Collapse left building site deserted but now 100 homes development in North Wales can re-start

The collapse of a developer left a building site in North Wales deserted for a year. Housing group ClwydAlyn had appointed Lane End Developments Construction to build 100 homes in Deeside.

They started work on the affordable properties in the summer of 2022. But in April 2023 the company went into administration with sites left abandoned as workers were made redundant.

ClwydAlyn have been working hard to restart the development with affordable properties much needed in the area. They've now confirmed that work is underway, with Castle Green Partnerships leading on the build. Read more: Wales tourism tax: What we know so far about visitor levy, from when it's coming in to who will pay

The Deeside development is part of the Northern Gateway located on the former Corus Garden City site. A revised planning application was submitted between ClwydAlyn and Castle Green Partnerships and subsequently approved by Flintshire County Council. The scheme will see Castle Green Partnerships deliver 100 new homes across six acres for ClwydAlyn, in partnership with Flintshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

ClwydAlyn and the St Asaph-headquartered homebuilder have successfully worked together before and they said they’re keen to move this development forward as quickly and safely as possible given the delays to date. It is hoped that tenants will be moving into their new properties in late 2025.

ClwydAlyn executive director, development, Craig Sparrow, said: “These homes will make a big difference for local people in an area with a growing demand for affordable housing, so we are extremely pleased that this much-needed project has restarted. One of our overriding aims as a housing association is also to tackle fuel poverty and we are delighted that these homes will benefit from the latest energy efficiency technologies.

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“All the homes will be heated using air source heat pumps and will incorporate solar electricity panels.”

It will include 24 one-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom bungalows, two three-bedroom adapted bungalows, 30 two-bedroom houses, 35 three-bedroom houses, and six four-bedroom house.

The homes are being built using sustainably sourced, precision-made timber frames, which is a fast, reliable method of building, with lower CO2 emissions than that of traditional building methods. A play area will also be provided on the site.

Eoin O’Donnell, partnerships director at Castle Green, said: “The Deeside scheme marks a milestone for the Partnerships business as it means we’re now contracted to deliver more than a thousand affordable homes across North Wales and the Northwest of England. We’ve worked closely with ClwydAlyn to ensure we’ve been able to navigate the planning system to amend the design of the homes, achieve planning and mobilise on site in less than a year. We recognise there’s a growing need for affordable housing and we’re committed to helping housing associations deliver those homes in a timely manner.”

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