Plans to build 32 new council-owned flats in Newtown to tackle a housing shortage in the town has taken a step forward.
Powys County Council has announced that J. Harper and Sons (Leominster) Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the energy-efficient affordable housing - which is made up of one-bedroom flats - on the site of the former Robert Owen House in Trehafren.
Part funded by the Welsh Government, the development will see the council own and manage the new homes, which will be allocated to tenants through ‘Homes in Powys’ – dubbed a one-stop shop for all social housing in the county.
Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “One of the priorities of the council is to tackle the housing emergency in the county and this can only be achieved by building high quality council housing.
"That is why we have committed almost £79m as part of an investment package to build more than 310 new council homes.
“Not only is this development in Newtown part of our ambitious house building plans, it is also an important project for this council to help tackle the housing emergency.
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“This is an exciting development that will meet the needs of the local community and I look forward to working with J. Harper and Sons to deliver one of our important priorities.”
J. Harper and Sons also won the contract to build 22 homes on the former Llanidloes livestock market in Gorn Road, which was completed in late 2022, as part of the Powys County Council's programme to build 250 new homes by 2025.
Michael Harvey, Group Commercial Director of the company, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Powys County Council, who are investing to provide much need housing within the county.
“As a company, J. Harper and Sons are committed to helping combat the housing crisis through the construction of new energy efficient homes.
“We look forward to starting on site and delivering high quality homes to the local community.”
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