Twenty-five new energy-efficient homes being built by Swansea Council are almost ready for occupation.

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New council homes in Hillview Crescent, Clase – and Swansea Council joint deputy leaders Andrea Lewis and David Hopkins on site.

The properties, all three-bedroom family homes, are being built in Hillview Crescent, Clase. They will soon be available to local people at affordable rents.

They have been built as part of the council’s drive to create 1,000 new council homes from 2021-31. The plan includes investment of £56.2m over the four years to 2024-25.

Andrea Lewis, the council’s joint deputy leader, said: “The properties at Hillview are some of Wales’ most energy-efficient new homes and will be wonderful for tenants.

“The council team behind the new homes has done a tremendous job, building something very special.

“Good quality, affordable Swansea homes for rent are in great demand for single people and for families. We’ll continue to build new homes help meet this need.

“Better homes for our residents is one of the critical building blocks of creating a better future for children, for families and for our city.

“Right through the pandemic we’ve continued with our house-building programme because our new homes will improve people’s health, reduce poverty and contribute to happier communities.

“Under our More Homes initiative, the new homes we’re building are the first we’ve built in a generation. They’re breaking new ground in levels of energy efficiency so our tenants will be able to keep fuel bills down.

“Our commitment to better homes will also continue to create new construction skills and hundreds of jobs for our communities. Better homes is about building a better Swansea.”

Funding for new homes and upgrades for existing homes is coming from the rents paid by tenants, Welsh Government grants and Housing Revenue Account borrowing. None of the spending is from the council tax.

Recent work has included the creation of 18 homes in Colliers Way, Penlan, and eight flats in the former Bryn House, Uplands. The programme also includes new homes in West Cross, Gorseinon and Ravenhill. Other opportunities are planned and being sought.

The Hillview homes will be ready for occupation in April and May.

Hillview is set for a visit today (Wednesday 16 March) from delegates of the Climate Change Committee, an independent body set up to advise the UK Government on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

The committee is visiting a number of UK regions to talk about the challenges of achieving net zero and reducing carbon emissions and to see a variety of schemes which are being developed to help meet those aims.

Following the visit, a report is set to be presented to Parliament in June 2022 on the findings.

Lord Deben, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said: “It is great to be heading to Swansea as we seek to learn more about delivering a fair Net Zero for the UK across regions, local authorities and in communities. To reach Net Zero, the work of Swansea Council alongside the actions of local people and businesses is key and we can’t do it without you. What we hear from these conversations will help to inform our advice to the UK Government, due to be published in June.”


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