Member Article

Rural affordable housing developments in Bontnewydd and Rhosgadfan near completion

Local residents have moved into new affordable homes in two Gwynedd villages, as an expansion in affordable housing makes an immediate impact in the community.

Grŵp Cynefin, which owns and manages 4,800 properties across all six north Wales counties as well as northern Powys, has developed the £1.6m build, which consists of 13 homes across two sites in Bontnewydd and Rhosgadfan.

Nine of the properties will form part of a wider 29-home development in Bontnewydd at the heart of the village, which has been constructed by Watkin Jones Homes, while the other four homes have been developed as a standalone site in Rhosgadfan by Penrhyndeudraeth-based TIR Construction.

The site in Rhosgadfan has already been completed, with tenants having moved into the two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom properties in recent weeks.

Development manager at Grŵp Cynefin Gwyndaf Williams said: “One of our top priorities is delivering high-quality affordable housing and we are thrilled to include these two new developments at Bontnewydd and Rhosgadfan to the list of properties we provide to tenants.

“To already have tenants filling those new premises showcases the immediate impact our work can do to help provide vital affordable housing in rural communities and reduce the strong demand for housing in the region.

“It has been a pleasure to liaise with not only Gwynedd Council, but also local suppliers and contractors to help build these developments. It further showcases our commitment to keeping local sites being developed by local developers where possible.”

Of the nine properties in Bontnewydd, three homes have been completed while work is continuing on six apartments, with the site visited by members of the Grŵp Cynefin board to check in on the development’s progress.

Adam Summers-Robert moved into a property on Cae Magw at Rhosgadfan with his partner and two young children a few months ago.

Adam, 25, said: “We only had to move a mile down the road, which was fantastic, as having extended family that close when you have young children is so important, it’s been such a help.

“We’re all settled in now and looking forward to getting to know our new neighbours as they move in themselves.”

Construction on the apartments is due to be completed by the end of September, with prospective tenants to be nominated from those on Gwynedd Council’s housing register.

Chief executive of Grŵp Cynefin Shan Lloyd Williams said: “It is encouraging to see the instant impact these developments have made to the tenants who have found a new place to call home in one of these newly constructed residences.

“Developments such as the ones in Bontnewydd and Rhosgadfan are so important because they provide affordable housing to those who may have grown up in these communities but have been priced out of buying a property.

“Grŵp Cynefin is committed to helping our tenants in a number of ways, from cutting overall carbon emissions to providing warmer homes and cheaper energy bills. We also provide high-quality affordable housing, particularly in rural communities, giving young people and families some great opportunities to continue to work, live and enjoy life in north and mid Wales.”

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