GREEN LIGHT FOR HOMES AT COED DARCY

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has resolved to grant detailed planning permission for a new phase of housing at Coed Darcy in Neath, South Wales.

St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and owner and developer of the £1.2 billion sustainable community and its joint venture partner, Persimmon will develop 302 properties at the northern end of the 1,060 acre site, creating up to 880 jobs locally. Work is expected to start as soon as July with the first homes anticipated to be completed ready for occupancy by Christmas.

This scheme will provide a range of one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes as part of wider plans to establish Coed Darcy as a community of more than 4,000 homes supported by education facilities, including three primary schools, a secondary school and a range of community, sports and retail facilities.

Rupert Joseland, South Wales Regional Director for St. Modwen, said: “The development of these high quality properties with Persimmon is an important milestone in the delivery of Coed Darcy, as we work with partners to bring new housing opportunities to the region.

“Aimed at first time buyers and families alike, the properties will be located within the first of three residential neighbourhoods situated near the main entrance to the development. The neighbourhoods will be linked by village greens and play areas in order to create a well integrated community that will draw on the natural surroundings of the area to make it an attractive location for people to live.

“As the scheme develops, residents and people working at Coed Darcy will be able to access shops and community facilities at a new Main Square planned as the social heart of the scheme as well as a variety of leisure and recreational facilities located around the development.”

Andrew Crompton, Regional Land Director for Persimmon Homes West Wales Region, said: “This is wonderful news for everyone associated with Persimmon and we really can’t wait to get started. A number of jobs will be created through this development, both through Persimmon and the supply chain which is further cause for celebration.

“We have been in detailed negotiations with the local authority and the Prince’s Foundations for 18 months now and have arrived at designs which will incorporate traditional design materials and features.

“Attention to detail is absolutely key and people can expect timber windows, slate roofs and a mixture of brick and render finishes. Block paving and granite materials will be used on the residential streets and each forecourt enclosure will boast Victorian style street furniture and lighting.”

“Coed Darcy is a wonderful part of the world and an area that we are thrilled to be involved with. The location offers so much for everyone with links to Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot on the doortstep. We really can’t wait to get going and we would like to thank everyone during this planning process, from local residents to everyone at the local authority as well as our joint venture partner, St. Modwen.”

The application is the second to be submitted in Wales under the joint venture established between St. Modwen and Persimmon in August 2010. The first was for 307 homes at the £1 billion Glan Llyn scheme in Newport. Under the joint venture agreement, approximately 2,000 homes – with an end value of £300 million – will be built on seven St. Modwen owned sites in the UK over the next five years.

Visit www.coeddarcy.co.uk for further information.