Work has now started on an exciting development that will being 12 new one-bedroom apartments to Trethomas, Caerphilly.

Caerphilly County Borough Council is delivering the development on Llanfabon Drive as part of an innovative pilot programme that will also see 6 new homes built in Trecenydd.

Homes on both sites will be owned and managed by Caerphilly County Borough Council and allocated to eligible applicants from its Common Housing Register. The homes are expected to be completed in Spring 2022.

Homes will be constructed to Passivhaus standard, consisting of very high levels of insulation, extremely high-performance windows with insulated frames, airtight building fabric and a mechanical heat ventilation system. As well as helping to lower carbon emissions, these buildings will result in low energy costs for tenants and contribute towards housing need in the county borough.

The Council is working in partnership with experienced construction company Willmott Dixon and local Ystrad Mynach based company Caledan Ltd, who are manufacturing the steel frames used in construction.

Welsh Government has awarded £3.1 million through its Innovative Housing Programme to fund development costs at both sites.

Council Leader, Cllr Philippa Marsden, said “It was fantastic to visit the Trecenydd site recently to see the first steps on our exciting journey to build new council owned homes for the first time in 18 years. To now see work begin on the Trethomas site too really demonstrates that progress is being made.”

Cllr Lisa Phipps, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, added “With over 4,500 people registered for social housing in the county borough and a particular need for one bedroom homes, these sites are vital in helping us meet demand for local people.

Exploring innovative ways to help tenants further, by reducing their energy bills is also incredibly important to us, as is lowering carbon emissions and using local supply chains to boost our economy during such difficult times.”