New homes to be proud of in Merthyr Tydfil

Published by Sarah Manners for Wales & West Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities

HUW LEWIS, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and Minister for Housing, Heritage and Regeneration, was guest of honour at the official opening ceremony of Wales & West Housing Association's latest development in Merthyr Tydfil.

Brewery Mews & Brewery Court is the town’s new development of high quality, affordable homes by WWHA working in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, and provides 20 homes for local people.

Speaking at the event last month Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney AM Mr Lewis said, “I’m delighted to see the completion of this housing development and would like to thank Wales & West Housing Association for their hard work in making it a reality.

“With financial support from the Welsh Government and others 20 homes have now been built on the site of the former Vulcan Brewery.

“Housing remains a crucial issue here in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney and regularly features in my post bag and my advice surgeries.

“I wish all tenants at Brewery Court and Brewery Mews every happiness in their new homes.”

Mr Lewis AM was joined by Mayor Paul Brown, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Jeff Edwards, Youth Mayor Jamie Scrivens and Ivor Gittens, Chair of the Board of WWHA, in making speeches to mark the occasion.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing Association, said: “We were delighted to be able to work in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to develop these new homes on the site of the former Vulcan Brewery.

“The area has always played an important part in the history of the town, and we believe that it will continue to do so in providing good quality, affordable accommodation for local people.”

New resident Sharon Touse says she “can’t fault” her new home in Brewery Court.

“We are very happy here,” said Sharon, who lives with her husband Jason, and two teenage children Danielle and Ryan.

“Before moving here we were in a two bed flat, which was very cramped. Now we’ve got enough space for us, plus the garden and the parking out front is a real bonus.”

Cllr Jeff Edwards, Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council said: “The provision of good quality, affordable housing, is crucial to the sustainability of our local communities.  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is pleased to be part of the Vulcan Brewery housing development, and is fully committed to working with our partners to deliver affordable accommodation for our residents.”

The £3m scheme - comprising 2 x two-bed apartments, 13 x two -bedroom houses and 5 x three bedroom houses - was developed with a total grant subsidy of £1.6m, plus an investment of £1.4m from WWHA.

Together with forthcoming developments Wales & West Housing Association’s total investment in the area will be around £5m, including £3m in the form of public subsidy enabling rents to be kept affordable.

Guests, including residents of Brewery Court and Brewery Mews, also enjoyed a buffet lunch in the nearby Tabernacle Chapel as well as displays about the work of WWHA, which provides more than 400 affordable homes in Merthyr Tydfil.

The properties have all been built to the Welsh Governments Development Quality Requirements and key features include solar panels helping to reduce fuel bills.

They have been made available for affordable rent from Wales & West Housing Association and the Merthyr Tydfil Common Housing Register.

To see a video of the opening ceremony please go to: http://bit.ly/sq503T