The first of Cardiff Council’s new build state-of-the-art Community Living developments for older people has been officially launched.
Cardiff Council Leader, Huw Thomas and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, were joined by Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, Wates’ Regional Managing Director Edward Rees with Development Director Stuart Jones and other dignitaries, at Addison House to unveil a plaque marking the official opening of the new scheme – the first of ten new build schemes being delivered by the Council as part of its innovative development programme.
The new schemes respond directly to the needs identified in the council’s Older Persons’ housing strategy.
Addison House comprises 44 highly energy-efficient, one and two-bed apartments for council rent, built to the highest standard in a four storey building on the new Aspen Grove development, off Newport Road in Rumney. The development is part of the Council’s Cardiff Living partnership programme with national developer, Wates.
Named after the 1919 ‘Addison’ Act, which tasked local authorities with developing new homes to counter housing shortages post World War I, the highly-innovative new block will provide spacious, accessible and adaptable flats for older people, promoting independent living, as well as a range of communal facilities including lounges, a roof terrace overlooking the Bristol Channel, a medical room and a large communal garden.
The award-winning Aspen Grove development scheme has benefited from more than £4m through the Welsh Government’s Housing Care Fund. Cardiff Living has worked with Cardiff-based sustainable energy services company Sero, to incorporate low-carbon technologies into all 214 properties on the site, including the 65 council homes.
Contributing to the Council’s One Planet Cardiff strategy to be a carbon-neutral city by 2030 and Wates’ ongoing approach to low-carbon/energy development, all homes on the development incorporate ground source heat pumps, thermal storage, PV panels, battery storage electric vehicle charging points and Intelligent Energy System controls, making them kinder to the planet, non-reliant on fossil fuels and more affordable for residents to run.
Edward Rees, Regional Managing Director, Wates Residential, said: “We are proud and delighted to have been able to deliver these great new apartments based on a shared vision with Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government to create modern, healthy, low-energy homes that do not compromise on quality.
"The Addison House homes in the Aspen Grove development represent a truly collaborative aim to provide housing for residents at all stage of their lives.
“Older people deserve the same facilities and amenities as everyone else, and it is very rewarding to have built these homes to the highest standards, enabling residents to live an independent life.”
