Work is starting on a £3.3 million project to build a new purpose-built block of 33 apartments for over-55s in the heart of Flint.
Award-winning builders Anwyl Construction are beginning work on the site of the former Delyn Council Offices at Flint House in the town.
The four-storey building is for social housing provider Wales & West Housing in partnership with Flintshire County Council and will be built to high sustainability values with each apartment insulated above the required standards and equipped with super-efficient gas boilers.
It is the latest partnership between Wales & West Housing, whose North Wales office is in Flint, and Rhyl-based Anwyl Construction.
Anwyl recently completed an £8.5 million 61-home extra-care complex at Llys Jasmine, in Mold, for Wales & West Housing and are completing another major contract to provide 147 homes on two sites in Wrexham for the company in a £15 million project.
Simon Rose, Anwyl Construction Commercial Manager, is overseeing the project on land which the company originally acquired in 2008 and which they have sold on to Wales & West.
He said: “The site was the former Delyn Council offices and the footprint of the new building will be almost exactly the same with 33 car parking spaces.
“The new building will be very advanced now with some great features and will exceed current sustainability standards. It is scheduled for completion in mid-February 2015.
“We also have to take into account designing to lifetime homes standards and they will be ideal for over-55s with each apartment including features such as level access showers.”
Tom Anwyl, Contracts Director for Anwyl Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wales & West on another major social housing project in North East Wales.
“Their commitment to providing much-needed social housing has provided a lifeline for the construction industry in North East Wales in recent times and been a source of jobs and apprenticeships.
“They share our commitment to ensuring that these contracts use local sub-contractors and supply chains so that they benefit the local economy and together we encourage those sub-contractors to take on apprentices to ensure a strong and skilled local workforce.”
Shayne Hembrow, Deputy Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, said: “Flint House is a fantastic new development of energy efficient, warm and affordable homes.
“Funding from the Welsh Government and our partnership with Flintshire County Council has made this possible and provided a much needed boost to the local economy.
“Affordable housing is more important now than ever and this project along with our scheme at Glan y Don, Greenfield help make a real difference.”
Councillor Helen Brown, Flintshire County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Developments like this are essential to help support affordable homes and Flintshire County Council is committed to providing affordable housing throughout the area.
“The partnership of the Council, Welsh Government, Wales & West Housing and Anwyl is a great example of agencies working together for the benefit of local residents.”
Anwyl are also currently engaged on a major project at nearby Oakenholt, where they are building the 180-home first phase of their Croes Atti estate – the biggest housing development seen in North Wales in recent years.
