Cwrt Canna is an award-winning £3.4 million development of 13 highly energy efficient homes.
The 4 x one-bedroom apartments, 8 x two- and three-bedroom houses and 1 x two-bedroom bungalow were built to resemble a collection of farm buildings, set around a central courtyard space.
Energy efficiency and thermal comfort
Built by our Flying Factory partner, Canna Developments, for our client, Newydd Housing Association, Cwrt Canna is an award-winning social housing development located in Llangan, Wales. The scheme was named ‘Best Affordable Housing Development (under £5 million)’ at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2022 and won the category for ‘Delivering High Quality Homes’ at the Welsh Housing Awards.
Cwrt Canna ticks all the boxes for ‘beautiful and functional’ housing. However, the judges felt the environmental and social value benefits of the scheme elevated it above and beyond a traditional housing development. First and foremost, the homes have been constructed to the Passivhaus standard, which can dramatically cut energy bills and curtail carbon emissions – two very important considerations for housing providers that want to combat climate change and tackle fuel poverty.
An award-winning social housing development that raises living standards
Modelled in the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and constructed around a sustainable timber frame, the homes at Cwrt Canna are astonishingly energy efficient. As a result, Passivhaus raises living standards and can even help to lift families out of fuel poverty. Residents will enjoy comfortable temperatures and there will be no problems with damp and mould.
Furthermore, a highly efficient and inexpensive Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) system provides the residents with a continuous supply of warm, filtered fresh air that’s free from dust, allergens and airborne pollutants.
Creating social value through a prisoner rehabilitation scheme
Social value was a hugely important part of this project. The proposals included a prisoner rehabilitation scheme, a community engagement programme, training and apprenticeships. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the day release aspect of the project. However, it started again later in the year. In total, we employed 8 prisoners from HMP Parc and 12 prisoners from HMP Prescoed to fabricate timber modules. Canna Developments has since employed 3 of these individuals. Canna Developments hired two people involved in the scheme on full-time contracts, and a third person as a site foreman.
Taking on apprentices that had lost their work placements
Unfortunately, many apprentices lost their work placements due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, they were able to take advantage of the apprenticeship opportunities at Cwrt Canna. As of March 2022, 6 apprentices completed a total of 298 apprenticeship weeks. Of these, one continues to work as an apprentice on-site and three have found full-time employment.
More than a social housing development
Cwrt Canna is adjacent to Llangan Primary School where activities are taking place in partnership with Canna Developments. What’s more, work is currently underway to build an outdoor shelter in the rear car park for children to use during school pick-up times. Discussions are also taking place to improve the external play area for the nursery for year-round use. In addition to this, Friends of St Canna, who run the Old School Room in Llangan, received a monetary donation.
Closing thoughts
In conclusion, we’re extremely proud to have been involved in this award-winning social housing development. It was certainly a pleasure to work closely with Canna Developments, alongside Newydd Housing Association, and we greatly appreciate the accolades and recognition we’ve received since the scheme was officially completed.
