Connah’s Quay: Work begins on first new council houses to be built in a generation.

Work has begun on of the first new homes to be built under Flintshire Council’s ambitious Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP).

Announced as the council’s housing partner in 2015, the developer has now begun building work to create 12 new homes at the site of the former Custom House School in Connah’s Quay.

The new development will form part of Flintshire Council’s plans to build approximately 500 new homes across the county by 2020 to accommodate rising demand for social and affordable housing.

With planning permission granted in December last year, the new homes in Connah’s Quay have been designed to incorporate blue brickwork and iconic features recovered from the former Custom House School building.

Pictured in the attached photograph (l to r) are: Ian Power, Quantity Surveyor, Wates Living Space Homes, Adrian Cronin, Construction Manager, Wates Living Space Homes, Cllr. Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council, Cllr. Brian Dunn, local Ward Member, Mick Cunningham, Project Manager, Wates Living Space Homes, Cllr. Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing and Cllr. Aaron Shotton, Leader of Flintshire County Council.

The council’s flagship SHARP programme is the first of its kind in Wales and will see up to 2,000 people employed in addition to the creation of around 20 apprenticeship positions for local people. It is estimated that Flintshire sub-contractors will benefit from work packages totalling £40m throughout the programme.

The start on site at Connah’s Quay closely follows February’s announcement that planning approval has also been granted for the construction of 92 new homes at The Walks in Flint as part of the SHARP programme.

Cllr. Aaron Shotton, Leader of the Council said:

“I am very proud that Flintshire is the first Council in North Wales to start on site with a council house building programme. This is the first development under the Council’s ambitious SHARP plans and with planning permission recently given for over 90 council and affordable homes at The Walks site in Flint our long-held ambitions are now becoming a reality.

“The Council is committed to tackling the housing crisis head on in 2016 and I am delighted that the first new council houses to be built in a generation within our County are to be built in Connah’s Quay.”

Cllr. Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing added:

“The regeneration of this site will enhance the housing opportunities available to local people living in Connah’s Quay and mark the beginning of a very exciting period over the next five years during which new and much needed quality affordable housing will be provided across the County.”