Residents urged to register interest in housing scheme

* An artist's impression of the scheme.

A call has gone out across Denbighshire for eligible residents to register their interest in moving into a £12m landmark extra care housing scheme now under construction.

And such has been the interest already in Awel y Dyffryn in Denbigh, that Grŵp Cynefin, the housing association behind the 66-apartment scheme, has urged would-be tenants to sign up sooner rather than later in order not to miss out.

It is to hold an information day, in Denbigh Museum, on Wednesday 15 May between 2pm and 7pm.

Construction on the site of the derelict former Middle Lane School is due for completion in mid-2020.

Preference for tenancies will be given to Denbighshire residents aged 60 and over.

Awel y Dyffryn will meet the needs of older people who want to live independently in their own homes, but with care and support available 24 hours.

Tenants will be able to access shared facilities including a restaurant; activities room; communal lounges; landscaped gardens and laundry.

Grŵp Cynefin and Denbighshire County Council staff will be on hand at the open day, to explain the specification of apartments, about communal rooms and shared facilities, the services on offer, and also how to apply to be considered for an apartment.

Extra benefits on offer will include intergenerational events to tackle loneliness and mental health, together with other social and leisure activities.

Awel y Dyffryn is Grŵp Cynefin’s fifth extra care scheme, and its second in Denbighshire. Its other, long-established, schemes are located in Bala, Holyhead, Ruthin and Porthmadog.

Its accommodation will comprise 42 two-bedroom and 24 one-bedroom apartments.

Awel y Dyffryn is a joint project between Grŵp Cynefin and Denbighshire County Council, with financial support from the Welsh Government,

Grŵp Cynefin chief executive, Shan Lloyd Williams, said: “Awel y Dyffryn will not only help meet the supported housing needs of older and vulnerable residents in the county.

“A number of years ago, Grŵp Cynefin pledged to provide tenants with more than just housing. So we’ll also be offering many services, events and activities, to help support the overall good health and wellbeing in the wider community.”

Head of housing services, Noela Jones said: “The addition of a quality new housing development alone, is a breath of fresh air to Denbigh town centre, where the former grammar school building had been declining for a number of years.”

Phil Gilroy, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Community Support Services said: “We are pleased to be working with Grŵp Cynefin on this project which will provide quality housing as well as support residents’ well-being.

“Extra care housing is a key part of our Corporate Plan and making more housing options open to people in Denbighshire is a priority for us.”

Awel y Dyffryn is being developed by local contractor, R L Davies, of Colwyn Bay.

* For more information visit www.grwpcynefin.org