One Newport based housing and support provider, the Seren Group, are aiming to resolve this problem for their residents. They are currently developing groundbreaking new homes at Mariners Quay, alongside Newport’s river front. These new homes are specifically designed to substantially reduce utility bills, which could cost as little as £5.00 per week.

Developed in partnership with Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited, Leadbitter and the Welsh Assembly Government, the homes are being built in the historic area of Newport known as Old Town Dock.

Mariner’s Quay will provide over 100 homes for affordable rent through Charter Housing and for sale through the Newport City Living Home Ownership Scheme, operated by Fairlake. Properties will range from one and two bedroom apartments to family homes. The first homes will be ready this summer.

Innovatively built to incorporate the latest environmental technology, the new homes will include features such as triple glazing, water efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting to reduce mains water consumption, an on-site electricity generator and sun boxes to capture the warmth of the sun.

Mariner’s Quay is designed to achieve Level 5 rating under The Code for Sustainable Homes and, once completed, will be the largest scheme in Wales and one of the largest in the UK to achieve this rating. The new development will be at the forefront of 21st century living, encouraging a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Residents will receive a detailed ‘Green Guide’ and a personal consultation explaining how to get the best out of their cutting-edge new homes.

Scott Sanders, Director of Housing at Charter, part of the Seren Group, said “This is a very special development and particularly suitable for people who are looking for an affordable new home and who care about the environment. With construction well underway, Mariners Quay is already taking shape and we hope the exciting design and additional green features will be a flagship for new homes in the future”.

For further information about Mariner’s Quay contact:
Home Choice Team on 01633 678538 or visit www.fairlakeliving.co.uk

The new development, Blenheim Chase, is being driven by a partnership of the local business community and residents, Fairlake, Charter Housing, Torfaen County Borough Council and Lovell.

A specially adapted 24-tonne excavator is being used by housing developer Lovell to systematically demolish the external structure of the precinct’s old shops. This will allow the installation of infrastructure and services to be carried out in the spring ready for work on the second phase of housing to begin later this summer.

The demolition work at the shopping precinct was watched by representatives from Torfaen County Borough Council, Lovell and Fairlake. Guests included the owners of the general store and the hair salon formerly based at the precinct which have just moved into purpose-built new premises – built through the regeneration project – to the south of the old shopping square.

The first phase of the regeneration has seen the creation of 13 new homes, including eight properties for sale, two bungalows for affordable rent and three bungalows for affordable home ownership. There is already a lot of interest in the second phase of new housing, with a number of ‘early bird’ reservations already taken on some of the two- and three-bedroom homes, which will also include seven affordable homes for Fairlake.

Rhidian Jones, Fairlake’s Home Ownership Manager said: “We are pleased to be able to offer further quality homes for both affordable rent and sale through the Help2Own scheme. Blenheim Chase is a superb development located in a much sought-after area in Cwmbran, the new homes will go some way towards helping meet the need for affordable homes in Torfaen and in particular provide much needed assistance for first-time buyers wanting to buy their first home.”

Graham was a vital part of Charter Housing’s Board for many years, being appointed tenant Board Member in 2005. Graham was passionate about trying to make sure that tenants got the very best services possible, and that Charter stayed focussed at all times on doing what was right for the people who live in a Charter home.

Graham was appointed Vice Chair in February 2006 and became Chair of Charter Housing in September 2008. As a wheel chair user, Graham was an avid supporter of Charter’s accessible housing and lifetime homes projects. He gave up huge amounts of his time and got involved in many, many projects over the years, nothing was ever too much trouble for him.

Graham was also involved on the Board of Governors of one of his local schools and did voluntary work for the police.

Kathryn Edwards, Corporate Director of Charter Housing said “Graham was one of the most selfless and positive people I’ve ever come across. Life had not dealt him the greatest of hands, but he never complained or felt sorry for himself. He always looked on the bright side and did his very best to do what he could for the benefit of other people. He truly was a unique and special person, and we at Charter will all miss him hugely”. Graham leaves behind his wife Lynda and their daughter Bethan.

Following an office briefing session, the team descended onto Grosvenor Road with litter picks, high viz jackets, tea making facilities and sweets for the kids. At first it seemed it was going to be a quiet affair. How wrong could they be! The team knocked door to door and within an hour loads of children appeared to join in the litter pick. Rubbish filled two skips, a third skip was delivered and a Council van also made a few trips to the refuse site with large items such as beds and fridges. By late afternoon everyone was exhausted and happy to see the children off to a lunch and disco at the local community centre. This was their reward, together with lots of cream eggs, for their help in litter picking the estate and surrounding area.

All the partners involved agreed the clean up had been a great success. Not only did it get rid of a lot of rubbish from homes on the estate, but it highlighted the importance of disposing rubbish responsibly. It was also great to see the residents working together improving the environment in which they live.

Built on the former Twyncarn Community Hall site in Cwmcarn, it is the result of a successful partnership between Caerphilly County Borough Council, Seren Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Exclusively for the over 55s, the development is a mix of contemporary 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, that were available both to rent or to buy.

The visitors were particularly impressed with the enhanced specification used throughout the development, which was specifically designed to maximise an independent style of living, whilst having the flexibility and accessibility to accommodate any changes in its residents’ circumstances and lifestyles.

It is hoped that this type of accommodation will become a flagship for future older persons accommodation across the borough.

Cwrt Twyncarn has proved extremely popular, with all apartments now reserved.

Bernard Allen, a Charter Housing, tenant, kindly presented the charging unit on behalf of Newport social disability group DOORS.

Bernard said “DOORS would like to thank Charter for supporting our work, making it easier for electric wheelchair users to get around the City. As far as we are aware this is the first time a charging unit has been offered in a housing association reception area. This will have a huge, positive impact on wheelchair users living and visiting Newport.”

Ailsa Yeoman Evans, Tenant Participation Manager at Charter Housing said “We are delighted to be able to provide this new service, which is free of charge. It will allow disabled people greater accessibility when visiting our office and will allow them to travel around Newport city centre without the fear of losing battery power.

“The charging unit plugs directly into a normal electric socket and into the battery of a wheelchair and is compatible with 99% of wheelchairs and small scooters.”

DOORS has already worked with Newport City Council to have charging units placed in the Riverfront theatre and the library in John Frost Square and hope to install another unit in the Civic Centre in the near future.

• Cutting the cost of credit
• ‘Working for me’
• Tips for a healthier Christmas lunch
• Wheelchair charging points in Newport

Plus a whole lot more. You can download the edition using the link below (you’ll need Adobe Acrobat to read the magazine).

Download the edition here: Contact Winter 2009 (45)

Charter funded the training of three electrical apprentices working at CW Electrical. The apprentices worked exclusively on Charter’s electrical upgrade and maintenance projects and completed the Modern Apprenticeship qualification in electrical installation, following four years of training.

Due to the success of the apprenticeship scheme it has been extended. Three further apprentices have been given the opportunity to learn the trade as well as benefitting from on the job training.

Charter was the first housing association in Wales to fund this type of collaborative apprenticeship scheme and other housing associations are now following their lead with similar schemes.

The newly qualified electricians are employed by CW Electrical and will continue to work on Charter properties. They will also continue to study additional courses to further advance their training.

Charter took the lead managing the project’s staff and administering European and Local Regeneration Funding worth £750,000, whilst building the skills and capacity of the community management group to take over the project.

The centre employs three staff, one of whom is a tenant of Charter Housing. The centre is now completely independent with no grant funding being received since April 2009. Income is generated through a community café, room hire and partnership working with Communities First who rent space in the building.

Over 200 people use the centre every week, many taking part in youth activities and mother and toddler groups. The centre also supports a number of small enterprises which are just starting out.

For several years Quadron have delivered maintenance services to Charter’s properties across South East Wales. As soon the announcement was made, Charter realised the termination of the contract would result in the loss of employment for 44 members of staff who worked on Charter’s properties. This would have potentially caused major disruption to maintenance services to Charter’s 4,200 homes. Charter moved quickly to directly employ the 44 members to form an in-house maintenance department.

Kathryn Edwards, Corporate Director said “We had to take immediate action in order to safeguard not only the 44 jobs, but also the service provided to our tenants. The Board were very supportive of our decision. We are now looking forward to building on the service provided by Quadron staff in the past”.