“It’s not just about building homes” 

CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council has agreed an ambitious plan to deliver over 2,000 additional new and affordable homes across the county over the next five years.

The Housing Regeneration and Development Delivery Plan, approved by Full Council this week, will not only create affordable and sustainable homes for local people, but will support economic growth across Carmarthenshire – supporting businesses, people and places during their construction and beyond.

The 2,000 new homes are in addition to other previously agreed housing delivery plans, which have already delivered over 1,000 new homes a year ahead of target, with the keys to more than 100 homes just being handed over to tenants.

Cllr Linda Evans, Cabinet Member for Housing, said the £300million investment is not just about housing, but supporting the development of strong sustainable communities – places were people want to live and work, and giving people quality homes that are energy efficient and affordable to run.

“This is an exciting and ambitious plan that will see considerable investment in our communities,” she said.

“It will make a big contribution to the need for new and affordable homes across the county, and of course supporting the county’s economy.

“A few years ago, in 2019, we announced our plans to build 900 new council homes over the next 10 years – this plan extends the ambition further, as we review and take advantage of new opportunities.

“This plan includes houses to rent and buy in areas across the county – homes that will meet the needs and demand of the specific area.

“It’s not just about building homes, these homes will be of a high standard and sustainable, homes that people of all ages will be very pleased to call ‘home’.”

The plan was developed following extensive consultation with tenants, people on the housing register, businesses and stakeholders in the housing sector.

Cllr Evans added: “I would like to thank our tenants and partners for their contribution and feedback to our recent consultation – 2,500 people responded and their comments have helped us to create an ambitious plan. We are now turning this vision into reality.”

The 2,000 homes will be of mixed tenure – to rent or buy – and developed based on the needs of people in each area of Carmarthenshire, in town centres, rural towns and villages and key regeneration sites such as the Pentre Awel Life Science Village and Tyisha in Llanelli.

It will involve the council building new homes, working with local housing associations and private developers; buying homes from the open market; and leasing homes from landlords via the council’s in-house lettings agency Simple Lettings.

The plan will play a key role in increasing the supply of social rented homes in Carmarthenshire, including specialist supported accommodation for people with complex needs and easily adapted flexible accommodation for people as they grow older.

The investment will boost the local economy, providing jobs and training opportunities during their construction and helping Carmarthenshire recover from the devastating economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also supports the council’s Net Zero Carbon principles, creating energy efficient innovative homes, minimising carbon emissions and promoting affordable warmth for residents.

Cllr Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “Almost all of these homes will be net carbon zero – sustainable and efficient homes for our residents, which – as we continue to fight climate change and with rising energy costs – are vitally needed.”

For more information about the council’s investment in housing, if you are looking for a home or are a landlord with a home to lease to the council, visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/housing