Council Leader Applauds Affordable Housing Development in Newport
In a significant milestone for the ambitious Glan Llyn regeneration project in east Newport, Persimmon Homes East Wales has officially handed over the latest phase of affordable housing to the Pobl Group. The ceremonial handover, marked by a visit from Newport City Council Leader Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, reflects the collaborative effort between public and private sectors to address the city’s growing demand for accessible and high-quality homes.
The latest delivery includes a modern block of six apartments designed with energy efficiency and community integration in mind. This handover brings the total number of properties transferred to Pobl at the Glan Llyn development to 18, comprising a mix of one-bedroom apartments, as well as two- and three-bedroom homes. These units cater to a diverse range of residents, including individuals, young couples, and growing families.
A Major Step Forward in the £1 Billion Glan Llyn Regeneration
The Glan Llyn project is a transformative £1 billion regeneration initiative led by St. Modwen in partnership with local stakeholders. The development, located on the former Llanwern steelworks site, is set to deliver more than 4,000 homes, 6,000 jobs, and significant new infrastructure including schools, retail, and community facilities over the next 20 years.
Persimmon Homes is playing a key role in the Springfield Meadows portion of the project, where it is building a range of two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom homes. These are currently available from a starting price of £224,995. As part of the project’s commitment to inclusive growth, a portion of each phase must include affordable housing. According to the Section 106 agreement, 10% of homes are designated as affordable, with an additional 8.5% being voluntarily transferred to a housing association, in this case, Pobl.
With strong interest from first-time buyers and families, around 50% of Persimmon’s private sales at Glan Llyn have benefited from Help to Buy – Wales, demonstrating the site’s role in opening homeownership opportunities for those who might otherwise struggle to enter the housing market.
A Focus on Affordability and Community
The commitment to affordability and community development is central to this partnership. Speaking during the recent handover event, Lee Hawker, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes East Wales, expressed pride in the development’s progress and the growing Glan Llyn community.
“Persimmon is proud of the progress we’ve made at Glan Llyn and are particularly happy with how we’ve worked with partners to deliver affordable housing here,” Hawker said. “We are very much committed to leaving a positive and lasting legacy wherever we build—meeting the housing need of the local area and making sure we deliver for Newport. So, I am delighted to be marking this handover of homes on-site.”
For Persimmon, affordable housing is not simply about building homes, but about creating a long-term impact. The firm, which holds a five-star quality rating from the Home Builders Federation (HBF), has made a public commitment to improving standards, engaging local contractors, and contributing positively to the areas in which it operates.
Pobl Group: Anchoring the Vision for Sustainable Communities
The Pobl Group, one of Wales’ largest providers of affordable housing and care services, plays an integral role in ensuring that developments like Glan Llyn serve the broader social good. With over 18,000 homes in management across the country, Pobl has an established track record of providing quality, affordable housing in both urban and rural settings.
Scott Sanders, Chief Executive of Pobl Group, welcomed the handover as part of the organization’s broader mission to create places where people can thrive.
“At Pobl, we’re committed to working in partnership to deliver high-quality, affordable homes where they’re needed most—and Glan Llyn is a great example of that,” Sanders said. “This development has a real sense of place, with green areas and community spaces helping to create a village feel. We’re proud to be part of a project that’s supporting people to put down roots and be part of a thriving, well-connected neighbourhood in Newport.”
Pobl’s involvement ensures that the new homes are not only affordable but also meet the needs of a variety of demographics, including families with children, key workers, and older residents seeking downsized, more accessible accommodation. The homes are built with a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and longevity, aligning with Welsh Government targets to reduce carbon emissions and enhance quality of life.
Local Government Support and Vision
Newport City Council has been an active partner in supporting the Glan Llyn development, both through policy and engagement with developers and housing associations. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, the Leader of the Council, attended the handover to reiterate the importance of collaborative housing delivery in addressing Newport’s housing challenges.
“It was a pleasure to meet once again with Persimmon and Pobl as they work together to bring new, high-quality homes to Newport to meet the rising demand for housing in the city,” Cllr Batrouni said. “The Council is determined to ensure we bring a range of homes into place to cater to the different housing requirements of people across Newport, and this is a great example of how this is being brought forward in the city.”
Cllr Batrouni also highlighted the importance of housing developments that do more than just provide shelter—they create sustainable communities with access to green spaces, transport links, and public services.
A Blueprint for Future Development
As Glan Llyn continues to grow, stakeholders remain focused on maintaining a balance between private market sales and affordable housing delivery. The project is widely seen as a model for brownfield regeneration, turning a former industrial site into a vibrant, livable community with long-term economic and social benefits.
Persimmon’s next phases at Springfield Meadows and elsewhere within Glan Llyn will continue to include affordable components, supporting Pobl and other housing associations in their mission to provide homes that are truly accessible.
The development is also setting a standard for other regeneration projects across Wales. With a mix of architectural styles, landscaped open spaces, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, Glan Llyn demonstrates how thoughtful design and strategic partnerships can yield successful outcomes for both developers and the wider community.
