Residents move into affordable Penrhyndeudraeth development
The homes at Maes Deudraeth in Penrhyndeudraeth include 41 timber-framed, energy-efficient houses and apartments. The scheme is part of the Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme and is the result of a £10 million scheme built by Williams Homes (Bala) on behalf of ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin and in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government.
The affordable homes have been built with Welsh timber-frames and by using modern methods of construction. This ensures that the energy-efficient new properties will be economical to run and boast sustainable credentials.
Where possible, construction has been done using locally sourced materials and with suppliers from the area.
Clwyd Alyn's Barry Evans with Maisie, aged five (Image: Mandy Jones) Resident Mairi moved into the development with her daughter, Maisie.
She said: "I love my new home; I'm trying to stay cool but I'm very excited. It's a massive change as myself and my young daughter Maisie had been living in hotel accommodation for the past nine months, and now this will be our forever home.
'I keep asking myself is this a dream. I'm very grateful to ClwydAlyn and Barry Evans , my Housing Officer, for all his support.'
Helen Williams, Development Project Manager for ClwydAlyn, said: 'Our homes are not just about bricks and mortar. We recognise the importance of allowing our residents to make their homes in the areas where they grew up or have long-terms links.
'There is a severe shortage of local homes, where families and individuals can live within their means. Amidst a landscape of rising house prices, limited availability and increasingly difficult financial situations for people, we're glad that we have been able to create this stable community.
The development in the heart of Eryri (Image: Mandy Jones) 'It's been a pleasure to work with Grŵp Cynefin on this scheme, which reflects the extraordinary character of Eryri, whilst meeting the needs of local people.'
Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: 'It's a real milestone to see residents moving into their new homes in Penrhyndeudraeth. Building affordable, high-quality homes like these at Maes Deudraeth is a key priority for us, especially with over 4,300 people currently on the waiting list for a social home in Gwynedd. We are working hard to tackle the housing crisis, which continues to have a serious impact on our communities.
"By working in close partnership with housing associations like ClwydAlyn and Grŵp Cynefin, we can deliver the energy-efficient, sustainable, and modern homes that the people of Gwynedd so urgently need.'
Mel Evans, Group Cynefin Chief Executive, said: 'We were delighted to work in partnership with ClwydAlyn to provide much needed high quality housing at Maes Deudraeth.
'This development is about so much more than the bricks and mortar – it's about changing people's lives for the better.
'It was wonderful to see the first eight tenants have settled in and are so happy in their new homes.'
The Gwynedd Affordable Housing Development Programme aims to fulfil the council's goal of building 700 social homes throughout the county within the lifetime of its Housing Action Plan.
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