The most energy efficient homes in Mid Wales?

The new 17 one and two-bedroom development on the site of the old Welshpool Social Club has been heralded as the “most energy efficient that Mid-Wales Housing has ever developed”, the housing association has claimed.

Residents have now moved into their new energy efficient ‘PassivHaus’ standard homes located on Brook Street, known as Croft Court.

The scheme provides 17 one and two bedroom apartments over four floors, three of which are fully wheelchair adapted.

The apartments are designed ensure that the costs of heating and lighting will be kept to the absolute minimum, according to Mid-Wales Housing who say the development harnesses solar power for the additional benefit of all residents. 

They say that the response from residents has been positive with one telling them that “t is the best place I have ever lived”.

The Social Club closed in January 2016, 50 years after it first opened as The Workingmen’s Club.

The homes were built by Powys based development contractor, Mid-Wales Property Ltd, who committed to a local employment policy to maintain a strong local supply chain, as a key part of the development programme.

The scheme has been developed with the assistance of £1.9 million funding from the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme, where the emphasis is on the development of innovative and highly energy efficient construction to reduce energy costs.

Alex Dawson, Senior Development Officer at Mid-Wales Housing, said: “The Innovative Housing Programme is a very positive and welcome initiative by the Welsh Government. It allows more development of interesting and high quality homes in a shortened time frame, and here at Mid-Wales Housing we are keen to be at the forefront of new ideas and to provide more high quality affordable homes.

“Both myself and colleagues are pleased to hear that the new residents are now enjoying living in these new homes and taking advantage of its unique design and energy efficiency. The feedback we receive will directly influence how we develop our homes in future. We would like to wish all the residents every happiness in their new home.”