Work begins on 152-home development in Abertridwr

Construction has started on a major housing development in Abertridwr, Caerphilly.

Working in partnership with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Welsh Government, not-for-profit housing organisation United Welsh has officially started work on the former Windsor Colliery site. This project will see the development of 152 new homes next to Ysgol Ifor Bach in Abertridwr.

The development will include houses and apartments available for social rent, affordable rent and sale. The homes will be entirely off-gas and built to the highest energy efficiency standards, helping to reduce the development’s carbon footprint and providing homes for residents that are cost-effective to heat.

The homes will be built by Celtic Offsite, a social enterprise within the United Welsh Group. Celtic Offsite will manufacture the timber frame structures from its factory in Caerphilly, with the homes being completed on-site by contractor M&J Cosgrove.

To celebrate the start of the work, United Welsh commissioned local illustrator Chris Morgan to work with pupils from nearby school Ysgol Ifor Bach to create a mural. The art celebrates Abertridwr’s history, its community and each student’s connection to the area.

The mural was revealed the students from Ysgol Ifor Bach in May, located next to the entrance of the school for children and parents to enjoy.

Key partners involved in delivering the project were recently invited to the site to see the development start to take shape.

Lynn Morgan, Executive Director of Development, Assets and Sustainability at United Welsh said: “This work marks the start of an exciting chapter for Abertridwr, and our largest development in Caerphilly to date.

“This isn’t just about delivering homes, it’s about growing the community and providing more high-quality, affordable homes where people can thrive. We’re pleased to see work begin on site and look forward to seeing the development come to life.”

Cllr Shayne Cook, Cabinet Member for Housing at Caerphilly Council, added “Decent affordable homes are the foundation to people’s lives.  We’re delighted to be working in partnership with United Welsh on this development, which will breathe new life into the site.

“I’d also like to thank pupils and staff at Ysgol Ifor Bach for their efforts, which ensure this development is at the heart of the community.”

The development is funded by Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant and the Cardiff Capital Region’s Viability Gap Fund, a £35m grant programme to bring forward stalled sites for development across the Cardiff Capital Region.

Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and CCR’s Portfolio Lead for Infrastructure, said: “This Windsor Colliery development is very welcome, and it is encouraging to see local organisations coming together to build affordable houses for our communities. CCR’s funding is an important element in bringing forward sites like this to deliver viable housing, and I look forward to seeing over 150 homes being built.”

Remediation works are currently taking place by construction company Prichard’s. Phase two will begin in early 2026, with the development expecting to be complete in 2028.