Urban Village offers flexible working space

Freelancers and home workers are being given the chance to operate from a new dedicated ‘coworking’ office.

Community Interest Company (CIC) indycube has opened its fourth South Wales site at 220 High Street after the success of its operations in Cardiff.

Indycube is the latest tenant to move into Coastal Housing Group’s Urban Village development. A £25million scheme for the regeneration, redesign and rebuilding of the High Street and Strand Row areas of Swansea, the Urban Village offers retail, commercial and living space.

Indycube opened at the Media Centre at Culverhouse Cross in Cardiff in March 2010 as Wales’ first coworking space. The concept, which is well established in the US and is now taking hold in the UK, offers those who are traditionally home-based or anyone else who works alone the use of a desk, wifi and boardroom facilities for a set fee of £10 per day, or cheaper if more days are pre-booked.

Following the success at Culverhouse Cross, the company has started on a process of expansion across Wales, with the new Swansea site its fourth after two further coworking spaces were opened in Cardiff earlier this autumn.

The Swansea site will help indycube, which reinvests any surplus profits for the benefit of the coworking community, continue its ambitious growth plans.

Mark Hooper, indycube founder, said: “It has taken a couple of years for the coworking concept to grow in Cardiff, but now it is established there we are continuing our expansion across South Wales.

“The idea is simple – we offer freelancers and micro-businesses an excellent, low cost way for them to professionalise their business, and get out of the back bedroom or coffee shop. There are also a number of established businesses which have found the coworking experience a better option than the standard office lease.

“The real attraction for many is the community of other businesses in the same space – there’s always someone available to bounce ideas off.

“Over the next year or so we’re looking to expand into other areas around South Wales, with plans for up to 23 indycube sites in, among other places, Bridgend, Newport, the Valleys, Barry and Penarth.”

Gerraint Oakley, Coastal Housing Group’s director of development said: “We are delighted to secure a tenant in indycube. The confidence of indycube to select Urban Village as the location for its operations is further evidence of the strength of the Village’s appeal, services and amenities.”

Anyone interested in indycube can find more details at www.indycube.biz

Coastal’s Castle Quarter - an outdoor classroom for Swansea students

A group of students from Swansea Metropolitan University were given a lesson in regeneration and demolition when they paid a visit to Coastal Housing Group’s newest development - Castle Quarter.

With demolition having just started on site, two groups of students from Swansea Metropolitan University took part in the field trip. Students from the HNC and HND Building Studies and BA (Hons) Project and Construction Management courses were given a real life insight into the £8 million land regeneration scheme to aid them in their studies so that they can apply practical experience to their relevant courses.

More than 16 students took part in the field trip, as Coastal seeks to increase its relationship with the University as part of its commitment to improve the communities in which it works.

Coastal Housing Group plans to invest in regenerating the land off Castle Lane, conveniently located in Swansea city centre. This development is 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 4 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 Castle Quarter development is a unique project in the city centre. The project consists of the demolition of properties on The Strand level before the construction phase may begin.

Locally based demolition contractor L.G Murphy (Swansea) Ltd, have been engaged to carry out the demolition of the buildings. The family run business has over 45 years of experience and has undertaken a variety of complex projects during this period.

Clare Watkins, head of Coastal’s supply chain targeted recruitment and training programme, said: “We are consistently looking to develop our relationships within the education sector and we already have an excellent relationship with Swansea Metropolitan University which we are pleased to be strengthening further. This visit to our Castle Quarter development is just one of the projects we are running in conjunction with local organisations and we are receiving excellent feedback from all concerned.”

One student to have benefitted from the link up is 23 year old, BSc Project and Construction Management student Mairead McGoldrick. She said: “We are obviously learning a great deal of theory through the course but it’s so beneficial to supplement this with real life case studies of schemes being undertaken by large players within the regeneration sector. Everyone really enjoyed the visit and learning about the various mechanics and technology required in such work – it certainly helps us translate theory into practice.”

During the visit, representatives from Coastal’s demolition contractor, LG Murphy, talked of the issues and methods of demolition when working on a complex site such as Castle Quarter, whilst Coastal addressed the importance of community consultation and inclusion.

The development represents a significant investment by Coastal in the local economy. Subject to planning permission being secured, the project will create jobs and training opportunities during construction, including apprenticeships. In addition, jobs will also be created in the commercial units once they open for business.

Programme Director, Mike Cullis of Swansea Metropolitan University added: “We are reliant on organisations like Coastal Housing Group to support our academic courses - the benefit to students is phenomenal. Whilst Coastal was at the height of its High Street regeneration scheme we carried out site visits and this started our relationship. It’s a vital learning tool and we hope that the relationship will continue to grow as Coastal increases its development plans across the area.”

The Coastal Housing Group supports people by developing homes and communities across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. It has one of the largest affordable housing development programme in Wales, investing over £30m every year.

The organisation offers desirable, affordable homes, for rent and sale, to people with different needs, lifestyles and accommodation preferences. It is expert in supporting people who require adapted homes, help in managing their tenancy and provides specialist services for older people.

Coastal Housing is an industrial and provident society, existing only for the benefit of the community. It is run by a voluntary Board of Management that includes tenant members.

 

Welfare Reform Survey (Tenants/Leaseholders Only)

NOTICE FOR EXISTING COASTAL HOUSING TENANTS/LEASEHOLDERS: 

Please complete and return the welfare reform survey on the following link:  www.coastalhousingsurvey.co.uk

What have you got to lose?

The government is planning major changes to the welfare benefits system over the next few years. Coastal can use the information you give us to make sure we can offer the right help and support to those who may be affected by these changes. 

Return the form by 15th December 2012 and you will be entered into a prize draw to win:-
Star Prize – An iPad!
2 x – Kindle Fires
5 x £100 in shopping vouchers
Plus the 1st 250 returned will receive a £10 shopping voucher

The survey can also be completed online at www.coastalhousingsurvey.co.uk

New Appointment to improve employment and training opportunities in the supply chain

Coastal Housing Group appoints to improve employment and training opportunities in its supply chain

Coastal Housing Group has appointed Clare Watkins to head its supply chain targeted recruitment and training programme amongst the Groups’ construction framework and maintenance partners.

Clare, originally from Cardiff, is responsible for maximising the benefits of securing construction and maintenance employment and training opportunities for people living across Coastal’s operating area. She has vast experience of working within the social housing sector having worked for both housing associations and their contract suppliers since 2003.

The Coastal Housing Group supports people by developing homes and communities across south west Wales. It has one of the largest affordable housing development programme in Wales, investing over £30m every year.

The organisation offers desirable, affordable homes, for rent and sale, to people with different needs, lifestyles and accommodation preferences. It is expert in supporting people who require adapted homes, help in managing their tenancy and provides specialist services for older people.

Clare said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Coastal Group at such an exciting time. The company is rapidly expanding its operating area and targeted recruitment and training within our supply chain is an important aspect of leaving a lasting legacy in the areas in which we work – I am looking forward to delivering some great projects that will have an impact on local communities.”

The Group has recently announced its construction framework of eleven companies, which will bid on projects between £1m to £60m. Clare will be responsible for working with the Groups’ construction framework and maintenance partners to ensure that employment and training is sustainable and that community projects are supported.

Clare will also be ensuring that procurement within Coastal Housing Group’s supply chain contains social inclusion clauses thus widening the scope of what is already a successful approach to providing opportunities for communities through procurement.

Speaking of her appointment, Coastal Housing Group’s director of development Gerraint Oakley said: “We are thrilled to have Clare on board. She brings with her a wealth of experience and starts her role at an exciting time for the organisation.”

Coastal Housing is an industrial and provident society, existing only for the benefit of the community.  It is run by a voluntary Board of Management that includes tenant members.

Pontardawe pupils are right up Pennant’s street

Pupils (L-R) Cerys Jones, Serian Harries 

and Hannah Bate unveil the new street 

names at Parc y Dderwen, inspired 

by Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg's Year 6

Children from the Swansea Valley have the honour of naming three new streets in Pontardawe.

Year six pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontardawe were given the opportunity to leave their legacy in the local area by getting creative and entering suggestions for the street names in Pennant Homes’ new Parc y Dderwen development.

After approval from the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, the new streets will be named Oak Hill Way/Ffordd Tyle’r Dderwen, Clos Y Cwm, and Maes Yr Ysgol, thanks to the inspiring entries from the school’s pupils.

Mr Ceri Emanuel, headteacher of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontardawe, said “The children can’t wait to see their creative ideas come to life when the new street signs are put in place. The development is going to be a big part of our lives whilst under construction and this competition means that the children have truly had a say in a small part of their community.”

Sandra Marsh, Pennant Homes’ commercial manager, said, “We were overwhelmed with the quality of the children’s entries and are very happy with the final approved names. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the school on this occasion and hope there will be more opportunities for us to engage with the younger members of our community in the future.”

Properties on the new housing development in Pontardawe are being snapped up months before the foundations are even laid, thanks to a unique first-time buyer scheme.

About Pennant Homes & Parc-y-Dderwen

The Parc y Dderwen development consists of 81 new homes – a mix of properties ranging from two bedroom bungalows to three bedroom townhouses.

Through Pennant Homes’ Homebuy scheme, new home owners own 100 per cent of their property, but only pay a mortgage on 75 per cent of it, keeping monthly repayments affordable.

Another benefit of the home buy scheme is that no part of the 25 per cent loan has to be repaid until the property is sold.

Pennant Homes, part of the Coastal Housing Group, has over 30 years experience of providing homes and creating communities. It offers affordable housing, built to high specifications, across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, with plans to extend its development area across the breadth of South Wales to Pembrokeshire.

It offers a fresh approach to the housing market, specialising in providing homes for first time buyers through its Homebuy loans, where up to 25 per cent of the cost of selected properties can be funded and the initial deposit reduced to 5 per cent or less subject to status. Pennant Homes offers opportunities for people to own their own home who might otherwise be unable to do so.