Welsh Government Minister praises our new energy efficient Cardiff homes
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, has described our new homes in Cardiff as “an excellent example of high quality, energy efficient and affordable homes.”
She made her comments during a visit to Three Brewers Court, our new development of 50 one and two-bedroom apartments at Colchester Avenue, Penylan, Cardiff.
Built on the site of the former Three Brewers pub and adjoining car sales showroom, Three Brewers Court is our first apartment development built to meet the highest EPC A rating. The homes are set in two adjoining blocks with a Co-op store on the ground floor.
The homes have been designed with:
- high levels of insulation on the outside walls
- triple-glazed aluminium windows and doors, which are among the most efficient on the market
- air source water heating, which takes heat from the outside air to heat up water in a cylinder tank
- latest MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery) systems that circulate warm fresh air and reduce condensation
Outside there are rain gardens to absorb excess water and drain it away slowly, reducing the impact on the drainage system and the risk of flooding. There is also car parking, bike stores and outdoor communal gardens for residents.
The all-electric homes aim to reduce fuel poverty for the residents who are due to move in at the end of February 2024. It is estimated that the average yearly energy bills to run a two-bedroom apartment will be around £307 and £216 for a one-bedroom property.
Anne Hinchey, Group Chief Executive at Wales & West Housing Group, said: “We were delighted to give the Minister a tour of our new homes at Three Brewers Court and show her how we are building homes to help reduce running costs for residents.
“In recent years we have learnt a lot about the way we build new homes and the different types of heating and hot water systems we can fit that reduce the carbon impact and improve energy efficiency.
“All our new homes are built to achieve EPC A rating without the need for gas or oil heating, making them comfortable and affordable for our residents to heat and run as well as being low carbon.
“The homes at Three Brewers Court are some of the warmest new homes we have built and contribute to setting the standard for our future homes.”
Anne Hinchey, Group Chief Executive at Wales & West Housing Group
“We are committed to working with Welsh Government and playing our part to help deliver its target of 20,000 new low-carbon social homes for rent during the current term of government.”
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, said: “This new development will provide much needed social housing for residents in Cardiff as well as encouraging active travel and helping people and families save money on their energy bills.
“It is an excellent example of the type of high quality, energy efficient and affordable homes we’re trying to provide for people and families in Wales.”
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James
Three Brewers Court was developed in partnership with Cardiff Council and part-funded with Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant.
Project timeline
- February 2020: plans were submitted to Cardiff Council, just before the national lockdown
- March 2021: demolition work on the scheme began
- November 2022: work was suspended when construction partners Jehu Group went into administration
- January 2023: work resumed as we employed the sub-contractors, who were already working on the site, and brought Neath-based Hale Construction to manage the site
- February 2024: homes ready for residents to move in