Welsh housing estate to get a green facelift

A major project to regenerate a deprived housing estate in Wales into an eco-friendly hub and slash domestic fuel bills has been unveiled.


As part of the £4m initiative, Housing Association Cartrefi Conwy will be renovating more than 250 homes on the Peulwys estate in Colwyn by fitting external wall and loft insulation, more energy efficient boiler systems and draft proofing.

It is anticipated the work will reduce tenants’ fuel bills by 40%, as well as reduce carbon emissions by about 52,000 tonnes over a 25 year period.

Funding for the project was provided by Scottish and Southern Energy, which invested £2m, and the Government’s Community Energy Savings Programme.

Planning permission for the project was granted by Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) and follows the success of a similar smaller scheme in Rhos On Sea. Work is set to start immediately and is expected to be completed by October.

If this more major project is successful Cartrefi Conwy chief executive Andrew Bowden, said that it plans to replicate the initiative across all of its housing stock.

He said: “We have been successful in delivering our £30m housing improvement programme to bring all our properties up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard before the end of 2012.

“Now we are mirroring that success with our programme of environmental improvements and this £4m scheme on the Peulwys estate is a demonstration of how, together with our partners, we intend to make a real difference to our communities across Conwy.”

Cartrefi Conwy asset and sustainability manager Adrian Johnson said: “The Peulwys estate is in the top 15% of most deprived estates in Wales. Our aim is to totally transform the estate’s fortunes and eliminate fuel poverty.”

Carys Matthews

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