LLANNON: 47 new affordable homes completed near Cross Hands in housing association’s first self-built development

A total of 47 affordable homes have been completed in the village of Llannon, near Cross Hands, in a first for one of the region’s biggest housing associations.

The development is the first to be built by Beacon Cymru under its own “self-delivery” model, rather than being handed to an external contractor.

The Swansea-based association — formerly known as Coastal Housing before its rebrand — said managing the build itself had given it greater control over design, quality and costs.

The new homes are a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and bungalows.

All have been built to Welsh Government standards and achieved the top EPC A energy rating.

Renewable technology, including solar panels, has been fitted to help keep energy bills down for the people moving in.

The scheme was not a simple one to build. The site falls by 16 metres from top to bottom, a level difference the association said had added complexity to the project.

Despite that, Beacon said the development had been completed on time.

The homes were funded through the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant.

The association said it had used a largely local supply chain on the build, keeping much of the investment in the area and creating work and training opportunities through its subcontractors.

Rhianydd Jenkins, executive director of development and growth at Beacon, said the project marked a major milestone for the association.

She said building its first self-managed development had shown the strengths of the approach, and that the association was proud of its work with local partners.

She added that the success of the scheme had cleared the way for Beacon’s next self-delivered project, at Swansea Waterfront.

Beacon was formed through the merger of housing associations operating across south Wales, and has a string of developments in the pipeline, including city-centre flats in Swansea.

The Llannon homes add to a growing number of affordable housing schemes being brought forward across the region as associations and councils try to tackle a shortage of social housing.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Planned merger of two Welsh housing associations moves forward with key appointments
How the association behind the Llannon homes was formed.

Former Sancta Maria Hospital to be demolished under new plans for 42 affordable flats in Uplands
Another major affordable housing scheme planned for the region.

Work starts on new homes and business hub at Swansea’s Kings Lane
Construction under way on another city housing project.

People could be living at the former Gwalia housing office under plans by Coastal Housing
Earlier plans from the association now known as Beacon.

Cllr Dot Jones elected as new Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council

On taking the chair, Cllr Jones paid tribute to the outgoing Chair, Cllr Handel Davies and thanked him for his service to the Council.

Cllr Jones will chair the Council for the next 12 months, with her sister, Mrs Ellen Davies as her Consort, and Cllr Giles Morgan, member for Swiss Valley as her Vice-Chair.

Following the Annual Meeting, Cllr Dot Jones, Chair of the Council commented:

“It is an incredible honour to be elected Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council and I can’t wait to start on the work ahead and what will be a busy and fulfilling year.”

Cllr Jones has chosen Blood Bikes Wales as her charity during her term of office.

The Chair is the first citizen of Carmarthenshire County Council and is elected at the Annual General Meeting.

Duties include chairing full meetings of the Council, representing the Council at formal and ceremonial occasions, welcoming visitors to the County, and attending and supporting events organised by local people and organisations.

Cllr Jones has been a County Councillor since May 2017 and sits on the Council’s Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Committee, Licensing Committee and Corporate Parenting Panel.

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Carmarthenshire house builder goes into liquidation leaving half-built development

Stephen Goderski and Oliver Collinge of PKF Littlejohn Advisory have been appointed joint liquidators of Enzo’s Homes.

PKF Littlejohn Advisory were appointed on 27 February and will be responsible for managing the sale of a four-acre industrial site owned by Enzo’s Homes.

Stephen Goderski, Partner at PKF Littlejohn Advisory, said he expected significant interest in the industrial site: “The freehold site is currently fully let to three diverse regional tenants. At just over four acres, split across warehouses and modular offices, the site presents a fantastic opportunity.”

The controversial owner of Enzo’s Homes, Fiorenzo Sauro was fined in 2018 for destroying ancient woodlands at a housing development in Penllergaer. This included a 176-year-old giant redwood tree – one of the first to be planted in the UK. During a trial, Sauro claimed the felling was an accident, but a judge ruled he “deliberately” ordered it to be chopped down to make way for 80 new homes.

Enzo Homes was fined £120,000 while Sauro was fined £180,000. This was later reduced to a combined £100,000 on appeal.

While efforts are being made to sell the company’s industrial site, there is uncertainty over the future of the builder’s unfinished housing development in Llannon, Carmarthenshire.

Enzo Homes’ website shows 12 three and four bedroom homes on the Cysgod yr Eglwys estate in Llannon have been sold, with prices ranging from £235,000 to £380,000. Five further properties are being marketed as available, with 21 properties not yet listed for sale on the 38 home estate.

When Swansea Bay News visited the site on Wednesday (19 March) the unfinished development was fenced off with excavators and diggers left abandoned.

The site looked a long way from being completed, with no completed access road to any of the properties.

Last year Enzo’s Homes abandoned plans for a hundred homes in Pontlliw, Swansea. At the time the company blamed viability issues due to the rising costs of materials for pulling out of the proposed development.

We asked the receivers of Enzo’s Homes what the future of the Llannon development would be and what would happen to the people who were in various stages of purchasing homes on the site.

While Swansea Bay News did not get a response on the Llannon development, Stephen Goderski from the administrators said: “Enzo’s Homes traded for nearly thirteen years prior to its liquidation. We will be engaging with all relevant stakeholders to maximise the return to creditors.”

Administrators say that anyone affected by the liquidation or interested in acquiring the industrial site is being asked to contact Katie Hazle, on 020 7189 1363 or Brendan Clarkson at [email protected].

Have you been affected by Enzo’s Homes going into administration? Were you buying one of the properties in Llannon? Get in touch with Swansea Bay News at [email protected] to tell your story.

(Lead image: Swansea Bay News)

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