Caerphilly housing development shortlisted for innovation award

The Beech Tree Gardens development in Caerphilly has been shortlisted in the ‘Innovation’ category at the Constructing Excellence in Wales awards.

The Constructing Excellence in Wales awards are recognised across the Welsh built environment as the biggest and brightest celebration of best practice.

Beech Tree Gardens was developed as the result of an innovative funding agreement between the United Welsh Group and Caerphilly County Borough Council, with funding support from Welsh Government. This landmark development, constructed by Jehu and completed in late 2018, saw the creation of 34 homes, including 16 homes for sale and 18 homes for rent, on the site located just off Watford Road in Caerphilly.

The council sold part of the site at market value to the United Welsh Group who developed the site to enable much needed high-quality homes to be built in the area. Profits from the properties sold at market price under the harmoni homes brand were used to help fund the construction of the affordable rented homes. The council also benefits from an above market rate return on the lease of retained land.

Winners of the Constructing Excellence in Wales awards will be announced on Friday 7^th June, at the thirteenth annual ceremony.

Cllr Lisa Phipps, the council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Places, said “We are very pleased to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.  Beech Tree Gardens is a flagship development which demonstrates how effective partnership working is helping to deliver affordable housing within the Caerphilly county borough.”

Richard Mann, Deputy Chief Executive of United Welsh added, “We’re delighted that this innovative approach to creating quality homes for Caerphilly has been recognised in this way. It is testament to the great working partnership we have with the Council and other key stakeholders and we look forward to exploring other ways to build much needed homes for the area.”