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Work begins to construct brand new Grwp CynefinDenbigh office

Construction work is under way on a brand new area office for Grŵp Cynefin, reaffirming the housing association’s commitment to support and invest in communities such as the Vale of Clwyd.

The £3m development on Vale Street in Denbigh is due to be completed in Summer 2016, and will allow staff currently based in three separate offices in the town to work under one roof, increasing efficiency and reducing running costs.

The building, which will provide working space for 80 members of staff, has been designed by Denbigh-based architects Creu. Colwyn Bay based RL Davies has been awarded the construction contract.

Its eco-friendly design meets the ‘excellent’ BREEAM standard for environmental assessment, and will include recycled materials from the previous building, high levels of insulation, solar PV panels on the roof and energy efficient heating and electrical systems.

Grŵp Cynefin’s director of regeneration services Rhys Dafis said: “Grŵp Cynefin is committed to maintaining jobs and investment in the Denbigh community, and this new office building will help us to achieve our long-term goal of continuing our close historical association within Denbighshire.

“We identified the need for a new office in Denbigh a number of years ago, having outgrown our premises on Vale Street.

“The new offices will improve the efficiency of our Denbighshire operations in facilities that are fit for purpose, while also allowing us to expand in the future.

“This in turn will have a positive impact on our ability to deliver quality housing and support communities across North Wales.”

As an employer, Grŵp Cynefin is also committed to serving the needs of local communities, and prides itself on its strong Welsh language links. It is one of the organisations that employs the highest percentage of Welsh speakers within Denbigh, if not Denbighshire, one of the fundamental principles to the establishment of both housing associations which formed Grŵp Cynefin. Both Tai Clwyd and Tai Eryri established in the late 70s, early 80s respectively, merged in April 2014 to create Grŵp Cynefin.

“We are proud of our cultural and and linguistic links with Denbigh and other towns in north Wales,” explains Rhys Dafis. “We are a key employer within Denbighshire and an organisation that reflects the bilingual needs of the communities we serve.”

Denbigh is one of four North Wales locations Grŵp Cynefin operates from, with further offices in Llangefni, Anglesey plus two sites within Gwynedd in Bala and Penygroes.

The development follows the investment made in Denbigh last year with the completion of the £2.2m HWB Dinbych building, which provides a number of educational and recreational facilities for local residents.

Councillor Gwyneth Kensler, chair of Denbighshire County Council, said: “This development is further proof from Grŵp Cynefin that it is committed to supporting and investing in the area.

“These purpose-built offices will also help ensure jobs stay in the town centre, and therefore boost the local economy.”

Grŵp Cynefin manages nearly 4,500 affordable homes across North Wales, provides a range of community services for people in need and also delivers a number of community regeneration projects.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .