Taking extra care to build bridges

Published by Paul Diggory for North Wales Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities, Education

North Wales Housing has commenced installation of a striking new bridge between two of its buildings in Llanfairfechan, as part of a project to develop Conwy’s first ever extra care scheme for older people.

The half glazed structure will link the existing Plas y Llan residential block to the brand new, purpose-built, Llys y Coed building next door. In so doing, it will mark not only the physical connection of two previously separate sites, but also the close partnership between North Wales Housing, Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, that has made the extra care scheme possible.

Eirlys Parry, Older Persons Housing & Strategy Manager at North Wales Housing, commented:

“We have been working with Conwy Council for several years now, but this is one of our most exciting projects to date. Under the partnership, the Council provides care and support services for residents, while we provide the premises and associated building management services. It is a really successful team effort, and we are very proud of our achievement here.”

The bridge’s architects, Ainsley Gommon, worked with project management consultants Capita Symonds and main contractors K&C Construction to install the bridge, with the cooperation of neighbouring landlords Cartrefi Conwy. The project is just the latest part in a significant programme of development at the site, which also includes the complete refurbishment of the existing Plas y Llan residential building. The previous arrangement of bedrooms around a communal living area at Plas y Llan is now being remodelled to provide self-contained flats, complete with their own kitchen, lounge, 1 or 2 bedrooms and bathroom areas. The neighbouring Llys y Coed provides similar, purpose-built accommodation in a contemporary building on the other side of the bridge.

With an on-site restaurant, hair salon, hobbies room, lounges, treatment room, scooter stores, laundry, guest suite, garden areas and supported bathing facilities for those who require them, the idea is to allow residents to live as independently as they choose, safe in the knowledge that support is available 24 hours a day if needed.

The entire project is due to be completed this October, with a grand opening scheduled for later this year.