Work is complete on the second phase of affordable homes at the £100m Ely Mill development, including three zero carbon homes.
Funded by Principality Commercial, the lending arm of Wales’ largest building society, and developed by Tirion Homes, the 78 properties have all been let by Cadwyn Housing Association.
Within the portfolio of 78 homes are three carbon zero properties, which incorporate systems that can adapt heating and power supplies to the owner’s requirements, helping to save energy. The trial, coordinated by housing developer Sero, is part of the UK’s largest rollout of a demand-side approach to energy management at a domestic level. Each carbon zero home includes integrated solar panels, electric car charging points and a ground source heat pump.
Peter Hughes, Managing Director of Principality Commercial said: “With this project facing many challenges on site this year due to coronavirus, it’s hugely exciting this phase has now completed and residents will be able to enjoy their new homes. This is a project we’re very passionate about, not only funding affordable homes for the communities we serve but also taking a significant step in creating homes for future generations that directly address domestic carbon emissions. Additionally, and importantly, the Society has also committed to support the next phase to deliver a further 105 affordable homes on the site including 49 social homes and we are really looking forward to working with our partners to achieve our goals.”
The Mill is a collaboration between Principality Building Society, Tirion Homes and Welsh Government, with housing developers Lovell and Cadwyn Housing Association key partners in the delivery and management of the scheme. The initiative, which will comprise of half affordable homes and half for the open market, is transforming a former derelict site which has lain dormant for over 20 years. Managed by Lovell, the homes available on the open market have sold quicker at The Mill than any other of the developer’s sites across the UK.
The second phase of affordable homes has completed at The Mill despite the continual challenges of COVID-19 in which the site had to close for over two months. Introducing a range of measures including thermal image cameras to test the temperature of everyone accessing the site and a range of revised social distancing protocols, the completion of this phase marks a significant stage in the 800-home project.
Over the duration of the project at The Mill site, over 1000 jobs are expected to be created.
David Ward, CEO of Tirion Group, said: “We are delighted to have completed this phase without too much impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. The team has worked hard with our partners to adapt to the new working practices and our contractor Lovell has provided an exemplar safe working environment that has made a real contribution to our success. The quality of the new homes and the start on site of the Riverside Park has resulted in high demand through our managing partners Cadwyn Housing Association. There is real momentum behind the project now and we look forward to delivering the remainder of the scheme with the support and commitment of our partners Principality Building Society, Welsh Government, Cadwyn and Lovell.”
