Our aim is to provide two new developments of two bed self contained   apartments, with full access to a variety of communal facilities. We will provide housing for older people to live independent, dignified and fulfilled lives. The two schemes will be situated in the heart of existing and well established communities, in Treberth and the Gaer. The schemes will not look or feel institutional in nature and will be designed to be suitable for a mix of able and less able older people. They will provide a safe and secure environment that supports active ageing.

The apartments, built to Life Time Home standards, will be designed in an eco friendly way, to the highest current BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) standards (excellent) to ensure energy efficiency and lower running costs. They will be spacious with a gross internal area of 71m2, slightly larger than the bungalows.

Communal facilities will include a community hall, dining room (with commercial catering kitchen), residents tea kitchen, hobby rooms, guest room (with ensuite) and assisted bathing rooms. Other facilities are likely to include a Library and internet room, hairdresser, treatment room, and a mini gymnasium.

The schemes are being developed using private finance and without the aid of WAG funding. Therefore all of the apartments in the first instance will be for sale to ensure financial viability. Opportunities to rent are expected to   increase over time. The owners will purchase a 75% market value equity stake in the apartment; the other 25% will remain in NHT’s ownership. Likely market value of a 75% equity share, at todays date, falls in the region of £135,000 to £150,000. The eventual purchase price will reflect market value at the time. Once planning permission has been obtained, members are likely to be able to buy ‘off plan’, possibly from mid 2009 onwards, for a small deposit of £250.

We hope to set up a Home Sales Service and a Move Co-ordinator Service, but no final decisions have been made yet as to how we will assist purchasers to sell their homes and move. A number of potential option models are currently being considered and we will let you know more as they develop!

The Community Living Club (CLC) was launched on 14th November 2007 when 100 households signed up to join the club. Since then a few people have dropped out but membership currently stands at 145 active members – our aim is to have 200+ members within the next year.

The Club members are the potential purchasers who we hope will buy into the schemes. We hold Club meetings (for all members) every three months and send out a Club newsletter every three months. We also hold smaller Focus Group meetings every three months (between the main meetings). These allow for smaller groups of people to share their views with us on  particular areas of interest – these are then fed back to the main group. The date of the next main Club meeting is Thursday 25th September 2008.

Of 126 members who have completed a questionnaire to date – 58 members want an apartment in Treberth, 69 want an apartment in the Gaer and 110 members (of the 126) would also like the option of purchasing a bungalow if possible!

The Project Team working on the schemes consists of NHT as the Client (primarily Clare and Debra but also Richard Williams); Fairlake as the      Development Agent with Tim Beckingsale as the Agency Co-ordinator and Neil Barber as the Team Leader; Davis Langdon as the Employers Agent with Gareth Harris as the Senior Project Surveyor; Ainsley Gommon Architects with Simon Venables; The Contractor and Specialist Consultants are yet to be employed.

Consultation with the club members and existing communities will continue to take place during 2008. During this time our Architects are working with the Planning Department, with the aim to submit for planning permission in early 2009. This may take up to 6 months, following which the detailed design needs to be developed – building up the finer detail. Construction should start on site early 2010 and is likely to last approximately 18 months on each site. Handovers should begin late 2011. The sites will be staggered by approximately 6 months, with construction starting at Treberth first.

If you would like more information, or if you are interested in joining the Community Living Club, please contact Debra Rosser on 0800 328 5508 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .