Work begins on £2.2m Wrexham social housing scheme

Construction has begun on a social housing scheme on the site of the former Nant Silyn care home in Caia Park by Liberty on behalf of Wrexham Council.

The work will see the transformation of the site of the former Nant Silyn residential care home, in Caia Park, into a social housing residential complex.

Work on the site started earlier in the winter, and is due to be completed in 2020.

The development is being built by Liberty for Wrexham County Borough Council, and will deliver eight one-bedroom apartments, four two bedroom houses, a one-bedroom bungalow and a two-bedroom fully adapted specialist bungalow.

It will also include parking facilities and landscaped grounds.

The schemes are the first the council has built in nearly 30 years.

Ray Jones, Group Managing Director of Liberty, said the project would provide much-needed social housing to the town.

“The regeneration of disused brownfield sites will create attractive and modern living spaces in an area brimming with natural beauty.

“We are naturally delighted to be working with Wrexham County Borough Council on this exciting project and very much look forward to delivering these much-needed homes.”

As part of the schemes, Liberty will be installing temporary timber and mesh fencing around the site. This will protect wildlife in the area, including badgers and otters, which are regular visitors to a nearby river, by preventing access to site during the construction phase.

Designed by architecture firm JDA and engineering company mdaStructures, the scheme forms the first of a number of social housing developments earmarked for Wrexham, with more homes planned at Plas Madoc awaiting planning approval.

Cllr David Griffiths, Lead Member for Housing at Wrexham Council, said the authority was pleased to be building its first social housing development since 1991.

Cllr Griffiths said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we’re bringing new social properties in Wrexham.

“This will be the first council developments to be built since 1991, and we’re very pleased that we’re able to bring new housing to this site.

“The development will transform the site of the former Nant Silyn, which was closed four years ago, into a new community and we’re glad that we’re working alongside Liberty on this new development.

“And the provision of new council properties will complement our ongoing work under the Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS), which has seen hundreds of council properties modernised and brought up to 21st century standards.”

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “This is an ambitious project for Wrexham Council and will supply lifetime homes for our tenants

“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to come to a point where we’re constructing new council homes, and know that these new properties will go a long way to fulfilling the housing needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”