Cardiff-based developer Lovell has won a building contract to develop 269 new homes and a 32-bedroom care home in Portskewett, Monmouthshire.
Housing association Melin Homes along with housing developer Candleston and Monmouthshire County Council chose Lovell on the build and design scheme at the Crick Road site in Portskewett.
The £45m project will create 201 open market homes available for sale through Candleston and 68 affordable homes available through Melin Homes, including a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three, and four-bedroom houses.
The development will also see green spaces throughout the site including a community growing area, paths with benches, a play area and walking routes.
Pedestrian footways will also be implemented to allow people to walk between the existing residential area to the south of the development, the local schools and amenities in Portskewett.
The care home will be managed by Monmouthshire County Council and feature individual ‘houses’ designed around a communal, courtyard garden.
Lovell is set to begin construction work this month. Overall, the project will be delivered over five phases and take approximately four and a half months to complete.
James Duffett, Lovell’s regional managing director said that, following the signing of the Placemaking Wales Charter, the scheme will provide much-needed new homes for the local area.
He said: “We’re very excited to be working with Melin Homes, Candleston and Monmouthshire County Council to deliver this project. We have been working with Melin Homes on our £16.8 million Golwg Y Bryn development in Ebbw Vale, where 30 affordable homes are being delivered on behalf of Melin, and are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership.”
Paula Kennedy, chief executive of Melin Homes, said: “I am very proud that through collaborative working, our new development at Crick Road has started on site. With an investment of £55m, this is our biggest development in Monmouthshire.”
She added: “The homes will be complimented by green spaces, surrounded by picturesque countryside. The development will benefit the local economy through employment opportunities, green areas, community projects, and a positive approach to the local environment with a variety of options for active travel and greener living.”
Councillor Penny Jones, cabinet member for Social Care, said the partnership with Melin Homes and Candleston has enabled Monmouthshire County Council to integrate plans for the new care home into the housing development.
She said: “The Crick Road care home has been developed by people who have experience of and work in residential care work. Its aim is to provide a ‘home from home’ for people with dementia to live their lives in a setting where they can continue to enjoy their interests and connect with their community.
She added: “This care home will support 32 people living with dementia. The home will see four smaller households established, all at ground level, each for eight people. The aim is to reduce scale and create a familiar environment that looks and feels like a home that any of us would recognise. A new staffing model will focus on being with people and not doing to or for, alongside the close involvement of families we will ensure the fullest involvement of the residents in all elements of daily life.”
