Trivallis and its partners have completed the construction of the government and council-funded development, which is a purpose-built accommodation in Llanharry to support adults with high functioning autism.
The keys to the five-bed residential property were handed over to Rhondda Cynon Taff council (RCT) and the Innovate Trust on September 28th following 10 months of intensive building and cosmetic work.
The one-story property was designed with accessibility as the main priority, to ensure its suitability for adults with moderate and severe learning difficulties. It has five en-suite bedrooms, one self-contained flat and all residents have access to a communal kitchen and two communal lounges, with a separate laundry area and a sensory room.
Jonathan Davies, Asset Regeneration Manager at Trivallis, said: “It will be fantastic to see how this innovative scheme is now used by its new residents. These schemes ensure that residents have access to the accommodation and support they need, and they can remain in their local area. The design of the building also means that it is extremely energy efficient, meaning the climate of the residence will be comfortable all year round for its residents.”
The design of the building brings a first for Trivallis, with the installation of a ‘green’ roof. This is a sustainable urban drainage system, which uses plants and other vegetation as a covering for the roof, to offset the increase of drainage that is required by the new, bigger footprint of the building. This has helped to ensure an EPC rating, which measures the property’s energy efficiency, of grade A has been awarded. Air source heat pumps were used to power the underfloor heating and electrics, car charging points were added outside along with solar panels and not using gas has all contributed to achieving this environmentally friendly rating.
Image reel of finished development
Windows in the property offer plenty of natural light and create a calming environment inside. Lindsay Tann, Behaviour Specialist at Swansea Bay University Health Board, explained that: “the environment where individuals live is a key part of primary preventative measures which will enable the service users to have an improved quality of life, and without this scheme may have had to live outside of their communities and away from families.
“The bespoke recommendations, which will meet individuals needs and preferences, have been taken into consideration when developing this scheme and adaptions which are required have been accepted and negotiated to ensure the safety of the individuals and staff.”
The partners involved in the redevelopment of the Elm Road property were crucial throughout the planning and building process. Adult Social Services worker Emma Furr, from RCTCBC, said: “the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working that has taken place to complete the Elm Road project has been an incredibly positive experience and is the way forward in ‘real’ partnership working for the future.
“Rather than agencies simply coming together at various stages and working solely in their own disciplines, the Elm Road partnership began at the very start of the project development and has evolved since. Working so closely from the start and throughout the development has meant that tenants specific needs have been understood from a health, social and housing perspective and that the service can truly be individualised and offer flexible, personalised, and tailored support.”
Six residents, who have been previously allocated the rooms, will begin moving in over the next four weeks. As they were selected early in the building process, small elements were able to be added to the inside to suit the needs of the residents, without impacting the timing or budget of the build. Additional doors, sensory lighting, and other specialist accommodations were able to be made to ensure the residents will be as comfortable as possible.
For more information on other Trivallis developments, visit www.trivallis.co.uk/en/development