PVC-U window, door and curtain walling specialist Profile 22 has helped to complete an innovative new build housing scheme for Carmarthenshire County Council, supplying casement windows through its approved window contractor Nolan uPVC. The £1.5m scheme forms part of a wider development which will see further affordable housing built across the county.
The windows have been installed in 12 two-bedroom bungalows built across two sites; Seaside, Llanelli and Morfa Maen, Kidwelly. Throughout the planning process Carmarthenshire County Council had to ensure that the new bungalows catered for the needs of older or disabled people. The original homes provided sheltered accommodation for people over 50; these were demolished to make way for the brand new, energy efficient and well-insulated homes. Completed over a 12 month period the development forms part of the County Council’s 10 year new build programme; aiding delivery of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus.
Designed by architects, Lewis Partnership Ltd the bungalows were built in accordance with the Code for Sustainable Homes, achieving a Code level 4. In-line with level 4 specification the windows achieve a U-value of 1.6W/m2K, with the disabled bungalow achieving 1.4W/m2K; contributing to the overall efficiency and thermal performance of each bungalow. Using Profile 22 FC60 in white, the casement windows are fitted with a single side opener. Nolan uPVC also supplied white composite doors, front and back.
The Profile 22 approved window contractor was appointed by main contractor WRW Construction. Andrew Collins, construction manager for WRW heralded the supply chain partnership a great success, “This was the first time that I had worked with Nolan uPVC and Profile 22, and I am happy to say that the whole process was excellent. The quality of the product is first class and communication during the manufacturing process was also very good.
“The products were delivered to site when requested and in accordance with our tight timescales. It must also be noted that the installation team were very helpful, safety aware and the quality of workmanship an exceptionally high standard.”
The bungalows have been well received locally, and the tenants are extremely happy with the improvements. Commenting on the project and the Council’s commitment to providing long-lasting, good quality and future-proof homes for its tenants, housing services manager for Carmarthenshire County Council, Jonathan Morgan said: “We are delighted that the new bungalows have been completed and the tenants are enjoying the benefits of their new homes. The Council is committed to providing excellent quality homes that will bring significant benefits in terms of health and general well-being for households.”
To encourage community engagement the Council invited children from local primary schools to name the two sites. The winners were Heol Losin Du – relating to a local nursery rhyme, and Clos Y Gilfach, which translates as ‘by the sea’.
Future of Council New Build
Carmarthenshire County Council has been a pioneering force for the Welsh Government receiving recognition for its creative approach to new build housing. Welsh Government Housing and Regeneration Minister, Carl Sargeant said: “Providing quality affordable homes to people across Wales is a Welsh Government priority and I’m pleased to see this commitment being delivered in Carmarthenshire. I’ve set a revised target of 10,000 new affordable homes over this term of Government and to support delivery against this ambitious target I want to see examples such as this replicated across the country.
“The development has comes as a result of the local authority being truly innovative and creative in how they can deliver much needed affordable housing in the area. It’s a great example of a council making best use of the resources they have at their disposal to support people and provide first class housing for the community.”
