CONSTRUCTION of new homes in Colwyn Bay has moved a step closer following the acquisition of land formerly part of Rydal Penrhos School by Castle Green Homes.
The homebuilder announced plans to develop the site back in 2021 when it held a public consultation ahead of a planning application being submitted to Conwy County Council in spring 2022.
Detailed planning permission to build 63 homes on land at Rydal Penrhos Preparatory and Pre-School on Pwllycrochan Avenue in Colwyn Bay was granted in April.
As part of the redevelopment of 15 acres of land the Preparatory School science and IT building, assembly hall and associated outbuildings will be demolished.
Development director at Castle Green Homes Simon Finlay said: “Conwy has a housing land supply issue alongside increased demand for homes in areas of North Wales. The acquisition of this fantastic site has been four years in the making and will help meet local housing need. From initial offer and acceptance during the days of Covid, through legals and then into planning, it’s been quite the journey and has taken a brilliant collaborative effort by many people to make this happen. The result is that we have acquired a site that will be a most beautiful development with spectacular views across Colwyn Bay and over the Irish Sea.”
Work on the site is due to start in September.
The development will be marketed as Rydal View, with the first homes scheduled to be released for sale in the autumn
Rydal View will offer 44 private sale properties in a choice of three and four-bedroom designs ranging from 1,300 to 2,250 sq ft. There will also be 19 affordable homes, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties. Two of these will be for discount to market sale and the remaining 17 for rent.
The development will comprise three distinct residential parcels from three separate points of access from Oak Drive, Pwllycrochan Avenue and Kings Drive, the latter of which will be from Castle Green’s Signature Range.
Central to the scheme is a children’s play area, which will be set in an amenity grassland area adjacent to two existing mature trees.
During the planning process a package of community investment worth more than £265,000, payable to the local authority, was agreed.
“Housing developments like Rydal View have wider economic benefits over and above simply providing new homes. We’re making an education contribution of more than £160,000, will pay almost £50,000 towards public open space, with funding also allocated for parking, library amenities, allotments and waste,” Simon added.
“Using the Home Builders Federation Housing Calculator, the construction of 63 new homes will support the employment of 195 people, including jobs in the supply chain along with those on site.
“It would also generate £759,339 in tax revenue including £71,155.98 in council tax revenue. Plus, our acquisition of the preparatory school site has helped secure the long-term future of Rydal School and enabled the preparatory and pre-school to relocate to the main school campus.”
The new homes are to be built in a leafy location, bounded by woodland and in an established residential area, close to the town centre.
A range of existing services and facilities including schools, health services, public transport, employment opportunities and town centre shopping facilities are all within walking distance of the development.
Potential purchasers can register their interest in the new homes in Colwyn Bay via https://www.castlegreenhomes.uk/our-developments/north-wales/rydal-view.
Caption: An example street scene of new Castle Green Homes similar to those to be built at Rydal View in Colwyn Bay