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<\/a><\/p>\nCartrefi Conwy formulated the rebuilding because Llys Seiriol and Llys Eryl, which are both around 50 years old, do not meet Welsh Government housing quality standards.<\/p>\n
The association believes the best way forward is to demolish both blocks and replace them with a single development.<\/p>\n
The new development, designed by award-winning architects, would feature a total of 30 new homes, including a diverse mix of 26 apartments, of one and two bedrooms, plus four houses, two with two bedrooms and two with three bedrooms.<\/p>\n
Fronting on to St Andrew\u2019s Avenue and designed to give the outward appearance of a row of traditional terraced houses, the development would have ground, first and second floor levels, with the upper floors being served by a lift – something which the existing blocks do not have.<\/p>\n
It would be surrounded by landscaped gardens and have parking areas reserved for tenants and their guests.<\/p>\n
Each home is designed to be fully accessible for disabled tenants, with a modern bathroom and fitted kitchen.<\/p>\n
Existing tenants have been given the option of signing up for a place in the new development and moving into temporary accommodation until it is ready or transferring to other Cartrefi Conwy housing schemes.<\/p>\n
A sizeable number have opted for the new development and at the briefing session were delighted to hear from Cartrefi Conwy\u2019s housing project manager Eiry Davies about what progress is being made on the scheme which will become their new home.<\/p>\n
She explained to them that the full planning application for the scheme was submitted to Conwy Council in October.<\/p>\n
If the blueprint gets the go-ahead work will start on site early next year with completion of the project expected in May of 2015.<\/p>\n
Eiry also told tenants the association was keen to have the views \u2013 not just of the people who will eventually live there but also of residents of seven or eight neighbouring Cartrefi Conwy housing schemes \u2013 on the facilities the hub should include, and a possible name for the whole development.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe want the hub to be a place where everyone can come together, enjoy meeting friends and using the facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
People at the meeting were given slips of paper on which they were able to jot down their suggestions, and these were taken away for assessment.<\/p>\n
Nerys Veldhuizen, the association\u2019s older person\u2019s engagement co-ordinator, said later: \u201cPeople came up with all sorts of interesting suggestions for activities and events they\u2019d like to see taking place in the community hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese included everything from armchair aerobics and a book club to music and luncheon clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great to have residents\u2019 input and we\u2019ll now look very carefully at all their ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tenants who were at the meeting said they were glad to have been updated on the new development and to be given the chance of having a say in what the community hub will have to offer.<\/p>\n
Among them was 54-year-old Linda Mullin who lives in the Cartrefi Conwy sheltered scheme in St Andrew\u2019s Avenue.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cBecause I only moved into my flat in May and don\u2019t live in either of the two blocks affected by the new development, I hadn\u2019t really heard much about it, so it was very useful to have the briefing meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I\u2019m looking forward very much to using the community hub it was also good to be given the opportunity to have a say on what things should be on offer there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kind of activities I\u2019d like to see is bingo, tea dances and line dances, which are all very popular with people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olwyn Rowlands, 78, who has already left Llys Eryl and gone into temporary accommodation nearby until she can move into the new development, said: \u201cI was very glad to have been invited to the meeting to hear all about what\u2019s happening with the new building. It\u2019s nice to be kept abreast of what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to moving in to a smart new flat and of having use of the community hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019d like to see included in it is a computer room because I like to use a laptop to keep in touch with people and to see what is happening in the world. I love dancing and so I\u2019d also like to see us have ballroom and line dancing and maybe even some karaoke sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin Stallard, 60, who lives in the Cartrefi scheme in Norman Road, close to the where the new development will be built, said: \u201cI think it\u2019s very good that it will have a community hub which everyone can use, not just the people who live there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve suggested it would be nice to have coffee mornings where everyone can get together and, as I\u2019m a real fan, I\u2019d also like to see soul music sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n
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