19/12/23

The first of Cardiff Council's new build state-of-the-art Community Living developments for older people has been officially launched today, Tuesday, December 19.

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, and Wates’ Regional Managing Director Edward Rees with Development Director Stuart Jones 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 itsinnovative development programme. The new schemes respond directly to the needs identified in the councils 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 Group.

Named after the 1919 ‘Addison' Act, which tasked local authorities with developing new homes to counter housing shortages post World War I, thehighly-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.

Theaward-winning Aspen Grove development scheme has benefited from more than £4m through Welsh Government'sHousing Care Fund. Cardiff Living hasworked withCardiff-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.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: "It was wonderful to be at Addison House today and see what a fantastic building we have delivered - the first of our new Community Living schemes, with nine more to follow across the city. It's going to be a great place to live!

"While it's crucial that we are building more new council homes across the city to meet unprecedented demand for good quality, affordable housing, it's also essential that we are building the right sort of homes and here are 44 low carbon, modern council homes that  promote independent living and can meet the needs of tenantsat every stage of their lives.

"We've had a lot of interest from tenants who are looking to downsize from their current property and this would free up some larger homes in the city, that we can allocate to families on the housing waiting list.

"I'm sure all the new tenants will be very happy with their new homes when they move in in the new year."

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: "I am pleased that through the Welsh Government's Housing Care Fund we were able to support this new and exciting scheme.

"In delivering homes for people at every stage of their life, the scheme will support older people to maintain their independence in accommodation that meets their needs both now and in the future.

"It's encouraging to see that all of the homes have been designed to be low-carbon and will incorporate renewable technologies and smart energy management systems.

"The scheme will also help us to deliver our ambitious goals of providing more affordable and good quality homes for people in Wales."

Wates' Residential Managing Director for Wales, Edward Rees 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."

In addition to Addison House, the Council has plans for nine more Community Living Schemes across the city representing an investment of more than £200m into 600 older people's homes. Construction is underway on schemes at Leckwith Road, St. Mellons and Bute Street, with developments also on the way to Maelfa, Llanedeyrn; Channel View in Grangetown and Ely to name a few.

Thecommitment to build new homes that meet older people's needs is part of the Council's wider housing development programme to create 4,000 new homes for Cardiff over coming years, 2,800 of which will be council homes to help address the high demand for good quality, affordable homes in the city.