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.”