based Tirlun Barr Associates helped to design the environmental improvements along with Cartrefi Conwy’s in house expert.
She said: “It has taken a long time and a great deal of hard work on all our parts to plan the environmental improvements we are now embarking on.
“We are all grateful to Parc Peulwys tenants for their co-operation and for their help in coming up with the ideas and features that they wanted to see included.
“The scheme will see the environment improved with better pedestrian access and the main squares around the estate re-designed. There will be a massive programme of trees and shrub planting and several new communal features such as a human sundial.
Luke Jones, of G Purchase Construction, said: “We are delighted to continue our excellent working partnership with Cartrefi Conwy in delivering, what is, a visionary scheme of environmental improvements.
“New paths and roadways, the planting of trees and shrubs and the other planned improvements will further improve the environment for all tenants.”
Cartrefi Conwy tenant and chair of its property and services group, Sylvia Duxbury, said: “I think what Cartrefi Conwy are doing at Parc Peulwys is absolutely fantastic. It’s a wonderful scheme that will benefit the whole community.
“I live on the Fron estate not here on Parc Peulwys but I do know tenants, and I have spoken to many of them, and they are absolutely thrilled with their reduced heating costs following on from the home improvement programme.
“This new environmental programme is further evidence of the work being done by Cartrefi Conwy to improve the environment and community for all tenants.”
