Cardiff-based developer Lovell selected to build brand-new scheme in Portskewett

Leading partnerships developer Lovell has been selected as the preferred developer on a design and build scheme in Portskewett, Monmouthshire.

Melin Homes, Candleston and Monmouthshire County Council have chosen Lovell as their partner to develop 269 new homes and a 32-bedroom care home at the Crick Road site in Portskewett.

The £45 million project will create 201 open market homes available for sale through Candleston and 68 affordable homes available through Melin Homes, including a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

The care home will be managed by Monmouthshire County Council and feature individual ‘houses’ designed around a communal, courtyard garden.

Lovell won the building contract due to its ability to deliver high quality homes whilst adhering to robust health and safety standards, and is set to begin construction work this month (February). Overall, the project will be delivered over five phases and take approximately four and a half years to complete.

James Duffett, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the Crick Road project. This scheme will provide high quality, much-needed new homes for the local area and create a sustainable place for people to live and work, which they can feel proud to call home. Following our signing of the Placemaking Wales Charter, we will ensure that the Crick Road scheme promotes residents’ happiness and well-being.

“We’re very excited to be working with Melin Homes, Candleston and Monmouthshire County Council to deliver this project. We have been working with Melin Homes on our £16.8 million Golwg Y Bryn development in Ebbw Vale, where 30 affordable homes are being delivered on behalf of Melin, and are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership.”

Paula Kennedy, Chief Executive of Melin Homes, said: “I am very proud that through collaborative working, our new development at Crick Road has started on site. With an investment of £55 million, this is our biggest development in Monmouthshire and one that will provide 68 affordable homes and 201 open market properties through our subsidiary Candleston.

“The homes will be complimented by green spaces, surrounded by picturesque countryside. The development will benefit the local economy through employment opportunities, green areas, community projects, and a positive approach to the local environment with a variety of options for active travel and greener living.

“The partnership with our subsidiary Candleston, Monmouthshire Council, Gwent Regional Partnership Board, Welsh Government and Lovell will truly make a difference to people’s lives, something we are passionate about at Melin.”

Scott Rooks, Commercial Director of Candleston, said: “This is a fantastic new development, and our largest to date following on from our first two development at Coed Glas, Abergavenny and The Grove, Llanfoist.

“Candleston is a local leading housebuilder of high-quality sustainable homes, whilst making long-term investment into communities. The Crick Road development will offer a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes for sale. The first phase is due to commence early 2022, with the first completions anticipated spring 2023.”

Councillor Penny Jones, cabinet member for Social Care at Monmouthshire County Council, said: “Our partnership with Melin Homes and Candleston has enabled us to integrate plans for the new care home into this important housing development, placing residents’ needs first and putting community at the heart of this project.

“The Crick Road care home has been developed by people who have experience of and work in residential care work. Its aim is to provide a ‘home from home’ for people with dementia to live their lives in a setting where they can continue to enjoy their interests and connect with their community.

“This care home will support 32 people living with dementia. The home will see four smaller households established, all at ground level, each for eight people. The aim is to reduce scale and create a familiar environment that looks and feels like a home that any of us would recognise. A new staffing model will focus on being with people and not doing to or for, alongside the close involvement of families we will ensure the fullest involvement of the residents in all elements of daily life.”

Crick Road will benefit from green spaces throughout the site, such as a community growing area, paths with benches, a play area and walking routes beyond the site, as well as retain protected habitats. Pedestrian footways will also be implemented to allow people to safely walk between the existing residential area to the south of the development, the local schools and amenities in Portskewett.

Lovell is a leading provider of partnership housing and has been building communities for 50 years. For more information, visit www.lovell.co.uk.

To register your interest in Crick Road, visit https://candlestonhomes.co.uk/crick-road/.

To find out more about Melin Homes, visit www.melinhomes.co.uk.