Cysgod y Gogarth

Cartrefi Conwy’s £4M+ flagship state-of-the-art eco-friendly development promotes and supports independent living for older people. Cysgod y Gogarth replaced two ageing sheltered housing schemes in Llandudno consisting of 30 flats and bedsits at Llys Seiriol and the adjoining Llys Eryl in St Andrew’s Avenue, because they were not fit for purpose and did not address the local housing need.

Cysgod y Gogarth is the first new Independent Living scheme that Cartrefi Conwy has developed and we wanted to make sure that it met the needs of older people now and in the future.

Designed by award-winning architects RPP, their design and access statement incorporated many features in keeping with the town’s local buildings and Victorian history. Cysgod y Gogarth is more than just a housing scheme; it is a hub for the wider community, encouraging interaction through social activities and events led by the tenants and local residents.

The homes have been built to the Code for Sustainable Homes – Level 4 standard (the minimum standard for Wales is Code Level 3) which incorporates many innovative features to meet the environmental benchmark for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. This provides tenants with the benefits of an energy-efficient home, with affordable running costs.The development has been built to the ‘Life Time Homes’ standard which means as the health, wellbeing or mobility needs change as residents get older, we can easily adapt the property to suit individual requirements. This includes RNIB Visibly Better Accreditation, meaning all aspects of the build and interior design have been considered to enable people with visual impairments to live independently with minimal adaptations and support. This is done by ensuring that there is sufficient visual contrast between surfaces allowing them to navigate comfortably around their new home.

All of the apartments have been designed to create modern and functional living spaces, with open-plan kitchens leading onto spacious living areas. The development also benefits from sustainable technology and sets new standards in energy efficiency which help keep utility costs low.

Key Facts

• Each unit has been accredited with Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.
• The space heating for both the apartments and four houses is served via Combined Heat and Power (CHP) communal system. The heating boiler plant and CHP are installed in the apartment block with pipework run within trenches to each house. Each apartment and house has its own heat interface units with separate meters. The average heat consumption for both the flats and houses amounts to £4.41 per week (£230 per year).
• A total of 70 PV solar panels have been installed to the roof of the apartments with
  a total capacity of 17.50Kw providing a total annual generation of 14752kWh, the
  equivalent of £2360 in electricity bills.
• 1750 tonnes of waste (88%) diverted from landfill
• 86% of eligible materials recycled
• Sub-contractor total value of works £1,783,000 with £1,539,000 spent in Wales (86%)
• Suppliers’ value of work £391,663 with £126,105 spent in Wales (76%)
• 100% labour employed from North Wales with 70% labour employed from within Conwy County Borough Council area with the main contractor RL Davies
• £5000 contributions/sponsorship
• 1 apprenticeship completed and gained NVQ Level 2 carpentry and joinery