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.

Retail Units & Office Space at Urban Village

The Urban Village is creating the “village life” atmosphere offering shops, offices, restaurants & apartments that will encourage visitors from all walks of life therefore incorporating the creative hub which will encompass everything from bespoke craft & fashion design to digital arts, broadcast media publishing and advertising.

The Urban Village is looking for retailers that can offer that special something to help with the creative culture that we wish to generate at the village to sell a lifestyle that many would love to buy into. If you are that particular retailer then the Urban Village is for you.

For more information on the Retail Units or Grade A office space at Urban Village contact:

CLC Chartered Surveyors
Peter Loosmoore
01792 52 44 52
pete@clcproperty.co.uk


ejhales
Mathew Cocks/ Matthew Morgan
02920 39 74 78
matthew@ejhales.co.uk
mattc@ejhales.co.uk

Competition... Rename the magazine

You may have noticed Homefront has had a facelift in recent issues. To mark this change we are running a competition to find a new name for the magazine.

What’s going to happen?

We would like you to send in your ideas for a new name for Homefront. We’ll shortlist the top names for the next issue (Winter 2012) and then ask people to vote for their favourite. The winning entry will receive £250 high street shopping vouchers and the new look magazine and name will be launched in Spring 2013.

Email your your suggested new magazine name to: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk

Closing date 30th November 2012

We are also keen to find out what you think of the magazine and if you have any suggestions to improve it.

Please feel free to send your suggestions to:
Coastal Housing Group Ltd, 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW
T. 01792 479281
E. ask@coastalhousing.co.uk


Competition rules apply.  There is no cash alternative to prizes but an alternative may be
offered. Prize Draws and competitions are open to ALL readers of Homefront – except staff
or Board Members of Coastal Housing Group – unless otherwise stated.

Swansea High Street’s regeneration moves forward as Mosaic Cafe opens its doors

Swansea High Street’s Urban Regeneration project is taking a huge step forward with the opening of a new venue, Mosaic bar and bistro.

This is the latest venture from Andrew John and Brennan Street and forms an integral part of Coastal Housing Group’s new Urban Village.

Andrew and Brennan said “The Urban Village development is totally in line with our ethos of developing a ‘quirky’ but aspirational venue which is unexpected. We believe that Mosaic is an engaging venue where people can enjoy the city’s finest when it comes to coffee, food, company and wine.

“The High Street regeneration can only be a positive move forward. It gives a clear signal to local and national businesses that Swansea means business and if development continues in this manner will attract more new retail and restaurant outlets like Mosaic.”

The Mosaic menu is inspired by both local and exotic ingredients and is designed to please all tastes and budgets. Andrew and Brennan also intend the space to serve as a launch pad for new musicians, artists and comedians through a yet to be announced calendar of exciting events.

The Urban Village is the new home of over 100 of Coastal Housing Group’s Swansea based staff, securing the complex’s reputation as the flagship development for the regeneration of High Street. Coastal received £900,000 grant from the Swansea Regeneration Area for its Urban Village regeneration programme. It is intended to transform Swansea’s High Street, and bring Kings Lane back into use as the vibrant linkage between High Street and the Parc Tawe site.

Royal recognition for Coastal’s Area Caretaker

Alan Cunningham, an Area Caretaker with Coastal since July 2000 was presented with an award for ‘long and outstanding service’ from HRH Prince of Wales in March this year, for his volunteer work with the Welsh Guard Association over the past 15 years.

Alan served in the Welsh Guards for six years from 1969 - 1975, leaving with the rank of Lance Sergeant. 15 years ago he got involved with the Swansea Welsh Guard Association and is currently Secretary of the Llanelli & Carmarthen Branches of the Welsh Guards Association. Alan’s volunteer work includes looking after the ‘old soldiers’ and veterans and arranging trips and outings for them. 

The presentation took place at Hounslow Barracks where serving soldiers and guardsmen were also receiving awards.

Our Neath office is now officially open!

1 – Coastal Housing’s Chief Executive
Tim Blanch (left) and Cllr Ali Thomas
open Coastal Housing’s new office in Neath

Our new office in Neath has been officially opened by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Leader, Councillor Ali Thomas.

Our office, which serves the 1900 Coastal Tenants living in Neath & Port Talbot, is situated at 41-43 Windsor Road and will be open Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm.



Councillor Thomas said, “I was honoured to be invited to speak at the opening of the new Neath office. Coastal’s commitment is vital to the wider regeneration of Neath Port Talbot County Borough. Coastal is more than just a social housing provider, the staff work hard in the communities they serve and thanks should go to them for their continuing efforts.”


Our Chief Executive Tim Blanch said, “A number of our partner organisations such as the Local Authority, police and voluntary groups attended the opening and it was a great way to say thank you for the way we have worked together, and will continue to work together to ensure Neath is a good place to live. We look forward to strengthening those relationships in the future.”

 (L-R) Coastal Housing’s Chief Executive Tim Blanch,
Cllr Steve Hunt, Cllr Ali Thomas, Cllr Tony Taylor
and Janet Gange, Senior Housing Officer at Coastal 

Tenant Fun Day - August 2012

Our first ever fun day took play on 16th August at Cwrt Herbert Playing Fields, Neath and was deemed to be a resounding success.

The fun day was billed as a family day out and there was something there for all ages.

The whole event was organised and hosted by the Coastal Team who worked hard to make the day a success.

Visitors attending the event were greeted by a Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow look-a- like who with his realistic characteristics set the tone.

In the entertainment areana, the event was opened with a musical group of young opera singers from the Welsh Royal College of Music.

This was followed by a Bird of Prey demonstration

In the sports field we had Olympic events such as – Welly Throwing; Hoola Hooping; Sack Race and Egg and Spoon. Winners all receiving their medals and certificates of participation.

There was a pitch dedicated to aspiring young footballers who had the benefit of professional football coaches with a very popular 5 a side tournament in the afternoon.

Plus throughout the day we could watch skills of the free runners/base jumpers.

As well as all the field activities there were a variety of stalls including – coconut shy; splat the rat; bean bag ladder toss; guess the ‘competitions’; jewellery making ; nail art; tombola, cup cakes, and face painting.

There was also a mini fair ground attractions with the popular bucking bronco, mini waltzers, giant slide and demolition derby.

The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic as everyone joined in the fun. The tug-o-war competition turned into a riot of purple as staff, adults and children all joined in.

The Fancy Dress Comp enjoyed a good turnout with entrants dressed in delightful costumes ranging from Snow White, A Spanish Lady, Pirates and the youngest entrant of all – 8 month old Ashton in his Batman suit.

The event closed with a balloon release of over 200 balloons . AT the time of writing this article, we have had confirmation of 2 balloons reaching the Shropshire Borders!.

On the back of the success of we are looking forward to staging another event like this next year.