A Grade II listed building at the heart of Swansea’s historic Maritime Quarter is set for a new lease of life, providing much needed affordable accommodation for people with the greatest housing need.
Dating back to 1820, Cambrian Place is one of the city’s oldest remaining streets, one of just a handful in the city centre to survive the Luftwaffe bombing raids in World War Two.
Now Pobl Group, with the help of over £5M from Welsh Government’s Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme, will commence work this month on a 74-week refurbishment programme to secure a long-term sustainable future for this prominent building a stone’s throw from the River Tawe and Swansea Bay.
Peter Remedios, Project Manager at Pobl Group, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We are delighted to be able to launch this programme of work which will transform a historic building and make it fit for purpose for 21st century living, providing 31 apartments for those with the greatest need. Renovating homes which are more than 200 years old offers considerable challenges, particularly in future proofing the buildings while ensuring residents can live comfortably and sustainably, whilst being able to affordably heat their homes.
“The support of Welsh Government, via the Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme, allows us to renew this beautiful block of apartments for modern, low carbon, energy efficient living, helping to tackle the well documented shortage of affordable housing, and we are extremely grateful for that support.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, said: “I am so pleased to see the excellent progress Pobl Group is making with the restoration of Cambrian Place.
“With support from our Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme, the Grade II listed building will provide much needed housing while also keeping its unique character.
“This is a fantastic example of how the Programme is supporting a wide range of projects to create good quality and energy efficient housing across Wales.”
Externally, the scheduled work will see brickwork and stonework to the front elevation carefully restored, replacement of the windows and roof, and external wall insulation to the side and rear with repairs throughout.
Meanwhile, wholescale refurbishment internally involves the installation of new heating and hot water systems which are low carbon and more energy efficient, in addition to the provision of breathable internal wall insulation.
With no gas connection, the apartments will be fully electric with photovoltaic (solar) panels and heat pumps providing the energy solution. Infrared ceiling heat mats are being trialled as part of the low carbon strategy.
In line with Pobl’s commitment to investing in local communities, Swansea based John Weaver Contractors have been appointed to carry out the work.
Terry Edwards, managing director of John Weaver Contractors Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have been confirmed as the contractor of choice on this prestigious conservation project which is nestled within the Swansea Maritime Quarter.
“Our embedded conservation teams are focused on ensuring existing landmarks and heritage buildings such as Cambrian Place are brought back to life to give unique living standards to those people that will be lucky enough to call Cambrian Place their home.
“The local knowledge of our in-house craftsmen and artisans means they understand not only the finer technical details when it comes to conserving buildings, but they also understand and take ownership of the heart and soul of the structures that are temporarily within our care.
“We look forward to partnering with Pobl on delivering the much-needed affordable housing for the region and to breath some life back into this Grade II listed building. The Maritime Quarter was key to Swansea’s great industrial past, and we are now entrusted to rejuvenate this building to ensure it offers the city bigger things into the future.”
