Plans submitted for innovative new council homes in Birchgrove

Sixteen energy efficient council homes could soon be constructed in the Birchgrove area of the city.

Swansea Council has submitted a planning application to build 12 one-bedroom flats and four two-bedroom flats on a 0.52-acre plot of land off Ffordd-y-Bryn.

The pilot scheme is part of the council’s long-term strategy for providing additional council housing in the city.

Plans would see the new homes built to innovative Passivhaus standards, boosting energy efficiency by including thermal insulation technology, while cutting fuel bills and helping Swansea reduce its carbon footprint at the same time.

Passivhaus specialists Archetype are helping with the design work.

The homes would also be constructed to Lifetime Homes standards, meaning they’ll be equipped to meet the current and future needs of residents.

Works will be funded by revenue from council rents and not from council tax.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services, said: “These are exciting times for council house construction in Swansea because, subject to planning permission, these will be among the first homes we’ve been able to build since the 1980s because of UK government restrictions that have now been lifted.

“The planned homes in Birchgrove will help meet the need for one and two-bedroom accommodation in Swansea, while incorporating energy efficiency standards that will save residents money, tackle fuel poverty and strengthen Swansea’s status as a city that takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously.

“The plan is for our award-winning corporate building and property services team to carry out the building work themselves, which will boost people’s skills and lead to more apprenticeship and work experience opportunities for Swansea residents in future.

“This planning application builds on consent that’s already been given for a similar pilot project on Milford Way in Penderry. Depending on their success, other schemes of this kind could follow in years to come.”

The Milford Way scheme will be made up of 10 two-bed semi-detached houses, as well as eight one-bed apartments. Construction is expected to start later this year.