The former Rhondda Bowl and Fruit Warehouse housing developments in Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf, are beginning to take shape, with affordability, energy efficiency and decarbonisation at the heart of the work. 

Both schemes are Newydd Housing Association developments offering a total of 34 new homes to local people.

Built in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and funded in part by Welsh Government Social Housing Grant, the former Fruit Warehouse will offer 14 one-bedroom apartments for rent.

The second scheme at the former Rhondda Bowl will offer a mix of one-bedroom apartments, two and three-bedroom houses for affordable rent.

Both housing developments are scheduled to complete in 2025 by contractors Castell Group.

After achieving planning consent in 2023, these new homes, will be designed to meet the latest environmental standards and will have an energy-efficient A-rated EPC due to a non-fossil fuel heating system.

Louise Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services, said:

“The council’s Housing Strategy team has worked closely with Newydd Housing Association to design these two schemes in Tonyrefail, which respond to the local housing need. The 34 new affordable homes will be developed to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard set by Welsh Government and will bring an investment of around £5m to the area via the Social Housing Grant. I’m looking forward to seeing both schemes make important progress in the weeks and months ahead. Upon completion in 2025, they will each provide high-quality housing options that will be allocated through the council’s choice-based lettings scheme.”

Jason Wroe, Chief Executive of Newydd said,

“We’re looking forward to building more affordable homes in Tonyrefail. This fantastic scheme will not only help contribute towards meeting our net zero targets but will also provide residents with homes that are safe, warm and affordable. We are looking forward to seeing these finished properties in 2025 but in the meantime I would like to thank all our partners who have worked hard to get us to this stage.”

Dorian Payne, Managing Director at Castell Group, said,

“We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in communities like Tonyrefail. We are pleased to have partnered with Newydd on our ongoing projects at Waunrhydd Road and Bryn Rhedyn. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to delivering high quality homes for those in need. With groundworks ongoing and works progressing swiftly on both developments, we are proud to be contributing 34 much-needed EPC A rated homes for social rent, helping reduce the housing waiting lists in this area. Newydd and Castell Group are committed to creating a positive impact across the community and we will achieve this by working with local subcontractors and suppliers, establishing training and apprenticeship programmes, and investing into the local area through our community engagement initiatives. We look forward to seeing these developments flourish and will share more updates in the coming months.”

Other members of the design team employed on these housing schemes include Kennedy James Griffiths, Phoenix Design, Betts, Geraint John Planning, I&G Ecology, Geldards, Morgan LaRoche and Cooke and Arkwright.