Builder’s major care contracts plough £40 million into North Wales economy

An award-winning builder is nearing completion on three state of the art extra-care housing schemes across North Wales which have boosted the regional economy by over £40 million and created more than 150 jobs.

Flintshire-based Anwyl Construction have been engaged on two major projects for the Pennaf Group, in Flint and Llangefni, worth over £17 million in total and one for Grwp Cynefin, at Porthmadog, costing another £8 million.

The company estimates that the three projects have created more than 30 apprenticeships in various construction trades across North Wales and strengthened locally-based building supplies companies.

Anwyl Construction Director Tom Anwyl, who heads up the company’s Contracts Division, said:

“These have been major builds which are important not just for us but also for the building industry and the local economies across North Wales.

“It demonstrates that here in North Wales we have the skills and proven track record to deliver projects which are varied and present different challenges.

“We share a commitment with our clients, Pennaf and Grwp Cynefin, that these contracts should mean jobs, work and apprenticeship opportunities across the region.

“We have worked with them and with the local authorities to identify sub-contractors in the areas where these projects are sited so that we use local labour and local supply chains and this ensures that the value of these contracts goes to the local community.

“In any contract approximately 80 per cent of the money goes on wages and with at least three-quarters of the workforce recruited locally that means a massive boost to the area’s economy.

“We can have up to 100 people on a single site at a time and over 75 per cent of them live within a 40-mile radius and with each £1 in Wages estimated to be spent three times locally it means that we’re keeping the spend within those communities.”

The construction company, based at their own purpose-built headquarters at St David’s Park, Ewloe, are completing the schemes for major social housing providers the Pennaf Housing Group and Grwp Cynefin in Flint, Llangefni and Porthmadog.

Extra Care housing offers an independent lifestyle option for older people who are able to live in their own one or two bedroom self-contained apartment while accessing a wide range of communal facilities together with access to 24 hour individual care and support when needed.

Craig Sparrow, Corporate Director Commercial Services for The Pennaf Group, said:

“Our Extra Care housing schemes have been made possible through partnership support from the Welsh government and the Local Authorities.

“Wherever possible on all our development schemes across the region, we work with contractors who are using locally-sourced labour and supply chains and providing local apprenticeships.

“At Pennaf we are committed to working with partners like Anwyl Construction to create opportunities for apprenticeships and work experience while creating great housing options for local people.”

Grŵp Cynefin Community Services Director Carina Roberts said:

“Grŵp Cynefin is passionate about making sure the communities around our new developments benefit as much as possible from our investment, through apprenticeships and jobs, as well as by spending in the local supply chain.

“It’s good to see that our £8 million investment at Hafod y Gest is achieving this.”

Llys Raddington in Flint, one of the two Pennaf Schemes, includes 73 Extra Care apartments to house over 100 over-60s who either live in Flintshire or who have a strong connection to the County.

The second Pennaf scheme is Hafan Cefni, Llangefni, where there are 63 self-contained apartments, and both buildings include a restaurant, laundry services, activity rooms, staff offices, a mobility buggy-store and car parking.

At Hafod Y Gest in Porthmadog, for Grwp Cynefin, Anwyl Construction have built a new two- and three-storey building with 40 extra care apartments for over-55s and communal facilities including kitchen and dining room, a hairdressing salon, a rooftop conservatory as well as therapy suites, fitness rooms and hobby rooms.