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.”

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”.

In partnership with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board’s Women and Child Health Division, Charter are offering a midwife- led ante-natal service at its community house on the Fairview estate. Owned by Charter, the house is used by all members of the community.

The aim is to provide accessible and comfortable ante-natal services to mums to be in familiar surroundings, where they can benefit from the support of other mothers and health professionals in the area. The service will provide health checks and advice from qualified community midwives in the run up to the birth, as well as the opportunity to attend support sessions once baby is born.

Ante-natal services will be brought into the community offering on-going support to mothers and families. Future plans include parent and family sessions and a parent and toddler group.

For further information contact Kate Aspinwall on 01633 678514