FiAH Supports Development of 6 New Homes in Flintshire
January 18, 2024
Northop United Reformed Church Northop, Mold, Flintshire
Faith in Affordable Housing (FiAH), partnering with Wales and West Housing (WWH), were part of the creation of six Passivhaus-standard homes at Llys Capel in Northop, Flintshire, in North Wales where the Northop United Reformed Church (URC) previously stood.
After 85 years as a thriving space for worship and community, the 1932 building sadly came to the end of its working life and the URC National Synod of Wales made the difficult decision to sell. The URC National Synod of Wales are very committed to supporting the provision of affordable homes through the disposal of their property (see their affordable housing policy here), in acknowledgement that the relief of the poor, needy or homeless is a duty consistent with Christianity, and they therefore worked with the Faith in Affordable Housing Project (Housing Justice Cymru) to identify a suitable Housing Association partner. In 2018 the URC accepted an offer from Wales and West Housing (WWH) for the building, and in June 2019 WWH received planning permission for four houses and two flats on the site.
Committed to producing homes that are not just truly affordable, but that are also innovative and future-proof, WWH designed an ambitious scheme to certified Passivhaus standards. Passivhaus is seen as the gold standard of energy efficiency in house building; as well as significantly reduced energy bills and minimal carbon emissions, occupants will also experience cleaner air in their homes, beneficial to both their physical and mental health. Following a tender process, WWH brought Beech Developments on board as contractor, and funded the scheme using both Welsh Social Housing Grant and the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme.
Beginning in July 2021, Beech Developments soon made the discovery of a time capsule hidden during the 1932 build. Students from Ysgol Owen Jones were invited by Beech and WWH to create a new time capsule, buried at the new site in July 2022. Beech also carried out a presentation showing the children how the new houses were built, along with how the sun can be used to heat homes. Progress on site was very swift due to a panelised system of building. Completed on 20th October 2022, the new tenants soon moved in and were welcomed by the local community, who have expressed their appreciation for the considerate way the development was handled by WWH as well as the appearance of the homes, which they feel are in keeping with the village.
As with all FIAH schemes for social housing, the community received benefits, with Beech sponsoring the local cricket team as well as paying into a community fund, and local electrician and plumber apprentices being employed onsite. Additionally, WWH paid for the installation of pillars that house original stones from the chapel, to honour the history of the site.
THE ORIGINS OF THE OLD BUILDING ARE REMEMBERED AND CELEBRATED
