Work begins on new affordable homes in Morfa Nefyn

Work has begun on the development of nine affordable homes on the Maes Twnti estate in Morfa Nefyn. Cyngor Gwynedd held an event on site on 20 May to mark this significant milestone.

The project is part of the Council’s Tŷ Gwynedd scheme, which aims to tackle the housing shortage in the county and ensure that local people have access to high-quality affordable homes in their own communities.

The development will include four two-bedroom houses and five three-bedroom houses. The homes are intended to meet the needs of local people, especially those who find it difficult to buy or rent a home, but who may not qualify for social housing.

Representatives from Cyngor Gwynedd, Castlemead Group, Saer Architects and Wakemans, along with local Councillor Gareth Tudor Jones and Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, attended the event to mark the occasion.

Every Tŷ Gwynedd home will be built in line with the core principles of the scheme: affordability, adaptability, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The homes in Morfa Nefyn have been designed with local families in mind, with some properties capable of being adapted in the future to add more rooms if needed. These homes will be available to purchase through a shared equity scheme once they are ready.

This is the third development being built through the Tŷ Gwynedd scheme, with work already underway in Bangor, Llanberis, and now Morfa Nefyn. The aim is to build 90 affordable homes over the coming years, with further developments planned at other sites across the county.

The development forms part of Cyngor Gwynedd’s Housing Action Plan, which was developed to ensure that Gwynedd residents can access high-quality affordable housing in their own communities. The plan includes the delivery of more than 1,000 affordable homes, including the development of new homes through the Tŷ Gwynedd scheme.

The application system has changed

It is important to note that the way local residents can apply for Tŷ Gwynedd homes has changed. Applications for the homes can now be submitted directly to Cyngor Gwynedd as properties become available.

The Council has now started administering its affordable housing schemes directly through the Housing One Stop Shop, making it easier for residents to access housing services in one place.

Construction work at Maes Twnti is expected to be completed by summer 2027.

The Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Paul Rowlinson, said:

"I would like to thank everyone who joined us to mark this important milestone in Morfa Nefyn. We are determined to ensure that local people can find a suitable home in their communities by providing affordable, modern and high-quality housing. This project clearly shows that.

"The need for affordable housing in Morfa Nefyn is very high, as in many areas in Pen Llŷn and throughout Gwynedd, with the majority of local people finding it impossible to compete in the open housing market. In Morfa Nefyn, almost 75% of households have been priced out of the market, which shows the extent of the challenge we face.

"That is what makes the Tŷ Gwynedd scheme so important. We are not just building houses but investing in the future of our communities and ensuring that local people have the opportunity to live in quality homes, in a time where house prices have risen beyond the reach of many."

Bart Wilkins, Contracts Director from Castlemead Group said:

"Castlemead Group are delighted to have commenced the construction of 9 affordable homes for the client, Cyngor Gwynedd, under a Design and Build contract. Work is progressing well on the plot foundations with infrastructure work to follow soon.

"The new homes are designed for high thermal performance, helping future residents to save money on heating and energy bills while making the homes more comfortable to live in.

“We look forward to progressing the site through to the anticipated summer 2027 completion.”