Recognition at The Green Organisation's Green Apple Awards

We are delighted to announce that our Harbour Quay development was recognised at The Green Organisation’s Green Apple Awards held in Canary Wharf, London in June.

The Green Apple Awards are designed to recognise environmental and sustainability best practice, and Harbour Quay won the ‘Building Project – Housing Association’ category for the best residential building project commissioned or delivered by a housing association.

Completed in February 2012, Harbour Quay consists of 69 one and two bedroom apartments, nine of which are suitably adapted for tenants with disabilities. Judging was based on areas such as environmental benefits, social benefit, visual impact, innovation, energy efficiency and waste reduction.

The development was praised for its sustainable features which included its timber frame construction, materials that were sourced from sustainable certified sources within a 30 kilometre radius, and the main roof covering of the building which was formed utilising demolition rubble – to create a ‘brown’ roof, allowing vegetation to potentially grow over the surface.

Grow your own... At Vetch Veg

In August 2011 the Vetch Veg project was born. Based on the historic site of the Vetch football field, an urban utopia has been created in the heart of Swansea.

Vetch Veg is an artwork and site specific project working in collaboration with the community of Sandfields, Swansea. The work is co-ordinated by Artist Owen Griffiths, commissioned by Adain Avion cultural Olympiad Wales.

This collaborative project with local residents has seen the pitch at Vetch, the iconic football stadium that, in 2012 would have celebrated its centenary, transformed into edible land. This has provided the residents and the surrounding community free space in which to work together, growing produce, keeping bees and chickens etc.

The grand finale of the project was the Vetch Veg Flower and Produce Show, which took place in June 2012 when the Adain Avion plane came to Swansea.

Sarah Bennett, Housing Services Manager and Chris McDonnell, Estates Co-Ordinator visited Vetch Veg recently to see how four of Coastal’s tenants, who had taken plots had done.

The tenants, Dawn and Tim Mitchell, Wayne Morgan and Liz MacNamara, all live in Coastal homes in the Sandfields. Living in flats, they have no gardens and could only grow plants in pots and tubs. They became involved after seeing posters inviting local residents to attend a meeting last August.

Our tenants told Sarah how their gardening skills have literally grown over the last 12 months.

For more information visit: www.vetchveg.co.uk

Housing benefit is changing... Will you be affected?

Over the last few months we' ve talked about the Housing Benefit Reform, which is coming into force in April 2013.

If you receive Housing Benefit, then these Government changes may have a big impact on you. It is important you understand what impact it will have.

How many bedrooms?

From April 2013 the Welfare Reform Act states that if you receive Housing Benefit and have more bedrooms than you need, the money you get from Housing Benefit will be reduced, giving you a choice of:

• Paying the additional rent yourself and continuing to live in your present home

• Or, if you can’t afford the extra rent, moving to a smaller property.

If you are unsure of whether this applies to you, it is important you contact us as soon as possible to find out and discuss your options. Doing nothing is not an option, as it means you will find yourself in rent arrears and it will be much harder for us to help you.

Contact your Housing Officer or telephone Coastal Housing on 01792 479200 for more information on Housing Benefit Reform.

Further development news...

We have a number of Coastal schemes at different stages of development, here is some updates on a few of them:

Wellfield Gardens, Cross Hands
Pennant has secured the acquisition of this site for the development of a mix of 58 two-bed, three-bed and four-bed affordable homes. Development of this scheme is due to commence early part of 2013, with the properties ready in 2015.

Empire Cinema, Ropewalk, Neath
Work has now started on the Empire Cinema development in Neath. The main construction is due to commence September 2012 and when complete the development will consist of eight two-bed and four one-bed apartments. The scheme will also have seven parking spaces, external drying and bicycle store.

Tennat Park Phase one
Due for completion in April 2013, Tennat Park phase one, off Crymlyn Road, Skewen will consist of two three-bed self contained adapted wheelchair bungalows for families identified by Community Services and supported by NPTCBC Housing.

Castle Quarter Plans

Plans for an exciting new development which could help transform a historic part of Swansea’s city centre are now on display

We are planning to invest almost £8 million in regenerating land off Castle Lane, and this development will offer affordable accommodation and new commercial units all under one roof. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Swansea’s historic castle remains, the Castle Quarter development will consist of 26 affordable rented apartments, with a further four duplex units overlooking the castle which are available for private sale. 

The ground floor of the development will consist of a small number of commercial units, including a kiosk located on The Strand. The development represents a significant investment by Coastal into the local economy. Subject to planning permission being secured, the project will create more than 50 jobs during construction – which will also include apprenticeship opportunities. In addition, around a further 60 jobs will be created in the commercial units once they open for business.

Coastal’s Director of Development Gerraint Oakley said: “This project represents a significant investment which we hope will reinvigorate this historic part of the city centre. We have a unique opportunity to develop something special here which will offer affordable accommodation in a city centre location.”

With the development located so close to Swansea Castle, we have worked closely with the local authority in designing the development and with other consultees to ensure the castle’s historic value is preserved.