Primary Pupils Christen Completed Extra Care Development 'Llys Glyncoed'

A £5.5 million extra care scheme completed by the Leadbitter Group on behalf of long-time Client Linc-Cymru has been named Llys Glyncoed by the pupils of Glyncoed Primary School.

Situated at College Road in Ebbw Vale, the new development offers 41 apartments, complete with communal facilities such as a shop, library, laundry and hairdressing salon, as well as a restaurants and residents’ lounge. The scheme also has a conservatory with a roof top terrace overlooking a landscaped garden.

To select the name of the development, Leadbitter and Linc-Cymru held a competition at the local primary school. The name was formed from three different entries, with each pupil receiving a £10 Argos voucher and the School receiving a £100 donation from Linc-Cymru.

From a construction perspective, the location of the development presented a challenge, with disused underground mines situated below the site requiring significant grouting – some as deep as 40 metres – before work above ground could commence.

Despite this, the scheme is set to achieve a BREEAM “Very Good” rating thanks to the use of sustainable design techniques. The altering of ground levels from the outset meant that spoil was not taken from the site, thus reducing both waste to landfill and lorry movements. Additionally, the timber-framed building, with traditional brickwork and render, incorporates the use of solar panels for hot water provision and rainwater harvesting.

Trevor Saunders, Linc’s Executive Director of Operations, commented on the new scheme: “We are delighted with Llys Glyncoed. The project was completed successfully and on time thanks to the strong partnership between Linc and Leadbitter. The feedback from our tenants, their families and staff who work there has been very positive.”

As with all Leadbitter projects, the Company worked extensively within the community to ensure that local residents were fully informed about progress on the site. Satisfaction surveys distributed to both residents and businesses upon completion of the project revealed that people were pleased with how Leadbitter worked in their area and the Company’s efforts to keep them informed throughout the construction.

Additionally, health and safety talks were given to local school children to educate them about the dangers of building sites, and they were invited to tour the site during construction. Bricklaying demonstrations were also given at local schools and Leadbitter also provided seminars to local trainee tradesmen.

The Company also donated spare timber to Glyncoed Primary School and helped them fence an area for their entry into the Blaenau Gwent in Bloom competition, for which they received the third place prize.